Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Long Covid is very serious. It is a condition that the Government takes very seriously. We acknowledge how debilitating it can be for individuals in various circumstances. The truth is that we are learning more and more about it with each passing day. As I have outlined, in certain cases the special leave with pay applies for employees who suffer from long Covid. The particular context for that is where they had been in the work premises in the 14-day period prior to contracting Covid-19 so there is a demonstrable possible link between the contraction of Covid and their attendance at the workplace. In that scenario, the special leave with pay can continue for as long as necessary. I do not know if that applies in the particular case to which the Deputy refers. If it does not apply, the normal public service sick leave scheme kicks in. The latter has certain provisions relating to the number of days in a one-year period and over a rolling four-year period and so on for which people can be out sick and continue to be paid in full. If the Deputy wishes to send me the details of the particular case to which she refers, I will happily consider it and take it up with the relevant Minister.

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