Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-14
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Alan Dillon (FG), Mayo

I thank the Senator for raising this important Commencement matter, which provides an important opportunity to again acknowledge the very real and ongoing impact of long Covid on a small number of healthcare workers. I am, as the Senator said, taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who is acutely aware that, while the acute phase of the pandemic has passed, its effects have not disappeared for everyone. Recent public discussion, including media reporting on the lived experience of people affected by long Covid, underlines the complex, unpredictable and at times debilitating nature of this condition.
We cannot forget the enormous contribution of our healthcare workers who became ill while caring for the needs of others in extraordinary circumstances that continue to be deeply challenging. From the outset of the pandemic, exceptional measures were put in place to recognise the risks faced by healthcare staff, particularly during the period before effective personal protective equipment, PPE, vaccination and widespread community transmission were established. In that context, a temporary special scheme for long Covid was introduced in July 2022 for eligible public health sector workers. That scheme was unique to the health sector and has provided sustained support at full pay for almost five years through special leave with pay initially and then the special scheme itself. While the scheme was extended on several occasions at the request of the Minister for Health, the Labour Court ultimately recommended a final extension and the scheme concluded on 31 December 2025.
It is important to be clear that the conclusion of that temporary scheme did not mean an end to supports. Staff who remained unfit to return to work moved seamlessly into the public service sick leave scheme, ensuring continuity of income protection and access to further supports. Since the conclusion of the scheme, a significant number of staff have returned to work, including on phased return arrangements, while others continue to be supported through the sick leave scheme and related provisions. Under the public service sick leave scheme, staff may access paid sick leave and, where appropriate, further supports, such as temporary rehabilitative remuneration and the critical illness protocol.
In parallel, the health service continues to focus on supporting recovery and return to work, where possible, including through reasonable workplace accommodations and adjusted duties. The Minister is very conscious, however, that for some individuals their recovery has been slower and more uncertain than initially anticipated. In light of this, the Taoiseach met with health unions on Thursday, 30 April. Following that engagement, the Taoiseach asked the HSE to ensure that management discretion under the critical illness protocol is actively and compassionately applied in cases involving long Covid so that staff continue to be supported while the Government considers what further long-term measures may be appropriate.
This matter remains under consideration across the Government, including by the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Social Protection, with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Social Protection having met in recent weeks to discuss ongoing supports. They welcomed the progress to date, noting that a significant number of staff have been supported in returning to work, with others continuing to receive support through the public service sick leave scheme.
It is important to note that we need to keep those who are feeling longer effects in our thoughts in this time and to acknowledge the enormous contribution and service they have given to the State.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-05-14/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:57+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-14