Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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191. To ask the Minister for Health if Ireland will officially recognise Covid-19 as an occupational illness given that health workers make up an average of 10% of infections worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25760/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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This matter has not been considered, however in line with the detailed guidance and FAQs for Public Service Employers/Employees prepared by DPER, provision by way of Special Leave with Pay is applicable when an employee is advised to self-isolate and is displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or had a positive test.

As such, current provisions protects employees in these categories from having to utilise their standard sick leave for the period they are absent from work with Covid-19 or a related illness.

The majority of employees in these categories return to the workplace within a 14 day period.