Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
245. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will urgently reconsider the decision not to recognise Covid-19 as an occupational illness; to outline in detail the reason Ireland remains an outlier in the European Union, as one of only two Member States that does not formally recognise Covid-19 as an occupational illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70716/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Commission made a recommendation in November 2022 on the recognition of COVID-19 as an occupational disease. This was a non-binding recommendation and recognition of occupational diseases remains a Member State competence. 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. The level and duration of payments also vary greatly between Member States.
The Commission's recommendation was fully considered during the preparation of my Department's ‘Report on measures to include long COVID in the Occupational Injuries Benefit Regulations’. This report found that COVID-19 does not meet the criteria for recognition as an occupational illness under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.
The statutory criteria for Occupational Injuries Benefit require that the disease or injury was caused as a risk of the person’s occupation and is not a risk outside of that profession. Community transmission of COVID-19 became dominant by the summer of 2020.
Specifically, presumptions about workplace transmission would not be sustainable on a general basis in the current environment where infection rates are low. Therefore, it has not been possible since then to establish with confidence a general assumption that the disease has been contracted through a person's occupation and not through community transmission.
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. Thus, it would not benefit those who contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic.
My Department's report found that the Temporary Scheme of Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees was the appropriate channel through which a targeted sectoral support should be considered. This Temporary Scheme is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. The scheme has been extended a number of times, most recently to conclude on 31 December 2025. Any employee remaining unwell after that date may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.
My Department continues to provide a suite of income supports to those who cannot work due to illness and disability, including those who have not recovered following a COVID-19 related illness.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
