Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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27. To ask the Minister for Health the action that is being taken to address the provision of services for persons with long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61024/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am very aware that Long COVID is having a devastating effect on people. To ensure people who need care will have access to it, the HSE has developed and is currently implementing a plan to provide Long COVID services nationally. 2.2 million has been allocated for 2022 and the investment in the service is due to treble to 6.6 million in 2023.

Implementation involves the expansion of existing services and the establishment of new services across a number of settings including GPs, community services and acute hospitals. The first priority is to ensure there are Post-Acute and Long COVID services operating within each hospital group.

I am advised by the HSE that to date, five Post-Acute COVID  clinics have been established, and four Long COVID clinics have been established under the new Interim Model of Care. Recruitment, which includes consultants in the areas of infectious disease, respiratory medicine, psychiatry and neurology, allied health professionals, and clinical psychologists and administration is underway. As of 1 November 2022, 25 dedicated WTE had been recruited. 

My Department and the HSE, will continue to review new national and international evidence, research and data on all aspects of COVID19 including Long COVID, as it emerges to inform service planning and delivery and ensure a national service is in place for all who need it .