Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. The Minister for Health has secured supports for eligible employees suffering from long Covid by way of the health sector-specific special scheme, which follows on from the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform's special leave with pay and that is for up to four years to date. I would also remind the Senator that this scheme has just been extended for a further 12 month period at the Minister's request. The public service sick leave scheme provides extensive and very generous supports for all workers who are unable to work due to illness and all of the various provisions of this scheme are available to provide support for many additional years to any employees who are not eligible for the special scheme. This is the case for all civil and public service employees.

Regarding the case of Fionnuala O'Brien that the Senator raised, the Minister for Health is aware of a specific case regarding a public health sector employee who did not qualify for the special scheme. I understand the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, met with Senator Gallagher to discuss the case and I understand that the individual in question contracted Covid a number of months after the qualifying date which was 84 days, the period commonly recognised as long Covid, prior to 7 February 2022. It is important to note that the full provisions of the public service sick leave scheme will have provided paid supports for a number of years beyond that available to essential workers from the private sector who were required to attend the workplace during high levels of community transmission of Covid. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to follow up with him. I understand the Senator had that meeting and that he would now like to have a follow-up meeting with the person in question. Every case should be treated with due care and compassion and I will ask the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, when I meet him on Wednesday to talk to the Senator directly to see if we can arrange that.