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

I thank Deputy Ryan for raising this important issue. I will take this opportunity once again to acknowledge and pay tribute to the immense contribution made by our public servants, in particular across our health services, during the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. Their efforts ensured we kept services to the public and to the vulnerable in our society running, to the greatest extent possible, in the most challenging of circumstances. In recognition of this, the Deputy will be aware the Government provided for an additional public holiday earlier this year and a special recognition payment for healthcare staff, which is currently being paid to many of them.

Reflecting the obligations to self-isolate laid down in public health advice and to assist in the prevention of the possible onward spread of the virus in the workplace, special leave with pay for Covid-19 arrangements were introduced by my Department in March 2020. This was a temporary measure in response to the unprecedented circumstances presented by the Covid pandemic. Special leave with pay has been used in lieu of sick leave across the public service to assist in the prevention of the possible onward spread of Covid-19 in the workplace.

From the outset of the pandemic it has been made clear in the guidance and frequently asked questions document that was published at the time that special leave with pay is a temporary measure that is kept under regular review. Changes have been made to the arrangements over the course of the past two years in line with changes to public health, Government guidance, and the general return to the workplace.

It is important to note that special leave with pay is not ending. From 1 July 2022, special leave with pay for Covid-19 will continue to be available for the stated self-isolation period, which is currently seven days.

This is in keeping with the rationale of assisting in the prevention of the possible onward spread of Covid-19 in the workplace. I understand the Department of Health is working on a proposal to deal with legacy Covid cases in the healthcare sector. My officials will examine any proposals as soon as they are finalised. This issue has been raised directly with me by a number of colleagues across the House. The public service sick leave scheme continues in operation and in many instances the critical illness protocol will be relevant as well.

See this speech in context