Written answers
Thursday, 7 March 2024
Department of Health
Covid-19 Pandemic
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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406. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline his plans to extend the special scheme of paid leave for healthcare workers suffering from long Covid; if he intends to extend or replace this scheme before it is due to end in March 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11392/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme has been in place since July 2022 to provide special leave with pay for eligible staff in respect of Long Covid. This Special Scheme has been extended a number of times, however it will conclude as planned on 31st March 2024 and no further extensions will be granted. Employees impacted by the conclusion of the Special Scheme received an individual notification of this from their employer 2 weeks ago.
Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell after that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.
The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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407. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 653 of 11 July 2023, if he will outline the planned revision of the model of care for long Covid; when the model of care was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11393/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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408. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 289 of 15 June 2023, the proportion of the €2.2 million allocated for the development of long Covid services in 2022 that was spent exclusively on long Covid services; the allocation drawn down by each clinic in 2022; the corresponding figures for 2023; the respective period of operation of each clinic; the number of new patients and recurring patients treated to date; the number of patients awaiting a first appointment in each clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11394/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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409. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 15 June 2023, the number of full-time posts allocated to post-acute and long Covid clinics, by clinic and speciality; if the position has been filled; if an offer has been made; if a recruitment competition is ongoing; if the HSE recruitment process has commenced in view of the emerging evidence on long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11395/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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410. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 291 of 15 June 2023, if he will outline the metrics at each clinic in 2022, including the number of new patients seen and the number waiting at the end of the year; the corresponding figures for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11396/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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411. To ask the Minister for Health the number of staff presently availing of the special scheme of paid leave in respect of long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11397/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
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