Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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366. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the special leave with pay scheme for healthcare workers affected by long-Covid is due to end on 31 December without a suitable replacement; if she acknowledges that directing workers who are on phased or part-time return-to-work programmes into the standard sick leave scheme will require them to go fully out sick in order to receive income, despite clinical guidance that phased return is the safest and most appropriate option; the measures that will be put in place to prevent affected workers from being pushed into financial distress and from losing progress made in rehabilitation; and if she will urgently revise the policy to ensure continuity of care for staff and patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64331/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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. 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. The HSE have confirmed that the portion of the week not worked may be covered by sick pay or paid annual leave (subject to the employee's consent).