Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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546. To ask the Minister for Health if there are any further plans to extend the scheme of paid leave for public health employees who are still unfit for work post-Covid 19 infections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53663/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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After a hearing in the Labour Court in June this year it was recommended that a final extension of the current Special Scheme to the 31st of December 2025, at which point anyone remaining on the scheme should transition to the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme.

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.