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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020

Tuesday, 17 November 2020

Questions (780, 781)

Dara Calleary

Question:

780. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the sick leave arrangements for healthcare professionals in a circumstance (details supplied); if such staff should remain on Covid illness benefit or be forced to use their own illness benefit; if there is a national policy on same; if each hospital group has autonomy to make their own rules regarding same; the arrangements in place in the circumstance in which a staff member subsequently exhausts his or her illness benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36756/20]

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Dara Calleary

Question:

781. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the policy on sick pay for workers who have been diagnosed with long Covid; if there is a consistent policy across the HSE and all hospital groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36765/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 780 and 781 together.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) have prepared and circulated guidelines for public sector employers and employees in relation to Covid-19 hr issues, such as that which you have raised. These arrangements apply not only across the HSE and the Hospital Groups, but to all civil and public service employees consistently.

In line with that guidance document, Special Leave with Pay applies in lieu of sick leave for Covid-19 where an employee is required to self isolate and is displaying symptoms of Covid-19, or has had a positive test. While sick leave is not being utilised for these purposes, the general principles applying to the management of sick leave, for example the requirement of employees to contact managers, and for ongoing contact with employees who are on special leave for this purpose, do apply.

As stated within the DPER guidance document, public service employees who can avail of the special leave with pay for COVID19 are excluded from claiming the special DEASP COVID-19 illness benefit payment.

Full details from the DPER Guidance FAQs are available to view at this website:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0cfe6-update-24th-august-2020-to-guidance-on-working-arrangements-during-covid-19-for-the-civil-and-public-service/

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