Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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333. To ask the Minister for Health the reason she will not extend the special scheme of paid leave for eligible public health sector employees suffering from long Covid; if she will replace this scheme with a long-term occupational illness scheme; the supports she will put in place for those who are on the special scheme, following its conclusion on 30 June 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25049/25]

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, it was extended for a further 12 months at the end of June 2024 on the existing terms for the existing cohort of employees already being supported by it.

The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) have been very clear that this was the final extension that would be granted, and as such, the Special Scheme will conclude on 30th June 2025.

Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell beyond that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.

Employees who did not qualify for the Special Scheme but are also impacted by Long-Covid may also utilise the supports of the sick leave scheme.

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.

My colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, has reviewed the EU recommendation in respect of the recognition of Covid (not long Covid) as an occupational illness, and determined that Covid does not meet the criteria required for recognition in respect of the Social Welfare Acts.