The education department yesterday (Thursday) confirmed that special leave with pay for staff in the Covid-19 very high-risk category will cease from 1^st July. This will also affect staff affected by long Covid.

From July, workers impacted by the change will have to take sick leave if they are unfit to attend work, and school employers will have to carry out a return to work assessment before staff return.

Fórsa has said that members affected by this change should contact the union for individual advice. The details of the change are set out in a new information note from the department. 

The ICTU Public Services Committee is to raise this issue with Government to make the case for the continuation of special leave provisions for people with recognised medical conditions who are affected by Covid.

The union says that, while this group of staff may be eligible to access extended sick leave through the critical illness protocol, it would be preferable to continue to provide special leave with pay, not least as some staff may have contracted Covid in the workplace.