318. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the delivery of supports to patients with long-Covid and/or associated conditions; the analysis that has taken place to differentiate long-Covid from possible gene therapy adverse events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48338/26]

The Taoiseach met with health unions on Thursday, 30 April. Following that engagement, the Taoiseach has asked the HSE to ensure that management discretion under the Critical Illness Protocol is actively and compassionately applied in cases involving long COVID, so that staff continue to be supported while Government considers what further longer-term measures may be appropriate.

This matter remains under active consideration across Government, including by the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Social Protection, with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Social Protection having met in recent weeks to discuss ongoing supports; they welcomed the progress to date, noting that a significant number of staff have been supported in returning to work, with others continuing to receive support through the public service sick leave scheme.