The Labour Court recommended extending the temporary paid-leave scheme for eligible Health Care Workers with Long Covid from 1 July to 31 December 2025. Those remaining on the scheme should then transition to the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, with its elements and support services applied consistently from 1 January 2026. The recommendation was signed on 26 June 2025.
SIPTU, Fórsa, the IMO and the INMO brought the dispute on behalf of Health Care Workers, including 159 employees whom the unions said were receiving temporary paid leave. They sought an occupational illness scheme and support for people excluded from the temporary scheme. The Department of Health and HSE said the scheme was temporary and pointed to other sick-leave supports.
The Court said Covid-19 and Long Covid were not then considered occupational illnesses or workplace injuries in Ireland, and it could not determine otherwise. It did not recommend changing the eligibility rules for the second group or creating an independent review of eligibility.