Ms Phil Ní Sheaghdha:

I refer to the evidence we have received from our members who were Covid-positive. There is a scheme which allows for those workers to be paid while on sick leave. However, the premium payments due to them because they are healthcare workers were not paid so they lost money when they were out. They had to isolate in their own homes and they had to ensure that they were not mixing with their partners and children. It was extraordinarily difficult. Many of those workers informed us that it was a time they would never want to revisit in their working lives.

As to whether they felt supported, in fairness, and on balance, those who did have occupational health support, who were predominantly working in the public sector, said they received phone calls and follow-ups, and they were also provided with access to counselling helplines. To be honest, that scheme did not apply in the private sector. There is not a national occupational health department, but there is such a resource for the HSE. Those that work in the areas of mental health and intellectual disability noted in particular that they felt very much left alone.