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Pringle calls on Government to extend special leave with pay long Covid scheme for healthcare workers
- Updated: 6th March 2024
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has called on Government to extend the special leave with pay long Covid scheme for healthcare workers.
Addressing the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle said: “The Temporary Scheme of Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees Unfit for Work post COVID-19 Infection or Special Leave with Pay scheme is due to end on the 31st of March. Healthcare workers suffering with long Covid are devastated at this news as many rely on this support while recovering from an illness that they say has destroyed their lives.
“If the normal HSE sick leave scheme was adequate this decision wouldn’t be so devastating, but many of these long Covid sufferers would not qualify for Critical Illness Provisions and the Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration is only 37 per cent of their current pay without any pension benefits, etc.
“Many of these healthcare workers helped us in our time of need, when everyone else was forced to stay at home. It is now time that we return that favour,” he said.
The deputy raised the issue during Questions on policy or legislation.
Deputy Pringle said: “Will your government extend the Special Leave With Pay long Covid scheme for healthcare workers beyond the end of this month?”
In his response, Minister Simon Coveney said it was a matter for consideration by the Department of Health and the Minister for Health and said he will ask the Minister to come back to the deputy directly. Minister Coveney said they haven’t had anything in the context of a recommendation to Government in relation to the issue.
