Publication
Report on the measures to include long COVID in the Occupational Injuries Benefit regulations – November 2023
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
This report was prepared to satisfy the commitment made by the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys T.D., at Committee Stage of the Social Welfare Bill 2022 to prepare a report on measures to include long COVID under the Social Welfare (Consolidated Occupational Injuries) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 102 of 2007).
The Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, administered by the Department of Social Protection, provides benefits for people who were injured at work, who acquired an occupational disease at work, or who were injured travelling to and from work.
The report examines the scheme and the financial supports available for employees who cannot work due to COVID-19 and long COVID, as well as other long-term disability and illness payments. The report then considers whether COVID-19 and long COVID should be recognised as an occupational accident or illness under the scheme by applying the statutory tests under S.I. 102 of 2007 and section 87(2) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.
The primary conclusion of the report is that COVID-19 and long COVID should not be added to the list of occupational illnesses for the scheme. The report found that COVID-19 does not meet the statutory criteria for recognition.
