Many other European countries have already awarded extra pay, or leave.
The Taoiseach has been urged to intervene to get recognition for Healthcare workers for their work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a joint letter to Micheal Martin from trade unions representing the workers, they called on him to immediately authorise the HSE and relevant Government departments to engage with the unions immediately.
The unions say staff morale is being impacted because of the Government's failure to offer extra pay or time off - something which has happened in many other European countries.
David Hughes, Deputy General Secretary of the INMO. says nurses and midwives have put themselves in harms way for the past 18 months.
And, he says, they need more time off
.