Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1599. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if it is intended for Covid-19 to be considered as an occupational injury for those working in health, social and other care settings, in which infection risk is increased, as is the case in several other European Union member states. [42343/22]
View answer1600. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reason that the criteria in HR circular 22/2022, which relates to the new temporary scheme of paid leave for public health service employees who are unfit for work post Covid-19 infection, excludes employees who do not work in a Covid-19 exposed environment as defined in the Risk Assessment for Covid-19 Vaccination Guidelines for Healthcare Workers but who contracted Covid-19 in their workplace during 2020 and 2021; and if his Department will reconsider this exclusion given the number of healthcare workers impacted by long Covid. [42344/22]
View answer1601. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the action that has been taken by his Department and individual hospitals to provide support to employees who contracted Covid-19 in their workplace; and the supports that are provided to staff who contracted Covid-19 in their workplace and now live with long Covid. [42345/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1599 to 1601, inclusive, together.
Both the Government and I recognise that the staff of the public health service have gone beyond the call of duty, providing patient care in frontline Covid clinically exposed environments, treating Covid positive patients throughout the most challenging phases of the pandemic. Special Leave with Pay (SLWP) is available for the recommended isolation period, for public health sector workers who contract Covid. SLWP provides for paid leave, including full pay, any fixed allowances payable as well as premium payments.
For those who remain unfit to attend the workplace and are suffering from long Covid, a scheme, specific to the public health service has been developed to provide for Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection. This Scheme will ensure that eligible public health sector employees who remain absent from the workplace re long Covid, do not experience a ‘cliff edge’ in respect of the revision of SLWP provisions from the 1st July 2022. There is no proposal to change or extend the eligibility criteria of the Scheme.
The HSE have issued the full details of the Scheme to all public health service employers by circular, and employees who meet the criteria for eligibility for the Scheme will be notified promptly by their employer that they will transfer to the new Scheme retrospectively from 1st July 2022.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in respect of occupational supports being provided in this regard.
