Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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198. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the sick leave entitlements of public servants who get long-Covid and if he plans to extend the leave period of support in light of the long-lasting effects which have been documented. [60850/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Public Service Sick Leave Scheme provides for the payment of the following to staff during periods of absence from work due to illness or injury:

A maximum of 92 days on full pay in a rolling one-year period 

- Followed by a maximum of 91 days on half pay in a rolling one-year period 

- Subject to an overriding threshold of 183 days’ paid sick leave in a rolling four-year period 

For those individuals who may become incapacitated as a result of critical illness or serious physical injury, and who have supporting medical evidence for an extended period of sick leave, they may, on an exceptional basis, be granted paid sick leave extended as follows:

- A maximum of 183 days on full pay in a rolling one-year period 

- Followed by a maximum of 182 days on half pay in a rolling one-year period 

- Subject to an overriding threshold of 365 days’ paid sick leave in a rolling four-year period 

The Protocol does not distinguish between critical conditions.  Access is based on the established criteria as per Part 4 of S.I. 124/2014 (Public Service Management [Sick Leave] Regulations 2014) and as laid out in relevant circulars.