€2.1m in pandemic bonuses paid to Dept of Defence and Dublin Fire Brigade

East Cork Labour TD Seán Sherlock: 'This matter is dragging on for far too long. Workers who served at the front line during the pandemic were expecting this bonus well in advance of Christmas and many made plans for such.'  Picture:Gareth Chaney/Collins

Some €2.1m was paid in pandemic bonuses to the Department of Defence and Dublin Fire Brigade before Christmas, but thousands of other non-HSE healthcare staff are still waiting.

Only 53% of non-HSE health companies who applied for the bonus have now been paid, according to an update on the process from Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to East Cork Labour TD Seán Sherlock.