Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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1361. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware that people who have become ill and debilitated with long-Covid, contracted while delivering essential services during the pandemic, face the cut-off of their pay continuation scheme at the end of March; and if he can make arrangements to extend this cover. [12288/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme has been in place since July 2022 to provide special leave with pay for eligible staff in respect of Long Covid. Sanction to extend the Special Scheme has been granted a number of times by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR), however it will conclude as planned on 31st March 2024 and DPENDPR have been clear that no further extensions will be granted. Employees impacted by the conclusion of the Special Scheme will have received an individual notification of this from their employer.Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell after that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.