Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
296. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will establish an occupational injury scheme for healthcare workers with long-Covid; if he his attention has been drawn to the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027 which recognises the importance of recognising Covid-19 as an occupational disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36945/22]
View answer328. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he intends to update the HSE terms and conditions of employment to include Covid-19 as an occupational disease or injury; if his attention has been drawn to the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027 which recognises the importance of recognising Covid-19 as an occupational disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36944/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 328 together.
I note the recent EU Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH) agreement in respect of COVID-19 in health and social care, and both the Government and I recognise the commitment shown by our public healthcare workers throughout the pandemic. They have gone beyond the call of duty, working in front-line COVID-19 clinically exposed environments, treating COVID-19 positive patients. Many of those front-line public health sector workers contracted COVID-19 and still remain suffering from long-COVID.
On that basis, it is my view that a special "Scheme of Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees with Long COVID" is merited for the public health sector, and this has been prepared and provided to the staff representative bodies.
Engagement commenced on Tuesday 5th July between officials from the Department of Health, the HSE and the health sector representative bodies regarding the special paid leave Scheme, and are ongoing.
