Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
324. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the financial support that he is planning to put in place for HSE front-line staff who are suffering from long-Covid and who are now facing a financial cliff edge following the abolition of the special sick pay scheme recently; the reason that a safety net had not been put in place for such staff prior to 1 July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36890/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department engaged with the Health Service Executive and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) as a priority to develop a proposal for a scheme for public health service employees in respect of Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post COVID-19 infection, noting the change to Special Leave with Pay re Covid being introduced by DPER wef 1st July 2022.
An offer of direct engagement between the management side and the health sector staff representative bodies in respect of the Scheme has been made, and engagement commenced on 5th July, which I hope can be concluded quickly in order that eligible public health sector employees do not face any significant cliff edge in this regard.
It would be inappropriate to make any further statement on the matter until that engagement is concluded.
