Pressure growing on Government to bring back €350 Covid sick pay if virus surges this winter

Childcare and retail worker representatives said the authorities must be on standby to resurrect the payment that was discontinued last month.

The Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit was introduced to aid workers during the pandemic, but it ended on September 30.

Those advised to self-isolate can still apply for illness benefit with a medical certificate from their GP, although this payment is worth less, at €208 a week. Unlike the enhanced benefit, it is not paid from the first day of illness.

However, with concern growing over a winter ‘twindemic’ of flu and Covid-19, unions are increasing the pressure on the Government to reconsider the decision to scrap the special sick pay.

Gerry Light, general secretary of retail union Mandate, said it would seek the reintroduction of the support if there is a declaration from the new chief medical officer that we have entered a mini-crisis.

“We would be looking for enhanced illness benefit along with other physical protective measures if it gets to the point that it is warranted,” he said. “There are a suite of measures that were there before.

She said employers should facilitate time off if people want to get jabs, and consider offering free PCR tests

“I used public transport this morning, restaurants are packed again. I think we have forgotten about it and a degree of complacency has set in, but the ones who will suffer are those workers on the frontline.”

Darragh O’Connor of Siptu’s childcare division also backed the reintroduction of enhanced sick-pay benefit.

Laura Bambrick, social policy officer at Ictu, said half the workforce – over one million people – are not covered by sick-pay schemes at work.

“If you are going to be one of the unlucky ones who gets Covid and has to isolate for seven days and there is no enhanced benefit, the only option is to apply for standard illness benefit,” she said.

“You’re down €142. You also need sufficient social insurance contributions and there are three waiting days.”

She said employers should facilitate time off if people want to get jabs, and consider offering free PCR tests.

An Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation spokesperson said the health services must ensure adequate stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“And the Government must also be vigilant in not waiting too long to introduce society-wide controls such as mask wearing to stem the spread of the virus,” she said.

She called for an occupational injury scheme specific to Covid-19.

Neil McDonnell of the Irish SME Association said the organisation seldom receives queries in relation to the virus.

He said there is more concern among members over energy crisis impacts, inflation and a new statutory sick-pay scheme that comes into force in January.