Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-26
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Kieran O'Donnell (FG), Limerick City

Once again, I thank Deputy O'Hara for raising this important matter. As I said, I am taking this matter on behalf of Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Calleary. The Government and I recognise the great work of healthcare workers during Covid and, in fact, the continual great work of healthcare workers.
As referenced in my opening statement on behalf of Deputy Calleary, the Minister for Social Protection, in November 2022 the European Commission made a non-binding recommendation on the recognition of Covid-19 as an occupational disease. The Commission did not make a recommendation in relation to long Covid. Recognition as an occupational disease confers different entitlements in different member states, with employers paying the compensation in some countries and social insurance systems paying in others. It is important to note that, even if Ireland did recognise Covid-19 as an occupational disease, this would not encompass long Covid and would only apply to new claims for new cases of Covid-19. As such, it would not benefit those who contracted Covid-19 during the pandemic. The Government acted early and without hesitation to support all workers who contracted Covid-19 during the pandemic. Workers outside the public sector could avail of an enhanced illness benefit payment and eligibility criteria were set to include the largest cohort of workers possible, including the self-employed. This scheme paid some 578,000 claims at a cost of €350 million. Special leave with pay for Covid-19 was also introduced for public sector workers. As mentioned earlier, the Department's range of income supports, including illness benefit and invalidity pension, at the same or higher rates of payment as payments under the occupational injuries benefit scheme, are available to people who cannot work due to the effects of long Covid.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-26/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:04+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-26