3470. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if she will consider establishing a dedicated cancer care leave policy for healthcare workers who have undergone cancer treatment, ensuring that critical illness leave is treated separately from ordinary sick leave entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61457/26]

The Public Service Sick Leave Scheme provides supports for employees who are absent due to serious illness, including cancer. Under the Scheme, employees may qualify for the Critical Illness Protocol, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria.

There are currently no proposals to establish a separate cancer-specific leave scheme for healthcare workers. Any proposal to introduce a new category of leave would require consideration of the policy, legal, industrial relations, operational and financial implications involved.

Responsibility for public service sick leave policy rests primarily with the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. My Department will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders on matters relating to workforce well-being and support for healthcare workers.