Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1094. To ask the Minister for Health the number of healthcare workers diagnosed with long-Covid who have been deemed unfit to return to work; the current arrangements in place to support them once the temporary Covid-19 illness scheme ends in December 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61941/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are currently 159 staff on the Temporary Special Scheme for Long Covid. After a hearing in the Labour Court in June, 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.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1095. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider recognising long-Covid as an occupational illness for healthcare and social care workers, in line with practice across several EU member states; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61942/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While the EU Advisory Committee on Health and Safety recommended the recognition of COVID-19 (not long-COVID) as an occupational illness in health and social care settings, recognition of COVID-19 nationally as an occupational illness falls under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection. After reviewing the EU recommendation, the Minister for Social Protection found that COVID-19 did not meet the requirements to be recognised as an occupational illness in the context of the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme and the Social Welfare Consolidation Act.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1096. To ask the Minister for Health the engagement her Department has had with trade unions and healthcare staff representatives regarding the planned cessation of the temporary Covid-19 illness scheme in December 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61943/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

After a hearing in the Labour Court in June, 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.

There will be no further extension to the temporary scheme and there has been no further engagement with the Trade Unions and the Department on the matter.

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. 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.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1097. To ask the Minister for Health the number of appeals or reviews sought by healthcare workers under the temporary Covid-19 illness scheme since its introduction; the proportion of these that were granted, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61944/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department of Health has no record of any appeals or reviews sought by Healthcare workers under the temporary Special Long Covid scheme. There are 159 staff on the scheme. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1098. To ask the Minister for Health if she has considered the serious concerns raised by healthcare workers affected by long-Covid regarding the planned ending of the current illness scheme; the steps she will take to ensure these frontline staff are not left without adequate financial or occupational support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61945/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell beyond the end of the Temporary Scheme for Long Covid (31st December 2025) 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.