Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. To be fair, he has been really consistent in raising it for many months now and in keeping the Government focused and under pressure in respect of an adequate response. The European Commission has made a non-binding recommendation on the recognition of Covid-19 as an occupational disease. It did not make a recommendation, however, regarding long Covid, which I know is the issue the Deputy primarily raises. The decision regarding recognition is a member state competency. It is important to note that recognition in Ireland would not encompass long Covid, would only apply to new claims for new cases of Covid-19 and would not benefit those who contracted it during the pandemic which is primarily the cohort mentioned by the Deputy. The report published by the Minister for Social Protection, and laid before the Oireachtas last November, found that Covid-19 does not meet the criteria for recognition as an occupational illness under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. Specifically, it found that presumptions about workplace transmission would not be sustainable on a general basis in the current environment.

The Government, as the Deputy will know, did an awful lot during the pandemic and subsequently in supporting people whose work was impacted by the fact that they had Covid for an extended period of time. We had an enhanced illness payment system and eligibility criteria that sought to maximise the number of workers who could apply for it. That scheme paid out some €788,000 claims at a cost of over €350 million. A temporary scheme of paid leave was also developed by the Department of Health for certain public health sector employees who were unfit for work after a Covid-19 infection. Special leave with pay for Covid-19 was also introduced for public sector workers. The Department of Social Protection continues to provide a suite of income supports for those who cannot work due to illness and disability, including those who have not recovered following a Covid-related illness. Covid-19, however, does not meet the criteria for recognition as an occupational illness under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. Specifically, presumptions around workplace transmission would not be sustainable on a general basis in the current environment where infection rates are low. In other words, there would not be not a sufficient level of proof that people got Covid through their participation in the workforce as opposed to getting it through community transmission. What I am saying is that various different Departments, including the Department of Health, the Department of Social Protection and my Department, are looking at ways in which we can respond to people who are unable to work due to extended illness linked to Covid. I accept that the Government needs to progress-----

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