Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I will go back to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, with the Deputy's concerns. It is so important that we acknowledge the extraordinary services of healthcare workers during the pandemic. They did a marvellous job and their work was incredible. They would have seen people dying during their work and, as the Deputy said, that probably has affected them. It is important that we work together on this. I will certainly raise the Deputy's issues.

As I said, the scheme is concluding on 31 December 2025, but I assure the Deputy that staff will not be left without support. They will transition into the public service sick leave scheme, with full access to supports that include temporary rehabilitation, remuneration and critical illness protocol. It is important to thank the healthcare services for the work they did over Covid. As I said, I will definitely go back to the Minister with the issues the Deputy raised and we will see what we can do from there.

See this speech in context