Written answers

Tuesday, 8 November 2022

Photo of Marian HarkinMarian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1087. To ask the Minister for Health following an agreement of the EU Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work on the need to recognise Covid-19 as an occupational disease, if he plans to make Covid-19 an occupational injury in Ireland; the plans that are in place to support those suffering long term effects of Covid which was contracted in the course of their work during the height of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54861/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The EU Advisory Committee on Health & Safety have recently recommended the recognition of Covid as an occupational illness in health and social care, however Member States vary in respect of their treatment of Covid in this regard.

I am advised by officials from the Department of Social Protection who operate the national Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, that Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 and that they do not intend on revising this position.

In Ireland, all civil and public sector employees have access to DPER's Special Leave with Pay re Covid for the required isolation period only (currently 7 days) with effect from 1st July this year.

A temporary Scheme for Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection has been introduced for eligible public health sector employees in recognition of the increased level of risk faced by some of our staff in clinically exposed settings.  The Scheme is specific to the public health sector only, and will provide paid leave for an additional period to those who faced the highest risks at the most challenging phases of the pandemic.

The HSE have issued the full details of the Scheme to all public health service employers by circular, and employees who meet the criteria for eligibility for the Scheme will have transferred to the new Scheme retrospectively from 1st July 2022.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.