Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The Deputy is correct in terms of the temporary special scheme having been in place since July 2022. It has been extended on a number of occasions, most recently in October 2023 up to 31 March 2024, and people would have received notification. People have been advised that they may utilise the full provisions of the public service sick leave scheme, which would provide further support.

The matter of the conclusion of this temporary special scheme has been the subject of a claim from the health sector staff representative bodies. The matter has been through the industrial relations machinery, WRC engagements and the Labour Court, with the Labour Court recommending that management meet with the staff representative bodies to explore the supports already in place that are available to those impacted by long Covid. A number of engagements have taken place to date between management and the staff representative bodies in line with the Labour Court recommendation. Hopefully, we might see some outcomes to that.

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