Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and congratulate him on his election. I look forward to working with him.

In November 2023, the Department of Social Protection published a report on the inclusion of long Covid in the occupational injuries benefit regulations. This report concluded that Covid-19 did not satisfy the statutory criteria for recognition as an occupational illness or accident at work. Specifically, it found that presumptions about workplace transmission would not be sustainable as it is not possible to establish with confidence that the disease has been contracted through a person's occupation and not through community transmission. This is because the data that was available showed that community transmission was the primary means of transmission. However, the Department of Social Protection's range of income supports, including illness benefit and invalidity pension, at the same or higher rates of payment as occupational injuries benefit, are available to people who cannot work due to the effects of long Covid.

With specific reference to employees in the health services the report found that the temporary scheme of paid leave for public health service employees was the appropriate channel through which a targeted sectoral support should be considered. A temporary scheme is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for public expenditure. That scheme has been extended a number of times, most recently to conclude on 30 June 2025. Any employee remaining unwell after that date may utilise the full provisions of the public service sick leave scheme which will provide further support.

I understand what people are going through with this condition. As a House, and as the Oireachtas, we should do more work on this condition and I look forward to working with the Deputy on that.

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