I have been contacted by a number of patients who attend St. James's Hospital for long Covid and they advise me that the post of senior occupational therapist, OT, at the hospital's post-Covid clinic is ceasing due to funding issues and that the senior OT will no longer be part of the post-Covid clinic. This has been a really important part of the care for patients. I wrote to the CEO of St. James's, who confirmed that in the past month the hospital has received confirmation of permanent funding resourcing for the post-acute Covid clinic programme and an OT has not been resourced. The hospital awaits confirmation of permanent resourcing for the long Covid clinic, which is expected imminently. The hospital is concerned that an OT is not included in the HSE's draft long Covid model of care, published in June 2021, although that may change in the final version. Will the Tánaiste ensure that OTs are a part of Covid clinics, particularly the one in St. James's Hospital?

I am afraid I do not have any information on the detail of that appointment, but I will ask my office to liaise with the Department of Health and to provide the Deputy with a written reply. I know that the HSE's national service plan published the other day provides additional funding to help patients with long Covid. I do not know how that translates into particular posts in particular hospitals, but I will ask my office to get a written reply to the Deputy.