For a certain cohort of employees suffering from long-Covid, a Special Scheme of Paid Leave for Employees Unfit for Work Post Covid-19 Infection, specific to the public health service was introduced on 1 July 2022. Prior to this date, this cohort of employees had been supported financially by Special Leave with Pay that was introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan and Reform (DPENDPR) at the start of the pandemic.This Special Scheme was due to conclude on 30th June this year. In recognition of this ongoing matter, sanction to extend the Special Scheme for a period of 12 months was sought from the DPENDPR, however the sanction provided was for a period of just four months to 31st October 2023.As my wish is to continue to support this cohort of health care workers, my Department sought approval from the DPENDPR to further extend the Special Scheme to end June 2024 in line with the original request to extend. Approval has now been received from DPENDPR to extend the Scheme to 31st March 2024, after which date, any employee on the Special Scheme remaining unwell, may utilise the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme thereafter.
In respect of the EU recommendation regarding the recognition of Covid-19 as an occupational illness/injury/accident, that is a matter for my colleague Minister Humphreys in respect of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, however it should be noted that the EU recommendation is in respect of Covid-19 and not long Covid, and Member States vary hugely in respect of the treatment of the recognition of the recommendation.
