Teachers and gardai should get some of the proposed Covid-19 bonus payments for frontline workers because of their “extraordinary efforts” during the pandemic, unions have stated.
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) came together in a joint statement to ask for the extra money.
It was revealed last week that the Government plans to give frontline workers a bonus of some kind as a reward for their efforts during the last 18 months since the first Covid case was recorded here in March of 2020.
The three unions have said their efforts over that time, through remote working and keeping schools open have been key in meeting the needs of young children.
The statement read: "We would expect to be included in any discussions around the acknowledgement of workers’ contributions during the pandemic.
"Teachers’ extraordinary efforts — both face-to-face with their pupils in crowded classrooms and in the online learning space — have allowed schools to continue to prioritise teaching and learning while meeting children/young people’s needs," the unions added.
Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath has warned that the bonus could cost €1 billion.
Earlier this week, speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s This Week programme, AGSI General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham wants Gardaí to be brought into the bracket for bonus payments.
She said: “Gardaí have not formally, or informally been brought into the conversation yet.
"But of course, it’s our belief that we should be brought into that conversation given the service that we did provide over the last 18 months and still provide.
Ms Cunningham said that some member of the force were exposed to "some of the negative elements of society," and that there had been "increased anxiety and stress for the members of AGSI as they policed their way through a silent and deadly virus."
