Taoiseach to Meet Unions on Long Covid Support for 150 Healthcare Staff

Union officials anticipate a breakthrough in support for approximately 150 frontline healthcare staff suffering from Long Covid, currently on half pay, following a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Thursday.

A special payment scheme, which previously kept affected staff on full pay, expired at the end of last year. Since then, many nurses and hospital staff who contracted Covid early in the pandemic have been on ordinary sick leave, providing full pay for three months and half pay for another three. From July 1, those still unable to work must apply for Department of Social Protection payments.

Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha noted the number of affected workers remains around 150 despite financial pressures. Taoiseach Martin acknowledged in February that these staff contracted the condition while working and committed to speaking with relevant Ministers. Ní Sheaghdha expressed optimism about Martin's willingness to explore solutions, suggesting existing Health schemes could be adapted.