The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform introduced COVID-19 Special Leave with Pay for all public sector employees at the start of the pandemic, as a temporary measure to assist in preventing the spread of the virus in the work premises.
I am aware that long COVID is an issue for a number of public health sector staff, who remain absent on Special Leave with Pay in respect of long COVID.
Officials in this Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will engage on this issue in advance of further changes being introduced in respect of COVID-19 Special Leave with Pay.
In respect of occupational supports available to support staff of the public health service who remain absent with long COVID, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.