Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Thursday, 24 October 2024

Questions (353)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

353. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if HSE staff are entitled to an additional five days of sick pay if they contract Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43671/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

When the pandemic commenced in 2020, the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan and Reform (DPENDPR) introduced 'Special Leave with Pay for COVID-19' (SLWP) in lieu of sick leave for employees across the entire civil and public service with confirmed COVID-19 to assist in the prevention of the possible onward spread of COVID-19 in the work premises. This is a separate leave type to the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme.

The duration of this SLWP has been changed a number of times by DPENDPR since it was introduced. Currently this leave type applies only to newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 as per current public health guidance (currently 5 days stay at home).