Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Government acted early and without hesitation to support all workers who contracted Covid-19 during the pandemic. Workers could avail of an enhanced illness benefit payment and eligibility criteria were set to include the largest cohort of workers possible, including the self-employed. The scheme paid some 578,000 claims at a cost of over €350 million.

A temporary scheme of paid leave was developed by the Department of Health for certain public health sector employees who were unfit for work after a Covid-19 infection. This scheme has been extended until 31 March 2024. Special leave with pay for Covid-19 was also introduced for public sector workers.

The European Commission has made a non-binding recommendation on the recognition of Covid-19 as an occupational disease. The Commission did not make a recommendation in relation to long Covid. The decision regarding recognition is for each individual member state. It is important to note that recognition of Covid-19 in Ireland would not encompass long Covid and would only apply to new claims for new cases of Covid-19. It would not benefit those who contracted Covid-19 during the pandemic.

A recent report, which we have published and laid before the Oireachtas, found that Covid-19 does not meet the criteria for recognition as an occupational illness under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. Specifically, presumptions about workplace transmission would not be sustainable on a general basis in the current environment when infection rates are low. The statutory criteria for occupational injuries benefit specify that the disease or injury was caused as a risk of the person’s occupation and is not a risk outside of that profession. Community transmission became dominant by the summer of 2020. Therefore, it has not been possible since then to establish with confidence a general assumption that the disease has been contracted through a person's occupation and not through community transmission.

The Department continues to provide a suite of income supports to those who cannot work due to illness and disability, including long Covid. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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