Written answers
Tuesday, 3 October 2023
Department of Health
Covid-19 Pandemic
Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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612. To ask the Minister for Health whether the special leave with pay scheme will be extended for those suffering from long-Covid; if the scheme is not extended, what payment will replace this scheme for people who still cannot return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42332/23]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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For a certain cohort of employees suffering from long-Covid, a Special Scheme ofPaid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection, specific to the public health service was introduced on 1 July 2022.
This Special Schemewas due to conclude on 30 June this year. In recognition of this ongoing matter, sanction to extend the Special Schemefor a period of 12 months was sought from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR) in April 2023. The sanction provided by DPENDPR was for a period of just four months.This extension was sanctioned by DPENDPR on a once-off basis and is restricted only to those employees who are currently availing of the Special Scheme. The Special Schemewill now conclude on 31st October 2023 in light of this.
I wish to continue to support the health care workers currently on the Special Scheme, and I have recently written to Minister Donohue again seeking his sanction to further extend the Special Scheme.
Any employees on the Special Schemewho remain unwell beyond its concluding date, may utilise the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme thereafter.
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