Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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155. To ask the Minister for Health given the paid leave for the public health service employees unfit for work post-Covid infection is due to finish in the coming months, if his Department has engaged with the relevant unions regarding the above payment ceasing; if he will outline the long-term plan for those currently in receipt of the payment who will not be able to return to work due to long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10427/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Occupational Injuries Benefit is an income support provided by my Department to those who got injured at work or travelling to and from work, or who contracted a prescribed disease at work. 

Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as it does not meet the criteria laid down in the Act.  Section 87 (2) of the Act states that a disease or injury shall be prescribed for the purposes of this section in relation to any insured persons, where the Minister is satisfied that—

(a) it ought to be treated, having regard to its causes and any other relevant considerations, as a risk of their occupations and not as a risk common to all persons, and

(b) it is such that, in the absence of special circumstances, the attribution of particular cases to the nature of the employment can be established or presumed with reasonable certainty.

The decision of whether to recognise an illness as an occupational illness is a Member State competence.  My Department is aware of the recommendation of the European Commission and is consulting with other relevant departments on the matter. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.