Disease Management

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023

Tuesday, 26 September 2023

Questions (495)

Colm Burke

Question:

495. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration would be given to classifying long-Covid as a disability, in view that long-Covid is characterised by extreme exhaustion after minimal exertion, cardiovascular issues including MI, myocarditis/pericarditis, clots, arrhythmias, and neurological issues such as cognitive impairment, stroke, and ultimately that there is no treatment for the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41455/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

There are a number of definitions of disability contained in legislation, e.g. Disability Act 2005, the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004, the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Acts and Equal Status Acts, which are used for particular purposes, e.g. the Census and qualifying criteria for the Department of Social Protection income supports such as the Domiciliary Care Allowance, Disability Allowance etc. These definitions define disability in terms of an individual's functional ability in their environment, rather than a medical diagnosis or condition. In the context of the provision of specialist disability services, my Department does not classify specific medical illnesses or conditions as a disability.

My officials have clarified with the Deputy that the query relates to people who are unable to continue employment following long-COVID. The Department of Social Protection has a number of schemes under its remit that may be of assistance in this regard.