Minister for Health welcomes recommendation of the Labour Court regarding the Special Scheme of Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees with Long-COVID

The Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD has welcomed the recommendation of the Labour Court that the Special Scheme of Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees with Long-COVID which issued today, following a hearing that was held earlier this month.

There are approximately 159 employees currently on the Special Scheme, which was due to conclude on 30 June 2025. However, the Labour Court has today recommended a final extension of the current Special Scheme to run up to 31 December 2025. At that point, anyone remaining on the Scheme should transition to the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme.

The Minister fully supports the decision and will now move to ensure the scheme is extended as per the Labour Court recommendation. 

A temporary 12-month Special Scheme of Paid Leave was introduced in July 2022 for certain eligible public health sector employees suffering from long-COVID.

The intention of this scheme was to support those employees working in COVID-19 environments in the time before PPE and vaccinations were readily available.

Following conclusion of the scheme, any employees who remain unable to return to work will be supported via the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme.