Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 January 2026
152. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the loss of income faced by healthcare workers with long-Covid following the cessation of special Covid leave with pay on 31 December 2025; what this is estimated to be on average over the next year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2527/26]
View answerFollowing the cessation of the Special Scheme for Long Covid, the full provisions of the Public Sector Sick Leave Scheme will apply to anyone who remains unfit to return to work.
• The Public Service Sick Scheme provides for payment of 92 calendar days on full pay in a rolling one-year period followed by 91 calendar days on half pay subject to an overall maximum of 183 calendar days paid sick leave in a rolling four-year period.
• Furthermore, there is potential for access to additional sick leave benefits under the sick leave scheme in certain circumstances in the form of extended sick pay under the Critical Illness Protocol (CIP) and/or Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration (TRR).
• CIP can extend paid sick leave up to a maximum of double that available under ordinary sick leave (up to 12 months), subject to the normal CIP medical criteria and management approval on a case-by-case basis.
• An employee who exhausts sick pay may have access to TRR, which is an additional support payment that may be available to employees when sick leave at full and half-pay has been exhausted. Since 4 September 2023, TRR has been paid at the rate of 37.5% for all public servants for up to a maximum of 547 days, with the possibility of a higher rate for a period of five years under the pre-existing TRR rules for those who are entitled to same based on their duration of service.
• Under CIP, the TRR limit is extended, and this payment may apply for a total period of three years (1095 days) at the amended rate of 37.5%, subject to reviews at six monthly intervals. It is also a requirement of TRR approval that there is a reasonable expectation that the individual will return to work and will be able to give regular and effective service.
