Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Hourigan for the very important points she has raised. I will pass them on to the Minister for Health. The Government recognises the significant role of public healthcare workers throughout the pandemic. They have gone beyond the call of duty, working at the front line, in clinically exposed environments treating Covid-positive patients in extremely difficult circumstances. Their efforts continue to be very much appreciated by the Government. Unfortunately, many front-line public health workers contracted Covid in the workplace and, as Deputy Hourigan has pointed out, some still suffer from the symptoms of long Covid. While the temporary scheme of paid leave for certain eligible health sector staff suffering with long Covid remains in place, the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is acutely aware that this scheme concludes in three months' time. He is also mindful that the criteria for the temporary scheme meant that not all staff who contracted Covid while working in clinically exposed environments were able to access the scheme. It is noted that many of our EU member state counterparts have adopted the EU Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work recommendation that recognises Covid as being occupational in nature in the health sector in their respective countries and have introduced the recognition of same. However, the recognition of same varies in the approach. The Minister for Health has asked his officials to consider the matter further in light of the treatment of the issue by his EU counterparts. He has also committed to providing support to impacted staff, as appropriate, in this regard.

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