Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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380. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the long Covid scheme for healthcare workers suffering from long Covid; if she is conscious of the need to ensure long term support for these front-line workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14714/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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In the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme was put in place for 12 months in July 2022 to support eligible staff who were impacted by Long-Covid. At the request of my Department, approval to extend the Special Scheme was granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) a number of times, most recently at the end of June 2024 when it was extended for a further 12 months on the existing terms for the existing cohort of employees already being supported by it. The Special scheme will end on the 30th of June 2025.

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.