Department of Health rules out further extension of long Covid staff payments scheme

There are about 120 people on the scheme, some of them nurses and other frontline workers believed to have contracted Covid in the course of their work.recently declined to recommend another extension or new scheme, one of a number of proposals unions representing staff across the sector had made, but suggested further engagement between the two sides and both have agreed to return to the WRC.

“At the request of the Department of Health this special scheme has already been extended a number of times, most recently in October 2023, when the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform granted a final extension, permitting the special scheme to run until 31 March 2024. DPENDPR have been very clear that this is the final sanction that will be granted, and as such the special scheme will conclude on 31 March 2024.

“The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.”

“What we have said is there are schemes to deal with blood borne conditions and injuries at work that provide more substantial benefits and that perhaps those could be accessed.

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