HSE: 10-day Covid-19 compensation leave for staff would cost €377m 

The unions, acting as a staff panel, said HSE workers were burned out, and warned of an 'exodus' this winter if supports were not given. File picture

The HSE has said giving health workers 10 days' extra leave in recognition of their pandemic efforts would result in "possibly, the single most costly claim ever served on a single employer” in Ireland, at potentially €377m.

The Labour Court said the HSE had told it health unions were looking for the 10 days in compensation for what they have been through since March 2020.