I thank the Deputy for bringing this to the House and raising such an important matter. It gives me the opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary role our healthcare workers played during the pandemic. They went far beyond the call of duty, working on the front line, treating Covid-positive patients and doing so in those early days when the protections we now take for granted were not yet in place. Their courage and commitment can never be forgotten. In July 2022, a special scheme was introduced to provide support to eligible public health staff who developed long Covid. This was a temporary, exceptional measure, unique to the health sector, designed to acknowledge the risks faced by staff working in high-exposure environments before PPE, vaccination and widespread community transmission were established. As I understand, there are approximately 159 employees - the Deputy is right; that is the figure we have also been given - still on this scheme. Most of these staff have been supported with full pay for almost five years. The Department has consistently worked to ensure that these staff were looked after. At our request, the Department of public expenditure agreed to extend the scheme several times since its introduction. Following a Labour Court hearing in June of this year, a final extension was recommended. The scheme will now run, as the Deputy said, until 31 December 2025, when it will formally conclude. I want to be very clear: the conclusion of this scheme does not mean that supports will end. Staff who remain unfit to work will transition seamlessly into the public service sick leave scheme, ensuring continuity of care and financial protection. Under that scheme, staff will receive full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months. They will then have the option to apply for temporary rehabilitative remuneration, which can provide up to a further 547 days of paid leave. In addition, the critical illness protocol may provide supports for up to three years. Beyond financial supports, staff will also be entitled to reasonable accommodations to assist them in returning to work. This may include modified duties or adjusted work patterns while they are rehabilitating. These measures are designed to ensure that staff are supported not only financially but also practically as they recover and reintegrate into the workplace. While some EU countries recognised Covid-19 as an occupational illness, this applied to Covid-19 itself, not long Covid. To our knowledge, no country provided sustained full pay for long Covid similar to Ireland's special scheme. The Minister for Social Protection has reviewed the EU recommendation on recognising Covid-19 as an occupational illness. It has been determined that Covid-19 does not meet the criteria required for recognition under the Social Welfare Acts. I assure the Deputy and the House that while the special scheme will conclude at the end of this year, the supports available to staff will continue under established public service arrangements. I know that was part of what the Deputy had been looking for as well. I can assure him that we are very mindful of this and every help will be provided there.

Sentiment score: 0.21

I will go back to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, with the Deputy's concerns. It is so important that we acknowledge the extraordinary services of healthcare workers during the pandemic. They did a marvellous job and their work was incredible. They would have seen people dying during their work and, as the Deputy said, that probably has affected them. It is important that we work together on this. I will certainly raise the Deputy's issues. As I said, the scheme is concluding on 31 December 2025, but I assure the Deputy that staff will not be left without support. They will transition into the public service sick leave scheme, with full access to supports that include temporary rehabilitation, remuneration and critical illness protocol. It is important to thank the healthcare services for the work they did over Covid. As I said, I will definitely go back to the Minister with the issues the Deputy raised and we will see what we can do from there.

Sentiment score: 0.10

I thank the Deputy. The Minister thanks Deputy Cahill for raising this important issue and for offering her the opportunity to respond. Respite is a vital support for families and service users and potentially helps prevent out-of-home full-time residential placements, preserves the family unit and supports family stability. In regard to respite services within Kerry, the situation is as follows. HSE South West has made significant additional investment in respite provision in recent years. In 2024, regional health area HSE South West, which extends to the Cork and Kerry area, provided 17,181 respite overnights and 2,833 day-only respite sessions and supported 760 people with a disability. The type and quantum of respite have been increased each year to meet the assessed needs and preferences of as many people as possible. HSE South West disability services provide a range of respite models for children and adults. These include residential overnight respite centres, after-school clubs for children and young people, in-home respite support for children and adults, outreach day respite supports and holiday breaks for adults. These options ensure that respite is provided in the manner that best meets the needs of people and their families or carers. Currently, there are approximately 2,800 respite bed nights for children and 4,200 respite bed nights for adults every year. This is of course subject to some variations according to the needs and compatibility of the adults and children availing of these services. The HSE advises that the number of people a respite centre can accommodate at any given time is not fixed as it varies according to the complexity of clients’ needs. Within each centre, groupings and occupancy are determined by both client compatibility and the level of support required to ensure safe and appropriate care. Within that context, HSE South West disability services confirm that in County Kerry, there have been no unplanned closures of existing adult respite beds at any point during 2025. HSE South West disability services are unable to provide a definitive number of respite beds required in Kerry as the allocation of respite beds is based on a number of different factors, although it is accepted that demand is high. In Kerry, there have been two recent developments in respite provision, one for adults and one for children. The adult north Kerry respite house has been allocated additional funding to enable the service to operate on a full-time basis, seven days a week, to ensure the service is utilised to its full capacity. Additionally, several families have been provided with bespoke respite arrangements to support them in response to specific challenges. In terms of future developments, the HSE is progressing on property purchases for respite and residential services in the Tralee area. Additionally, proposals to the capital plan 2026 have been made by HSE South West disability services to fund a number of new-build residential and respite units.

Sentiment score: 0.30

I can see and hear the passion. The Deputy is right that respite is absolutely crucial for families, whether it is children or adults. I thank him for raising this and can assure him the Government is committed to the continued expansion and development of respite services as set out in the programme for Government and the new National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. To support the HSE in its work to provide and develop respite services in recognition of the importance of support for disabled people and their families, budget 2026 has provided significant additional funding to support respite service expansion in 2026. I assure the Deputy that this is crucial, and I honestly take what he is saying on board. He can be assured I will be talking to the Minister, as I know Deputy Cahill will be as he is her party colleague. I will ask and find out about the HSE's property purchase for respite. I will check that out for the Deputy and make sure that comes back from the Minister's office. HSE south west has advised it is aware of the importance and value of respite. The HSE's 2026 national service plan will provide greater detail on expected delivery for 2026. That is expected to be published in the coming months. I will keep the Deputy updated and I thank him for highlighting this important issue.

Sentiment score: 0.43

I thank the Deputy from my neighbouring county for raising this important matter. It is a key priority for the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who, unfortunately, cannot take this Topical Issue, and for the Government that people experiencing mental health difficulties receive the appropriate level of care they require in the most suitable location in the community that best meets their needs. Achieving this involves reform of mental health services and developing fit-for-purpose community services that meet people's needs into the future. This is supported by substantial investment in mental health services each year. Erkina House is operated by the HSE as a fully staffed community mental health residence. The HSE has advised the Department that there are three remaining residents supported at this residence. Erkina House has provided much-needed mental health support to many people over two decades. However, it is not the type of mental health service we would build today and there are documented issues with the configuration of the building as a mental health service. The HSE has been actively engaging in working towards a solution that meets the long-term care needs of the service users remaining at the facility. The HSE has advised the Department of Health that Erkina House would be significantly non-compliant with forthcoming Mental Health Commission community residence standards and a significant level of investment would be required to develop Erkina House to achieve the additional regulatory standards required. An independent review was commissioned by the chief officer in the HSE Midlands Louth Meath community healthcare organisation in 2022. The review was completed on the basis of a potential move of services to another location in County Offaly. This is no longer an option being considered by the HSE. The review strongly recommended that the views of residents on their future service provision be the focus of decision-making. This person-centred management model has been undertaken by the HSE which indicated that the remaining residents wish to move to other long-term care facilities in their community. The HSE has advised the Department that this property is not suitable for upgrade and adaptation and accordingly no new admissions will be undertaken. The HSE has provided assurance to the Department as to the service provision for the existing residents to properly meet their needs. I will not go over these details as the number of people involved is so small that they could be identifiable. The HSE aims to re-provide this service and provision for community-based high support which will be managed in existing alternative mental health residences located within the integrated healthcare area.

Sentiment score: 0.25

I thank the Deputy again for bringing this important issue up. I assure the House that I understand, as the Deputy said, how important it is for all persons with mental health difficulties to have the relevant mental health services in place from the HSE in the location that best suits their needs. The Deputy mentioned the four centres and that they should be based in different areas. I will check that out with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. I will also check the site with the HSE. The Deputy said Erkina House is a HSE site. I will also speak to the Minister of State and Department. I assure him someone will come back to him with this information. I note this is a priority for Deputy Butler and I will go back to her with the Deputy's concerns.

Sentiment score: 0.18