Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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155. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will extend the paid leave for public health service employees unfit for work post Covid 19 infection scheme beyond 31 October 31 recognising the severity of the illness and providing some comfort to those suffering from it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44170/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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A temporary, ring-fenced arrangement for certain employees in the health sector who were unfit for work post Covid-19 infection came into effect from 1 July 2022 for a period of 12 months.

In June 2023 an extension was granted for four further months, from 1 July 2023 to 31 October 2023.

Following this date, the default position is that individuals will move to sick leave arrangements. All illnesses are treated equally under the Public Service Sick Leave Regulations and equity is a fundamental part of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme.

The Scheme provides for the payment of the following to employees during periods of absence from work due to illness or injury:

• 92 days on full pay in a rolling one-year period
• Followed by 91 days on half pay in a rolling one-year period
• This is subject to an overall maximum of 183 days’ paid sick leave in a rolling four-year period.
• There is potential for access to additional sick leave payment in certain circumstances, either in the form of Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration or under the Critical Illness Protocol.
• In all cases access to these additional supports will be determined by local management, taking into consideration individual circumstances and a medical assessment by the relevant Occupational Health physician.
• Critical Illness Protocol (CIP) can provide for extended sick leave available up to a maximum of double of that available under normal sick leave conditions before Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration (TRR) might be available. TRR may also be approved for an extended period of up 2 additional years reviewed at 6 monthly intervals.