Until last December, affected healthcare workers were paid their full salary under the scheme, which has been extended several times.

Unions meet Taoiseach regarding Long Covid

by · RTE.ie

Healthcare unions have met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin regarding the ending of the 'special leave with pay' scheme for healthcare workers with Long Covid.

Until last December, affected healthcare workers were paid their full salary under the scheme, which has been extended several times.

When it ended in December, they moved onto the standard public service sick pay scheme, meaning three months full pay followed by a further three months on half pay ending in June.

Around 120 healthcare workers are now set to lose their ordinary sick pay, leaving many reliant on illness benefits which unions have said is not enough.

Representatives from healthcare unions including the INMO, SIPTU, Forsa and the IMO met with Mr Martin to discuss the matter today.

"Unions felt the meeting was positive and welcome the commitment to reviewing the application of the Critical Illness Protocol to allow further engagement on the substantive issue," a spokesperson said.

"Unions are looking forward to further positive engagement with the Taoiseach, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health," they added.