The overall approach to Covid-19 is the position as agreed at Government which involves discussion among all Government Ministers including the Minister for Health.
There are a range of income supports in place to support high risk persons that are cocooning and are in line with the stated health advice.
The enhanced illness benefit payment, payable to €350 per week, is available where a registered medical practitioner or a HSE medical officer of health diagnoses a person with COVID 19 or identifies him or her as a probable source of infection.
Where an employee is unable to return to the workplace as they are medically vulnerable and are considered very high risk or they need to cocoon for longer on the advice and certification of their medical practitioner as they may be more susceptible to contracting the COVID-19 virus they may apply for standard illness benefit which is payable at €203 per week for a single person. Increases may also be paid for qualifying adults and children.
Employees who cocoon without a medical certificate may approach their employer in relation to taking annual or other paid leave - this is at the discretion of the employer. The government has encouraged employers to support workers with leave requests at this difficult time and clearly those with underlying conditions should be facilitated where possible. The Return to Work Safely Protocol provides that if an at-risk or vulnerable worker cannot work from home and must be in the workplace, employers must make sure that they are preferentially supported to maintain a physical distance of 2 metres. However, employers should enable vulnerable workers to work from home where possible.
Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for financial support under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which includes access to exceptional and urgent needs payment.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
