Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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239. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she intends to reverse the cuts which cease substitution cover arrangements for short-term Covid-19 absences of teachers and SNAs in primary schools. [45296/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department’s Circular Letter 0038/2022 details the current COVID-19 working arrangements for teachersandSNAs employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary schools. This Circular is based on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s (DPER’s) ‘Guidance and FAQs for Public Service Employers during COVID-19 in relation to Special Leave with Pay for COVID-19.

Based on HSE advice, a person who begins to display COVID-19 symptoms or who has received a positive antigen/PCR test result must self-isolate and cannot attend the workplace. On this basis, COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay is available to a teacher or SNA who (a) begins to display COVID-19 symptoms or (b) receives a positive COVID-19 PCR/antigen test result. The current entitlement is 7 consecutive days in any one instance, which is the current HSE stated self-isolation period. Where a teacher or SNA has been granted COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay, the employer may appoint a substitute, paid by my Department. The terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme will apply where a teacher or SNA remains medically unfit for work immediately after the 7-day Special Leave With Pay period.

There are no other circumstances relating to COVID-19, where a teacher or SNA is required to absent themselves from the workplace. The arrangements relating to the application of COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay are temporary and will be kept under regular review by DPER.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she plans to reintroduce the extended Covid leave for school staff who cannot attend work as a consequence of long-Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45297/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On 27^thMay 2022, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) published updated ‘Guidance and FAQs for Public Service Employers during COVID-19 in relation to Special Leave with Pay for COVID-19 ‘. The DPER Guidance and FAQs apply to all civil and public service employees. My Department’s Circular Letter 0038/2022 titled ‘COVID-19: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Updated Working Arrangements for Teachers and Special Needs Assistants employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary schools’ published on 8^thJune 2022 reflects this DPER directive.

From 1^stJuly 2022, the COVID-19 Special Leave with Pay entitlement for school employees is 7 consecutive days in any one instance, which is the current HSE stated self-isolation period. The terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme will apply where an employee remains medically unfit for work immediately after the 7-day Special Leave With Pay period. From 1^stJuly 2022, an employee already absent on extended COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay (28 continuous days or more) and who remains medically unfit for work from that date, the terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme will apply.

The arrangements relating to the application of COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay are temporary and will be kept under regular review by DPER.