For public health service employees, the special scheme of paid leave for employees unfit for work post-Covid 19 infection is due to end on 31 March, as has been outlined earlier. Healthcare workers suffering with long Covid are devastated by this news, as many rely on this support while recovering from an illness they say destroyed their lives. If the normal HSE sick leave scheme was adequate, this decision would not be so devastating. However, many of these long Covid sufferers would not qualify for critical illness provisions and the temporary rehabilitation remuneration is only 37% of their current pay, without any pension benefits. Many of these healthcare workers helped us in our time of need, when everybody else was forced to stay at home. It is now time we return that favour. Will the Government extend the scheme for healthcare workers beyond the end of this month?

I will give the Deputy the same answer I gave Deputy Naughten earlier. I am aware the scheme is due to end at the end of the month. It is a matter for the consideration of the Department of Health and the Minister. I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy directly. We have not had any recommendation to Government in relation to this issue, at least not yet.