Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
842. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the steps being taken by her Department to ensure healthcare professionals suffering from long-Covid can qualify for a critical illness payment; if she is aware that there are currently over 150 such employees of the HSE suffering from long-Covid who have been deemed ineligible for this payment recently (details supplied). [51620/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Taoiseach met with health unions on Thursday, 30 April. Following that engagement, the Taoiseach has asked the HSE to ensure that management discretion under the Critical Illness Protocol is actively and compassionately applied in cases involving long COVID, so that staff continue to be supported while Government considers what further longer-term measures may be appropriate. Following this meeting the HSE issued a Circular to all staff managers advising that those applying for CIP in this cohort should have their application looked at favourably.
This matter remains under active consideration across Government, including by the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Social Protection, with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Social Protection having met in recent weeks to discuss ongoing supports; they welcomed the progress to date, noting that a significant number of staff have been supported in returning to work, with others continuing to receive support through the public service sick leave scheme.
