Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The temporary Special Leave with Pay scheme re Covid for all Public Servants ceased for all remaining absent with long Covid on 1 July 2022.

From 1 July 2022 Special Leave with Pay applies only to new cases for the period of COVID-19 self-isolation, and those remaining unwell and still absent from the workplace will move to the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme.

The Government and I recognise the role of our public healthcare workers throughout the pandemic. They have gone beyond the call of duty, working in frontline COVID-19 clinically exposed environments, treating COVID-19 positive patients. Many of those frontline public health sector workers contracted COVID-19 and still remain suffering from long-COVID.

High level engagements with relevant stakeholders concerning this issue took place in respect of a special pay arrangement for public healthcare workers remaining unfit for work for long periods post COVID-19 infection.

A Scheme of Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees with Long COVIDhas been prepared in this regard. Engagement commenced on Tuesday 5^thJuly between officials from the Department of Health, the HSE and thehealth sector representative bodies regarding the Scheme, and are ongoing with further discussion scheduled for this week.

It would be inappropriate to make any further statement while these engagements are ongoing, however it is my hope that the matter can be concluded quickly in order that those employees that meet the criteria of the proposed Scheme, can move to the Scheme promptly.

In line with standard sick leave arrangements, any employee remaining absent for 3 days or longer is required to apply for Illness Benefit from the Department of Social Protection, and to notify their employer of the rate of Illness Benefit they receive, in order for the employer to deduct that amount from the pay of the employee.