Wicklow Minister Launches First Women's Action Plan

The families of healthcare workers who died of Covid-19 after contracting it during their work are to get a tax free payment of €100,000.

Cabinet approved the measure this morning alongside a new Women's Health Plan for 2022.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre estimates 22 healthcare workers have died having contracted Covid, with most of those in the first year of the pandemic.

The estates of those workers will receive the €100,000 payment on top of any other payment they may have been eligible for.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly got Cabinet approval for the move this morning.

Cabinet also agreed the 2022 Women's Health Plan which sets out €31 million in spending.

Included is the funding for free contraceptives for 17-25 year olds from August.

Minister Donnelly says he wants to extend that to all women, but wouldn't commit to a date.

He's also said safe access zone legislation to ban protesting outside of heath centres which are providing abortions WILL BE PASSED THIS YEAR.