Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Carlow-Kilkenny · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“There is nothing any of us in this House can say that can undo the pain, harm and loss experienced by those young boys, their families and the communities in which they lived, played basketball and worked. They have had to endure a lifetime of harm, many of them carrying their suffering in silence.”
“We are listening to you, we are learning and we are acting. All of us in this House have a responsibility to ensure that our child safeguarding systems are robust. We must ensure that if concerns are raised today, they are acted on without delay.”
“Today is a profoundly important and solemn day. I want to add my voice to the full and formal State apology and to acknowledge the courage, dignity and perseverance of those survivors who fought for truth and accountability for so many years.”
“I thank the Deputy for highlighting this very important issue and the 161 recommendations. First, I thank the Joint Committee on Drug Use for its work. I welcomed the report and I am in agreement with many of its recommendations. As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this year I published a draft of the national drugs strategy.”
“The Bill and the secondary legislation, training and clinical protocols that will follow it will support the terms and conditions for this service, as laid out in the community pharmacy agreement. All secondary legislation will be in place before commencement and launch of this measure.”
“No. I thank the Deputy again for her work on the drugs committee. The vast majority of the 161 recommendations will be in the new drugs strategy but one of the recommendations was on the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. It falls under section 3. That legalises drugs. It is important we tell the people of the concern.”
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“In the meantime, I am aware there are two existing 24-7 RRVs operating out of the Merlin Park base in Galway, as well as from Recess and County Roscommon on a dynamic deployment basis. The HSE has also advised that it intends to increase capacity its West and North-West region with an additional NAS helicopter emergency medical service, HEMS, to be established in 2026. This will increase HEMS coverage for patients in the west and north-west of the country and improve access for rural and isolated patients to care. This is about them ultimately. I am also informed an additional 23 paramedics are scheduled to be deployed to the HSE West and North-West region, including in County Galway, this month to provide additional front-line capacity.”
“This represents an overall growth in staff of 558 or 29% since 2020, of which over 85% are engaged in direct patient care roles. In response to the specific matter raised by the Deputy, I am aware this matter has been raised by him previously several times. In fairness to the Deputy, I was looking today and he has put in several parliamentary questions on this through 2025, so I can see he is very passionate about it. I know from working with the ambulance paramedics that they excel at what they do and they do great work, so it is important we recognise them here. I am informed by the NAS that while there was no provision to consider this in 2025, the HSE will reconsider development of this service as part of the ongoing HSE national service planning process for 2026. This is what I have been told today.”
“On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, I thank Deputy O'Hara for the opportunity to respond on the topic of a 24-hour NAS rapid response vehicle at Tuam ambulance base. I assure Deputies the Government remains absolutely committed to investing in increasing capacity in our National Ambulance Service. The NAS allocation for 2025 includes €8 million for new service developments to provide up to 180 additional staff. This investment is focused on the provision of additional front-line emergency ambulance capacity, further expansion of NAS alternative care pathways and growing specialist service capacity, including critical care retrieval and aeromedical services. Continuous increases in Government investment in the NAS has raised total NAS staffing at the end of October 2025 to 2,486.”
“The Minister has agreed that the IPU needed to engage further with its membership to clarify the situation and that the community pharmacists need to do further work with their patients, especially their most vulnerable patients, to clarify the supports available to them and determine the best way of safely complying with their medicine-dosage regime. It is important we clarify the information. I assure the Senator the Minister will come back to her on this.”
“We do need to clarify this. As the Minister said, it will be quarter 1 of 2026. She has said the community pharmacy agreement 2025 does not remove the phased dispensing. We will check what is on that list. The rule changes around phased dispensing were introduced to deal with a situation where significant expenditure was being incurred by the State. It was not intended for purposes outside the contracted arrangements, with limited evidence of effectiveness. In her statement of 12 December, the Minister noted the community pharmacy sector is under particular pressure at that moment, with an earlier than expected start to the flu season, as we are all aware of now, delivering vaccinations and preparing to establish the new common conditions service, which is really good and I am sure the Senator agrees with that.”
“In the context of the negotiation of the community pharmacy agreement 2025, the first such contractual negotiation with the sector in 30 years, the State used the opportunity to negotiate and agree improved controls to further reduce inappropriate claiming for monitored dosage systems as phased dispensing. However, the Minister for Health last week agreed to pause the changes in the phased dispensing control mechanisms until the end of quarter 1 of 2026. The Minister has been working on this for the past few months.”
“Claims for blister packing are not reimbursable by the State and this has not changed. The rules for phased dispensing have been set down in several HSE pharmacy circulars, and any claims put through for blister packing under the phased dispensing arrangements have been inappropriate claims. Charges for blister packing currently vary between pharmacies and this is a matter for them as private businesses. Some pharmacies do not charge for this service. Community pharmacies use different methods to assist their patients, including counselling, reminder charts, the Know Check Ask system with the HSE and tools like pictures or large-print labels and alarms. These are used in particular for older people, people with disabilities and people with multiple conditions to ensure that they manage their medicines safely.”
“However, a practice has built up in some pharmacies where the use of monitored dosing systems is being charged as if for phased dispensing. The State has never agreed to this inappropriate claiming. Significant expenditure was being incurred by the State that was never intended and for a purpose outside of the contracted arrangements, with limited evidence of effectiveness. The introduction of improved controls around phased dispensing is being done in a way which puts patient safety first and allows the State to repurpose funding to be used to implement new patient-centred services. It remains open to pharmacies to charge patients or not for the use of monitored dosing systems as a private service, as many currently do. Phased dispensing supports have only ever been in place for medical card holders.”
“The supply of medication in instalments can support patients using certain high-risk medications who are at risk of accidents if these medications were to be supplied on a monthly basis, as is the norm under the community drug schemes. The community pharmacy agreement does not remove phased dispensing. These medicines will continue to be supported by phased dispensing and fees will continue to be paid. On the other hand, monitored dosing systems, which are sometimes referred to as blister packs, are systems that allow the individual doses to be organised according to the prescribed dose schedule. As noted earlier, the State has never agreed to fund monitored dosing systems and there has never been a fee associated with them under the pharmacy contract.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this matter and for giving me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, to clarify the position on the phased dispensing and monitored dosage system, which is also known as blister packs. I wish to clarify that phased dispensing and monitored dosage systems and blister packing are not the same thing. While the State has supported phased dispensing under the community pharmacy contract since 1996, it has never supported monitored dosage systems. The State supports phased dispensing for patient safety reasons and will continue to do so. Community pharmacies receive additional fees for this service.”
“It is important that when a pharmacy charges a fee for any professional service, it provides updated information to patients in line with the new pricing transparency guideline, which came into effect on 1 December. I want to reassure the House that the Department, the HSE and the IPU will continue to engage, including on two new collaborative structures to support any clarifications required, and, importantly, to ensure the success of the new pharmacy agreement. Older persons counselling, Age Friendly Ireland and carers were mentioned. It is important that everybody works together and no misinformation is given. I thank the Deputies. It is a really important issue and it is important that we have these few months and that the proper information is given.”
“Phased dispensing and the supply of medicines in monitored dosage systems are separate and distinct with one being State supported and the latter being a private service. In her statement on 12 December, the Minister noted that community pharmacies are under pressure at the moment with an earlier than expected start of the flu season. At the moment, we see all these incidences of flu. They are also delivering vaccinations and preparing to establish the new common conditions service. I know the Minister has been working extremely hard on this. The Minister agrees that the IPU needed to engage further with its membership to clarify what the community pharmacists had to do on further work with their patients, especially the most vulnerable, to clarify these supports. It is all about getting information out there.”
“There is very good evidence relating to true community pharmacy intervention, including patient counselling when a new medicine is prescribed or for high-risk medicines or when prescriptions are changed or just discharged from hospital medicines, so that the pharmacist can really support people to understand and use their medicines appropriately. We understand the role of the pharmacist and the pharmacies and the work they do. It is important to highlight that tonight. Phased dispensing is not being withdrawn by the community pharmacy agreement but there will be improvement controls around phased dispensing in order to put patient safety first and to allow the State to look at the funding to be used to implement new patient-centric services.”
“All of these are aimed at improving understanding of the medication. There are lots of ways that pharmacists can help patients. It does not always come down to the blister packs. International evidence will show that blister packaging to maintain compliance is always supported so we need to look at the evidence as well. That is something we will be addressing, along with how we all work together. All of us here want to help the most vulnerable in our community - the people who need these supports - and that is what we are here to do.”
“The one thing we have learned from today is that we need to make sure that the proper information is out there and that we deliver it. We do not want to frighten people either. We are all very mindful of people who are very vulnerable and that will definitely be considered. I have no doubt about that. Concerned members of the public and their families and carers should realise that their local community pharmacist is the expert in their medication. They have the expertise and they are so approachable when someone wants information or advice. In line with the pharmacy contract, the regulatory framework and the service provided by pharmacists and pharmacies can assist patients through counselling, reminder charts, the Know Check Ask system with the HSE and tools like pictures or large-print labels and alarms so there are ways to help.”
“A key pillar of this is that a dedicated fund has been allocated to progress opportunities to improve or expand community pharmacy services in relation to medicines. The aim is to examine and test new value-added services in the community pharmacies to support patients with management and safe use of their medicines. This new, structured, collaborative process will help to design and deliver evidence-informed, high-impact medicines optimisation services to patients and support future opportunities for services investment. The strategic collaboration group will be tasked with exploring the best way to utilise this fund. The Government is keen that the public is not misled in regard to the way that changes are going to happen. Deputies have spoken about phased dispensing and how it is reported.”
“It was for this reason that, during the negotiations for the 2025 community pharmacy agreement, when monitored dosage systems were discussed it was agreed not to change their status. Inappropriate claims for monitored dosage systems as phased dispensing represents a significant opportunity cost for other patient safety and clinical services. Under the landmark community pharmacy agreement, a new strategic collaboration group will be established in early 2026. This will provide a structured forum for joint consideration of a strategic issue shaping the future of community pharmacy in Ireland. That is what Deputy Toole spoke about. This will be really important. A new strategic collaboration group will be established in early 2026 to provide a structured forum and I think that is the way forward.”
“It has always been a private service and we have heard the range of prices, if any, that pharmacists charge their patients. The State has never agreed to fund this monitored dosage system or blister packing. The HSE has consistently taken steps to inform the community pharmacists of this important distinction. The IPU is also aware of this issue and in March 2025, it published an article making it clear to its members that blister packing is not the same as phased dispensing and is not reimbursed by the State. While monitored dosage systems may have a role for some patients, there is significant uncertainty around the robustness of the evidence supporting this.”
“I thank all the Deputies for their contributions today, particularly Deputy Toole for her knowledge. What she spoke of was very informative for me. I know some pharmacists in my own area of Carlow and I can only say their work and commitment to the people in the area is brilliant. First, I thank Deputies again. I know that the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has outlined that the proposed changes to phased dispensing have been paused until the end of quarter 1 of 2026. This pause was agreed to allow the IPU and its members to have more time to engage with patients in a structured way over the next three months. Charges for blister packing are currently a matter for individual pharmacies providing that service as a private business.”
“Again, Senator Conway has my full commitment that I will highlight the urgency of considering this matter with the Minister.”
“To protect the public from serious outcomes of diseases, vaccines included in the national immunisation programme are administered free of charge to those in eligible at-risk groups. More generally, I urge all those eligible for any vaccine under the national immunisation programme, at all stages of life, to avail of the opportunity to be vaccinated. This discussion is timely as the flu and Covid-19 vaccination programmes are under way for the winter season. All those who are eligible for a free vaccine should make an appointment to receive it. I also encourage all parents to bring their young infants to their GP for their important childhood immunisations. These measures will help us reach the shared objective of protecting public health by preventing the spread of disease in our community.”
“I assure the Senator that I will speak to the Minister for Health about this. The Department has indicated that the introduction of the single vaccine to the immunisation schedule in Ireland can be reconsidered if and when the cost-effectiveness of the vaccine is confirmed as being more favourable. I give the Senator my word that I will go back to the Minister because this matter is important. Over the years, I have known people who got shingles. They were very sick and suffered a lot of pain so I understand the importance of a vaccine. Senators will be aware that the immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of NIAC. The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of a disease in Ireland and international best practice.”
“Given that the healthcare budget is finite and decisions regarding spending in one area could impact the provision of other health technologies and treatments within the healthcare system, the cost-effectiveness must be considered in any decision-making process. The Department has considered the findings of this HTA and determined that the introduction of the vaccine could be reconsidered when the cost-effectiveness of the vaccine is confirmed as being more favourable. This is the answer given to me by the Department.”
“This HTA examined the evidence on the safety and clinical effectiveness of shingles vaccines. The cost-effectiveness and budget impact were also reviewed, in addition to the ethical and organisational consequences of including the vaccine in the adult immunisation schedule. HIQA’s HTA was published on 19 July 2024. The HTA found that including the shingles vaccine in the routine immunisation schedule, at the vaccine price at the time, for all adults aged 65 years and over would not be cost-effective and would have a substantial budget impact. However, it found that it could be cost-effective for vaccination of those at 75 years and 80 years if the cost of the vaccination was reduced by 80%. This is what we need to address.”
“In advance of any change in policy, and this is what we need to address, the Minister can request that the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, carry out an evaluation of the impacts of a potential policy change. These evaluations take the form of health technology assessments or HTAs. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner. The use of the HTA facility assists decision-makers in assessing the merits and potential shortcomings of a new health technology, policy or service based on accurate and reliable evidence. The Minister for Health can advise that, following a request from her Department, HIQA carried out a HTA on the vaccine which protects against shingles.”
“I thank the Senator for highlighting it. Public transport for any age is in the programme for Government and there has been a lot of investment in it. I understand the Senator's own area. I can see it in my own constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. I am always working to see whether it can be changed and if we can look at train times or get extra carriages. I see the need for that. The one thing I can assure the Senator is that the Government is committed to working on the areas we need to address. I will definitely go back to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, on this really important issue. I might set up a meeting between the Senator and the Minister to try to sort out the issues. I thank the Senator because it is a really important issue that we try to work on for young people.”
“The young adult card is available to all young adults aged 19 to 25 and the student Leap card is available to full-time students aged 16 to 18 and those aged 26 and over. To qualify, students must be in full-time education or training for at least 16 hours per week. Any student who meets the criteria, supported by a valid student ID indicating full-time status or a letter from their institution, will be issued a student Leap card. The NTA encourages all customers to use the TFI Leap card to ensure they receive the best possible value on fares. Leap card users can save up to 30% compared with paying with cash, making it a more cost-effective option for the regular traveller.”
“To support this objective, in budget 2026, the Department of Transport has secured €940 million of funding for PSO and TFI Local Link services, providing a significant increase of 43%. The allocation further supports subsidised bus and rail services across Ireland, as well as maintaining targeted fare initiatives such as the recently introduced free travel for all children up to the age of nine and the young adult card, as part of the NTA's national fares strategy. In relation to the Senator’s specific query regarding the need to extend Leap fare access to students, I would like to clarify that there are currently two Leap card options available that offer 50% discounted travel for young people and students. The Senator is probably aware of this.”
“I see CIÉ will soon be seeking planning permission to expand the port and develop a landmark facility for offshore wind energy. This will be a huge investment in the south east. Again, this is really important. I believe too that offshore wind energy is the way to go in increasing our energy capabilities. All this is backed by the unprecedented investment in infrastructure under our national development plan and the infrastructure report. These are just excellent. I know we have a lot to do and we need to build a lot, but I do believe the Government is going to make those changes in line with the commitment they have given.”
“I was a county councillor for many years, so I really do appreciate this. I see the work they do. I ask that this be done as soon as possible. The Minister knows himself that local authorities and local representatives play a huge role in towns and counties and can be so effective as leaders. They are leaders in community engagement and championing local authorities. Within my own remit, I will mention that in my own area, the Department of Health, I have also secured some funding in the budget for healthcare initiatives for people in emergency accommodation, having worked with the Minister on this issue. We also need to look at services for the vulnerable. This is within my area. I know the Minister has been very supportive of me doing this. The really good news today came when I read about Rosslare-Europort.”
“The only issue I have is that maybe we need to look at our local authorities on the timeframes for empty houses in our towns and villages and in our stock. Carlow is now a university town and county. Like other university towns, we know the value colleges and students bring to the local communities and our economy. I ask that student-specific accommodation would be a priority. I know student accommodation is a topic the Minister has spoken about many times, but we feel in my home town of Carlow that too many students face long commutes that impact their studies and social life, as well as taking away from the towns and cities where they are studying. Again, I know this is something the Minister is addressing and I welcome it. The programme for Government commits to re-establishing town councils on a phased basis.”
“I welcome that and I know it has done that. I wonder, though, if it could look again at the hike in the price of materials, because this means people are finding it difficult between quotes and the grant value. Maybe this is another issue the Minister might come back to me on again. Our local authorities need resources to deliver on all this. I know the Government has funded extra staff in local authorities. I thank the Minister for it. I also know this is something he has worked on and I ask that this continue. I again have to mention my own area. This is why I felt it was important to come in today and ask the Minister about this issue. I want to talk again about dereliction in housing. I know a lot of work has been done over the last year. I can see it as well.”
“Serviced sites across the country, including in my own area of Carlow-Kilkenny, need to be developed as soon as possible by local authorities for a mixture of homes. Sites should deliver homes for those on the social housing list and those looking for starter homes, as well as our older people and those with disabilities who need different housing options. I welcome the Minister's opening statement when he spoke about this issue and his commitment to it. This is really welcome. This does show the Government's commitment to housing and working to find and get everyone a home. This is so important. We also need to look at the waiting list for grants. I just wanted to bring this matter up in respect of the housing adaptation grants. I have spoken to the Minister about it. I know the Government has increased the funding.”
“I particularly welcome the commitment in the plan to deliver 12,000 new social homes every year. This is critical. We have to focus on starter homes and affordable housing. I know these are a priority for the Minister and that he is very much committed to delivering them. I welcome that. Like other TDs, though, I have received lots of contact from people who are working and do not qualify for either the local authority housing list or a mortgage. These people are caught in the middle. It is an area I know the Minister is addressing and I welcome it. The other issue is the lack of supply of rental properties. It is very challenging, but I do welcome the increased protections for renters. It is really important alongside the increased supply the Minister is committed to.”
“I welcome the publication of the action plan on housing and the target to deliver 300,000 homes through a whole-of-government approach. It is ambitious but appropriate. We need ambition. Housing affects everyone in society, whether someone waiting on a local authority housing list, a young person hoping to buy or older people looking for more suitable housing. This issue is urgent. In my area of Carlow-Kilkenny, I meet constituents every week. Single people are finding it very hard to get one-bed houses or one-bed apartments. I know that is a priority for the Minister. It is urgent across all of society that we build as many homes as possible and have as much supply of housing as we can. It is also very important that we work with our local authorities in improving housing delivery.”
“I thank the Deputy again for bringing this important issue up. I assure the House that I understand, as the Deputy said, how important it is for all persons with mental health difficulties to have the relevant mental health services in place from the HSE in the location that best suits their needs. The Deputy mentioned the four centres and that they should be based in different areas. I will check that out with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. I will also check the site with the HSE. The Deputy said Erkina House is a HSE site. I will also speak to the Minister of State and Department. I assure him someone will come back to him with this information. I note this is a priority for Deputy Butler and I will go back to her with the Deputy's concerns.”
“The HSE has provided assurance to the Department as to the service provision for the existing residents to properly meet their needs. I will not go over these details as the number of people involved is so small that they could be identifiable. The HSE aims to re-provide this service and provision for community-based high support which will be managed in existing alternative mental health residences located within the integrated healthcare area.”
“An independent review was commissioned by the chief officer in the HSE Midlands Louth Meath community healthcare organisation in 2022. The review was completed on the basis of a potential move of services to another location in County Offaly. This is no longer an option being considered by the HSE. The review strongly recommended that the views of residents on their future service provision be the focus of decision-making. This person-centred management model has been undertaken by the HSE which indicated that the remaining residents wish to move to other long-term care facilities in their community. The HSE has advised the Department that this property is not suitable for upgrade and adaptation and accordingly no new admissions will be undertaken.”
“Erkina House has provided much-needed mental health support to many people over two decades. However, it is not the type of mental health service we would build today and there are documented issues with the configuration of the building as a mental health service. The HSE has been actively engaging in working towards a solution that meets the long-term care needs of the service users remaining at the facility. The HSE has advised the Department of Health that Erkina House would be significantly non-compliant with forthcoming Mental Health Commission community residence standards and a significant level of investment would be required to develop Erkina House to achieve the additional regulatory standards required.”
“I thank the Deputy from my neighbouring county for raising this important matter. It is a key priority for the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who, unfortunately, cannot take this Topical Issue, and for the Government that people experiencing mental health difficulties receive the appropriate level of care they require in the most suitable location in the community that best meets their needs. Achieving this involves reform of mental health services and developing fit-for-purpose community services that meet people's needs into the future. This is supported by substantial investment in mental health services each year. Erkina House is operated by the HSE as a fully staffed community mental health residence. The HSE has advised the Department that there are three remaining residents supported at this residence.”
“He can be assured I will be talking to the Minister, as I know Deputy Cahill will be as he is her party colleague. I will ask and find out about the HSE's property purchase for respite. I will check that out for the Deputy and make sure that comes back from the Minister's office. HSE south west has advised it is aware of the importance and value of respite. The HSE's 2026 national service plan will provide greater detail on expected delivery for 2026. That is expected to be published in the coming months. I will keep the Deputy updated and I thank him for highlighting this important issue.”
“I can see and hear the passion. The Deputy is right that respite is absolutely crucial for families, whether it is children or adults. I thank him for raising this and can assure him the Government is committed to the continued expansion and development of respite services as set out in the programme for Government and the new National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. To support the HSE in its work to provide and develop respite services in recognition of the importance of support for disabled people and their families, budget 2026 has provided significant additional funding to support respite service expansion in 2026. I assure the Deputy that this is crucial, and I honestly take what he is saying on board.”
“The adult north Kerry respite house has been allocated additional funding to enable the service to operate on a full-time basis, seven days a week, to ensure the service is utilised to its full capacity. Additionally, several families have been provided with bespoke respite arrangements to support them in response to specific challenges. In terms of future developments, the HSE is progressing on property purchases for respite and residential services in the Tralee area. Additionally, proposals to the capital plan 2026 have been made by HSE South West disability services to fund a number of new-build residential and respite units.”
“The HSE advises that the number of people a respite centre can accommodate at any given time is not fixed as it varies according to the complexity of clients’ needs. Within each centre, groupings and occupancy are determined by both client compatibility and the level of support required to ensure safe and appropriate care. Within that context, HSE South West disability services confirm that in County Kerry, there have been no unplanned closures of existing adult respite beds at any point during 2025. HSE South West disability services are unable to provide a definitive number of respite beds required in Kerry as the allocation of respite beds is based on a number of different factors, although it is accepted that demand is high. In Kerry, there have been two recent developments in respite provision, one for adults and one for children.”
“HSE South West disability services provide a range of respite models for children and adults. These include residential overnight respite centres, after-school clubs for children and young people, in-home respite support for children and adults, outreach day respite supports and holiday breaks for adults. These options ensure that respite is provided in the manner that best meets the needs of people and their families or carers. Currently, there are approximately 2,800 respite bed nights for children and 4,200 respite bed nights for adults every year. This is of course subject to some variations according to the needs and compatibility of the adults and children availing of these services.”
“I thank the Deputy. The Minister thanks Deputy Cahill for raising this important issue and for offering her the opportunity to respond. Respite is a vital support for families and service users and potentially helps prevent out-of-home full-time residential placements, preserves the family unit and supports family stability. In regard to respite services within Kerry, the situation is as follows. HSE South West has made significant additional investment in respite provision in recent years. In 2024, regional health area HSE South West, which extends to the Cork and Kerry area, provided 17,181 respite overnights and 2,833 day-only respite sessions and supported 760 people with a disability. The type and quantum of respite have been increased each year to meet the assessed needs and preferences of as many people as possible.”
“As I said, I will definitely go back to the Minister with the issues the Deputy raised and we will see what we can do from there.”
“I will go back to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, with the Deputy's concerns. It is so important that we acknowledge the extraordinary services of healthcare workers during the pandemic. They did a marvellous job and their work was incredible. They would have seen people dying during their work and, as the Deputy said, that probably has affected them. It is important that we work together on this. I will certainly raise the Deputy's issues. As I said, the scheme is concluding on 31 December 2025, but I assure the Deputy that staff will not be left without support. They will transition into the public service sick leave scheme, with full access to supports that include temporary rehabilitation, remuneration and critical illness protocol. It is important to thank the healthcare services for the work they did over Covid.”
“I know that was part of what the Deputy had been looking for as well. I can assure him that we are very mindful of this and every help will be provided there.”
“These measures are designed to ensure that staff are supported not only financially but also practically as they recover and reintegrate into the workplace. While some EU countries recognised Covid-19 as an occupational illness, this applied to Covid-19 itself, not long Covid. To our knowledge, no country provided sustained full pay for long Covid similar to Ireland's special scheme. The Minister for Social Protection has reviewed the EU recommendation on recognising Covid-19 as an occupational illness. It has been determined that Covid-19 does not meet the criteria required for recognition under the Social Welfare Acts. I assure the Deputy and the House that while the special scheme will conclude at the end of this year, the supports available to staff will continue under established public service arrangements.”