Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Figures provided to me by the Department show that up to last June, approximately 750 workers who contracted Covid and were out of work for over 12 months were in receipt of a social welfare payment. This does not include those who made a recovery from Covid and subsequently had a relapse of long Covid. We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg as regards this condition. This condition needs official recognition and needs to be defined as a prescribed illness.

If we continue to officially brush this illness under the carpet, then people will be denied the legitimate supports they need and we will not put in place an effective strategy to ensure as many of them as possible can return to work. That needs to be our priority.

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