theirishtimes--2020-09-26--Covid-19: Contact tracers to start looking into where people are infected

Contact tracers are to begin investigating where people are infected with Covid-19 , following admissions this week by the State ’ s public health team that it can not tell where cases are happening in the community .
In a letter to Government , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) said that retrospective contact tracing would gather extra information about Covid-19 cases labelled only as “ community transmission ” up to now .
Last night , a HSE source said tracing teams will now play “ detective ” and investigate in greater detail the movements and contacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at-risk bars , gyms , restaurants or other locations .
The change comes after Prof Philip Nolan said last week that people are only questioned about their contacts during the 48 hours before they develop symptoms , rather than tracing back to where they could have been infected .
His declaration came after pubs and restaurant bodies complained that they were being blamed for the rise in cases , even though all the HSE ’ s graphs had laid few such cases at their door .
However , Prof Nolan said cases were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have emerged first in a restaurant or bar because public health teams did not have the resources fully to identify people ’ s movements .
In a letter to Government on Thursday , acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn said that team had endorsed “ enhanced retrospective contact tracing ” of confirmed Covid-19 cases to ensure the system is “ as robust as possible ” .
The new inquiries would highlight potential sources of infection , and help to identify people at risk because of the locations in which they are moving about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach will allow the environments and activities associated with the greatest levels of transmission be more accurately and quickly identified , ” Dr Glynn told the Government .
Prof Kirsten Schaffer , president of the Irish Society of Clinical Microbiology , told the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee that public health teams are only asking people with a positive test for the details of the people they have met in the last 48 hours .
This gap , she said , was impeding the development of more refined or localised interventions , though public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources , or the time for more detailed work .
In the fortnight to 19th September , 36 per cent of cases are linked with community or possible community transmission .
In its guidelines , the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says contact tracing should “ rapidly identify secondary cases that may arise after transmission from the primary known cases in order to intervene and interrupt further onward transmission ” .
Japanese and South Korean contact tracing goes further back to establish where the sick person caught the virus , leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and situations the virus can spread in .
Meanwhile , more than 70 mental health organisations have expressed serious concern about the absence of mental health in the Health Service Executive ’ s Win Plan for 2020 , warning that service demand will sharply increase in coming months .
The focus “ on keeping people with physical health needs out of hospital beds is welcome and understandable ” , said the chief executive of Mental Health Reform , Fiona Coyle , but “ keeping people with mental health difficulties out of hospital ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra funding to repair “ this glaring oversight ” , Ms Coyle said mental health will become a bigger problem “ over the tough winter months ahead ” when access to services will become more difficult .

The new inquiries would highlight potential sources of infection, and help to identify people at risk because of the locations in which they are moving about in the community. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP
Contact tracers are to begin investigating where people are infected with Covid-19, following admissions this week by the State's public health team that it cannot tell where cases are happening in the community.
In a letter to Government, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) said that retrospective contact tracing would gather extra information about Covid-19 cases labelled only as " community transmission" up to now.
Last night, a HSE source said tracing teams will now play “detective” and investigate in greater detail the movements and contacts of a confirmed Covid-19 case to identify at-risk bars, gyms, restaurants or other locations.
Hospital Report
The change comes after Prof Philip Nolan said last week that people are only questioned about their contacts during the 48 hours before they develop symptoms, rather than tracing back to where they could have been infected.
READ MORE
His declaration came after pubs and restaurant bodies complained that they were being blamed for the rise in cases, even though all the HSE’s graphs had laid few such cases at their door.
However, Prof Nolan said cases were tagged community transmission even though they could have emerged first in a restaurant or bar because public health teams did not have the resources fully to identify people’s movements.
In a letter to Government on Thursday, acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn said that team had endorsed "enhanced retrospective contact tracing" of confirmed Covid-19 cases to ensure the system is "as robust as possible".
The new inquiries would highlight potential sources of infection, and help to identify people at risk because of the locations in which they are moving about in the community.
Localised interventions
“Such an approach will allow the environments and activities associated with the greatest levels of transmission be more accurately and quickly identified,” Dr Glynn told the Government.
Prof Kirsten Schaffer, president of the Irish Society of Clinical Microbiology, told the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee that public health teams are only asking people with a positive test for the details of the people they have met in the last 48 hours.
This gap, she said, was impeding the development of more refined or localised interventions, though public health doctors said they did not have the resources, or the time for more detailed work.
In the fortnight to 19th September, 36 per cent of cases are linked with community or possible community transmission.
In its guidelines, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says contact tracing should “rapidly identify secondary cases that may arise after transmission from the primary known cases in order to intervene and interrupt further onward transmission”.
Japanese and South Korean contact tracing goes further back to establish where the sick person caught the virus, leading to a greater knowledge of what settings and situations the virus can spread in.
Mental health concerns
Meanwhile, more than 70 mental health organisations have expressed serious concern about the absence of mental health in the Health Service Executive’s Win Plan for 2020, warning that service demand will sharply increase in coming months.
The focus "on keeping people with physical health needs out of hospital beds is welcome and understandable", said the chief executive of Mental Health Reform, Fiona Coyle, but "keeping people with mental health difficulties out of hospital" is vital, too.
Calling for extra funding to repair “this glaring oversight”, Ms Coyle said mental health will become a bigger problem “over the tough winter months ahead” when access to services will become more difficult.


theirishtimes--2020-09-26--Covid-19: Ireland faces ‘critical two weeks’ in fight against virus, Minister says

Fears over increased Covid-19 restrictions for other urban and localised areas are growing after the Government imposed Level 3 restrictions on colleges , which will see most tuition move online .
While third-level institutions will remain open during the move lasting up to three weeks , all lectures and most tutorials are expected to migrate online .
Students will be encouraged to remain at home rather than travel to their campus .
Libraries and laboratories in colleges are expected to remain open , but with social distancing measures in place and regulation on entry .
All social activities on campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education Simon Harris said the decision was grounded on the experience in other jurisdictions where there were significant increases in coronavirus cases after colleges reopened .
He also said it was a response to the current situation in Ireland , where the country faced a “ critical two weeks ” in its efforts to curb the disease .
“ Notwithstanding all the protective measures that have been put in place by our higher level institutions , you will appreciate there is now a growing concern about the impact the recommencement on campus of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very fragile epidemiological situation that pertains at present .
“ We are asking people to show common sense .
If you don ’ t have to trek across the country to attend a lecture , you should not have to , ” he said .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Friday warned urban centres could have Covid-19 restrictions increased to Level 3 , pointing to concerns particularly about Cork , Limerick , Galway and Waterford .
He indicated that the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) may advise in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer Ronan Glynn on Friday night said there was “ every chance other areas will have to move to level 3 ” , but said there is “ nothing inevitable about it ” and people can work together to “ turn the tide on his virus ” .
Co Donegal moved to Level 3 from midnight , with gardaí to begin a highly visible and targeted operation from Saturday , including cross-border checkpoints in co-operation with the PSNI .
A further 326 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the State on Friday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Cork , 21 in Galway and 22 in Donegal .The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in hospitals reached 102 , going above 100 for the first time since early June .
Meanwhile , it has emerged that contact tracers are to begin investigating where people are infected with Covid-19 , following admissions this week by the State ’ s public health team that it can not tell where cases are happening in the community .
In a letter to Government , NPHET said that retrospective contact tracing would gather extra information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community transmission ” up to now .
A HSE source said tracing teams will now play “ detective ” and investigate in much greater detail the movements and contacts of a confirmed case to identify at-risk bars , gyms and restaurants .
The HSE has , separately , been asked to explore proposals to significantly increase the level of Covid-19 testing available .
The Minister for Health , Stephen Donnelly , has told senior Government figures he believes that the level of testing needs to be substantially increased ahead of the winter period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been asked to produce an options paper on significantly increasing testing capacity .

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris speaking to the media at Government Buildings. Photograph: Julien Behal Photography
Fears over increased Covid-19 restrictions for other urban and localised areas are growing after the Government imposed Level 3 restrictions on colleges, which will see most tuition move online.
While third-level institutions will remain open during the move lasting up to three weeks, all lectures and most tutorials are expected to migrate online. Students will be encouraged to remain at home rather than travel to their campus. Libraries and laboratories in colleges are expected to remain open, but with social distancing measures in place and regulation on entry. All social activities on campus have been suspended.
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said the decision was grounded on the experience in other jurisdictions where there were significant increases in coronavirus cases after colleges reopened.
Hospital Report
He also said it was a response to the current situation in Ireland, where the country faced a “critical two weeks” in its efforts to curb the disease.
READ MORE
“Notwithstanding all the protective measures that have been put in place by our higher level institutions, you will appreciate there is now a growing concern about the impact the recommencement on campus of [student] activity will have on the very fragile epidemiological situation that pertains at present.
“We are asking people to show common sense. If you don’t have to trek across the country to attend a lecture, you should not have to,” he said.
Urban centres
Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Friday warned urban centres could have Covid-19 restrictions increased to Level 3, pointing to concerns particularly about Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. He indicated that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) may advise in terms of particularly localised restrictions.
Acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn on Friday night said there was “every chance other areas will have to move to level 3”, but said there is “nothing inevitable about it” and people can work together to “turn the tide on his virus”.
Co Donegal moved to Level 3 from midnight, with gardaí to begin a highly visible and targeted operation from Saturday, including cross-border checkpoints in co-operation with the PSNI.
A further 326 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the State on Friday night, including 152 in Dublin, 32 in Cork, 21 in Galway and 22 in Donegal .The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in hospitals reached 102, going above 100 for the first time since early June.
Contact tracers
Meanwhile, it has emerged that contact tracers are to begin investigating where people are infected with Covid-19, following admissions this week by the State’s public health team that it cannot tell where cases are happening in the community.
In a letter to Government, NPHET said that retrospective contact tracing would gather extra information about Covid-19 cases labelled only as “ community transmission” up to now.
A HSE source said tracing teams will now play “detective” and investigate in much greater detail the movements and contacts of a confirmed case to identify at-risk bars, gyms and restaurants.
The HSE has, separately, been asked to explore proposals to significantly increase the level of Covid-19 testing available.
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has told senior Government figures he believes that the level of testing needs to be substantially increased ahead of the winter period.
It is understood that the HSE has been asked to produce an options paper on significantly increasing testing capacity.


theirishtimes--2020-09-26--Legislation to impose strict carbon-emission limits to be in place by Christmas

Legislation to impose strict five-yearly carbon-emission limits on transport , agriculture , energy suppliers and business will be in place by Christmas and in operation from next year , following an agreement among Ministers , it has emerged .
The Cabinet this week approved the heads of the Climate Action ( Amendment ) Bill which will have far-reaching consequences on the operation of every aspect of the Irish economy over the next 20 years .
The first draft of the legislation will be published in early October , in place by Christmas and in force from next autumn , Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Irish Times .
Mr Ryan said the legislation was strongly endorsed by Ministers , but he admitted that concerns exist about the impact emissions targets will have for farmers : “ I think it ’ s fair to acknowledge the real concern around agriculture , ” he added .
The Green Party leader said he hoped farmers would accept the changes to come , given national and international efforts to cut carbon emissions , along with reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy designed to make family-run farms viable .
A strengthened Climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ pollution ceilings ” that will force every element of society to cut carbon emissions and move away from carbon-intensive actions , the Minister said .
The political thrust of the legislation was clear and provides certainty on the direction of the economy , he added .
Given its immense significance for society as a whole , the Bill would undergo pre-legislative scrutiny by going before the Oireachtas Climate Committee , he confirmed .
“ It needs it – it ’ s complex and needs explaining.
” The legislation will be one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including legislation to dramatically increase offshore wind energy over the next two or three years to raise Ireland ’ s climate ambitions and show leadership .
Mr Ryan said he is not looking for significant sums in Budget 2021 , but €50 billion will be needed to pay for radical improvements in home insulation , while €40 billion more will be needed to develop offshore wind projects .
Welcoming the legislation , Sorley McCaughey of Christian Aid Ireland said “ urgent action ” is needed just to begin to honour the promises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Climate Agreement five years ago .
It comes as young people across the world yesterday held their first Fridays for Future protests since the coronavirus crisis began .
Young people in Limerick and Galway were among those to take part in rallies inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg to demand urgent action to halt catastrophic climate change .

The Fridays for Future movement held demonstrations worldwide today, demanding urgent action from governments and businesses on climate change. In Cork, activists held a small demonstration due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Legislation to impose strict five-yearly carbon-emission limits on transport, agriculture, energy suppliers and business will be in place by Christmas and in operation from next year, following an agreement among Ministers, it has emerged.
The Cabinet this week approved the heads of the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill which will have far-reaching consequences on the operation of every aspect of the Irish economy over the next 20 years.
The first draft of the legislation will be published in early October, in place by Christmas and in force from next autumn, Minister for Climate Action Eamon Ryan has told The Irish Times.
Mr Ryan said the legislation was strongly endorsed by Ministers, but he admitted that concerns exist about the impact emissions targets will have for farmers: “I think it’s fair to acknowledge the real concern around agriculture,” he added.
READ MORE
The Green Party leader said he hoped farmers would accept the changes to come, given national and international efforts to cut carbon emissions, along with reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy designed to make family-run farms viable.
‘Pollution ceilings’
A strengthened Climate Change Advisory Council will make recommendations on "pollution ceilings" that will force every element of society to cut carbon emissions and move away from carbon-intensive actions, the Minister said.
The political thrust of the legislation was clear and provides certainty on the direction of the economy, he added.
Given its immense significance for society as a whole, the Bill would undergo pre-legislative scrutiny by going before the Oireachtas Climate Committee, he confirmed. "It needs it – it's complex and needs explaining."
The legislation will be one of the Government’s three key actions, including legislation to dramatically increase offshore wind energy over the next two or three years to raise Ireland’s climate ambitions and show leadership.
Mr Ryan said he is not looking for significant sums in Budget 2021, but €50 billion will be needed to pay for radical improvements in home insulation, while €40 billion more will be needed to develop offshore wind projects.
‘Urgent action’
Welcoming the legislation, Sorley McCaughey of Christian Aid Ireland said "urgent action" is needed just to begin to honour the promises Ireland made when it signed up Paris Climate Agreement five years ago.
It comes as young people across the world yesterday held their first Fridays for Future protests since the coronavirus crisis began. Young people in Limerick and Galway were among those to take part in rallies inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg to demand urgent action to halt catastrophic climate change.


theirishtimes--2020-09-26--Private hospitals expand services to deal with post-State takeover surge

It is not long after sunrise in late September but staff at the Galway Clinic are preparing for the first patients of the day .
MRI scans at the private hospital begin at 8am , running until midnight .
Currently , the scanners run seven days per week .
The Galway Clinic is just one of many private hospitals where working days have been expanded and weekend services introduced since they resumed normal operations in the summer .
For three months earlier this year – at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic – nearly 20 private hospitals , including their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bulk of their staff , were effectively taken over by the State .
The Government ’ s highly controversial initiative threw the country ’ s private healthcare market into disarray .
Private medical consultants had no access to their rooms or theatres .
Health insurers , meanwhile , had to give back millions of euro to subscribers who could no longer be admitted to private hospitals covered on their insurance plans .
The arrangement ended in late June after the Government went against a Health Service Executive recommendation and decided not to rent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and intensive care facilities for two more months .
The Government had come under pressure over the cost of the deal which the Cabinet was told could cost about €340 million for the three months it had been in operation .
Official minutes of the Health Budget Oversight Group – a body comprised of officials from the Department of Health , the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure – show that the HSE had wanted to continue the deal .
However , the documents show that , from early on , senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was made of the private hospital facilities given the the anticipated surge of Covid-19 cases did not then materialise .
Upon regaining control of their facilities , the private hospitals moved quickly to get back to business – as can be seen by the number of claims lodged since by the privately health-insured .
Early claims data from the summer suggests that private hospitals are not yet back to pre-Covid levels , but they are bouncing back faster than anticipated .
And they are certainly ahead of private practice in the public hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it had “ a considerable backlog of care to provide ” following the ending of the agreement between the private hospitals and the HSE .
“ In July and August this year [ the hospital ] performed 35 per cent more theatre procedures than the same period in 2019 .
The entire team at Blackrock Clinic pulled together , working longer-than-usual shifts and weekends to ensure our patients received their treatment and procedures as quickly and as safely as possible .
“ Although it was summer , all of Blackrock Clinic ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Surgeons , staff and everyone at the hospital were keen to get through the backlog as quickly as possible .
Free theatre sessions due to holidays were utilised by other surgeons and their teams putting on extra lists .
Theatre started a little earlier and also operated on some Saturdays.
” The chief operations officer of the Mater Private Hospital group , Caroline Whelan , said it recognised that , after the ending of the agreement with the HSE , it would face both a backlog of patients and have to operate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the group decided to “ expand its geography ” beyond its existing facilities in Eccles Street in Dublin and in Cork and Limerick .
At the end of October , the group will formally open new premises at Carrickmines in south Dublin and at Northern Cross on the northside of the capital which will provide diagnostic services such as MRI , CT and X-rays while some consultant out-patient clinics in areas such as cardiology , orthopaedics and spinal care will also move to the new facilities .
Ms Whelan said the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days and that theatres , its cath labs and day therapies also now routinely operated on Saturdays .
She said radiology services had always operated on a seven-day basis .
The Hermitage Medical Clinic in Dublin said since the beginning of July it had been “ working at full capacity to meet the built-up demand from our patients ” .
It said it had extended working days , provided additional resources and re-engineered processes .
“ Radiology is now operating 17 hours a day , seven days a week at full service capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital are running six days a week .
Both endoscopy and cath lab are running six days a week at full service .
While pre-assessment and swabbing services are running 12 hours a day , seven days a week.
” The Galway Clinic said that in response to the demand from patients for services , it had “ opened MRI scanners from 8am until midnight , seven days a week , and extended our elective CT services to include weekend appointments .
“ We have employed new healthcare assistants and also more cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and infection-prevention and control measures which are necessary to reduce the risk of Covid-19 .
Mammography services have been extended in order to meet the increased demands from our patients.
” On Thursday , Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly suggested that parts of the public hospital system were not “ going at full whack ” .
He said diagnostic suites were not operating on a 24/7 basis and that some were working longer hours than others .
He said , “ a lot more could be got out of our existing diagnostic machines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would involve recruiting additional healthcare staff .
In the meantime , the HSE is expected to seek to avail of services in the private hospitals in the months ahead , although a full-scale takeover seems unlikely .
It has put in place a tender process for particular services such as diagnostics and is in talks with individual hospitals about any future Covid-related requirements .
The HSE said : “ There has been very constructive engagement with individual private providers and we are at an advanced stage of discussion and hope to bring this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The procurement process closed to applications on August 31st and evaluation of applications has now been completed .
The HSE is in the process of communicating with applicants in relation to the outcome of the evaluation process .
It is hoped to progress to mini competition stage in October .
”

The Galway Clinic has opened MRI scanners from 8am until midnight, seven days a week, and extended elective CT services to include weekend appointments. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
It is not long after sunrise in late September but staff at the Galway Clinic are preparing for the first patients of the day. MRI scans at the private hospital begin at 8am, running until midnight.
Currently, the scanners run seven days per week. The Galway Clinic is just one of many private hospitals where working days have been expanded and weekend services introduced since they resumed normal operations in the summer.
For three months earlier this year – at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic – nearly 20 private hospitals, including their beds, theatres, facilities and the bulk of their staff, were effectively taken over by the State.
Hospital Report
The Government’s highly controversial initiative threw the country’s private healthcare market into disarray. Private medical consultants had no access to their rooms or theatres.
READ MORE
Health insurers, meanwhile, had to give back millions of euro to subscribers who could no longer be admitted to private hospitals covered on their insurance plans.
The arrangement ended in late June after the Government went against a Health Service Executive recommendation and decided not to rent more than 2,000 private beds, theatres and intensive care facilities for two more months.
The Government had come under pressure over the cost of the deal which the Cabinet was told could cost about €340 million for the three months it had been in operation.
Official minutes of the Health Budget Oversight Group – a body comprised of officials from the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure – show that the HSE had wanted to continue the deal.
However, the documents show that, from early on, senior officials were concerned about the use that was made of the private hospital facilities given the the anticipated surge of Covid-19 cases did not then materialise.
Upon regaining control of their facilities, the private hospitals moved quickly to get back to business – as can be seen by the number of claims lodged since by the privately health-insured.
Early claims data from the summer suggests that private hospitals are not yet back to pre-Covid levels, but they are bouncing back faster than anticipated. And they are certainly ahead of private practice in the public hospitals.
Procedures up 35%
The Blackrock Clinic in south Dublin said it had "a considerable backlog of care to provide" following the ending of the agreement between the private hospitals and the HSE.
“In July and August this year [the hospital] performed 35 per cent more theatre procedures than the same period in 2019. The entire team at Blackrock Clinic pulled together, working longer-than-usual shifts and weekends to ensure our patients received their treatment and procedures as quickly and as safely as possible.
“Although it was summer, all of Blackrock Clinic’s theatres were running at full capacity. Surgeons, staff and everyone at the hospital were keen to get through the backlog as quickly as possible. Free theatre sessions due to holidays were utilised by other surgeons and their teams putting on extra lists. Theatre started a little earlier and also operated on some Saturdays.”
The chief operations officer of the Mater Private Hospital group, Caroline Whelan, said it recognised that, after the ending of the agreement with the HSE, it would face both a backlog of patients and have to operate under the new social-distancing requirements.
She said the group decided to “expand its geography” beyond its existing facilities in Eccles Street in Dublin and in Cork and Limerick.
At the end of October, the group will formally open new premises at Carrickmines in south Dublin and at Northern Cross on the northside of the capital which will provide diagnostic services such as MRI, CT and X-rays while some consultant out-patient clinics in areas such as cardiology, orthopaedics and spinal care will also move to the new facilities.
Ms Whelan said the group also expanded its working week to six days and that theatres, its cath labs and day therapies also now routinely operated on Saturdays. She said radiology services had always operated on a seven-day basis.
Seven days a week
The Hermitage Medical Clinic in Dublin said since the beginning of July it had been "working at full capacity to meet the built-up demand from our patients". It said it had extended working days, provided additional resources and re-engineered processes.
“Radiology is now operating 17 hours a day, seven days a week at full service capacity. All other diagnostic services at the hospital are running six days a week. Both endoscopy and cath lab are running six days a week at full service. While pre-assessment and swabbing services are running 12 hours a day, seven days a week.”
The Galway Clinic said that in response to the demand from patients for services, it had “opened MRI scanners from 8am until midnight, seven days a week, and extended our elective CT services to include weekend appointments.
“We have employed new healthcare assistants and also more cleaning staff to undertake the extensive extra cleaning and infection-prevention and control measures which are necessary to reduce the risk of Covid-19. Mammography services have been extended in order to meet the increased demands from our patients.”
On Thursday, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly suggested that parts of the public hospital system were not "going at full whack".
He said diagnostic suites were not operating on a 24/7 basis and that some were working longer hours than others. He said, “a lot more could be got out of our existing diagnostic machines”. However, he said this would involve recruiting additional healthcare staff.
In the meantime, the HSE is expected to seek to avail of services in the private hospitals in the months ahead, although a full-scale takeover seems unlikely.
It has put in place a tender process for particular services such as diagnostics and is in talks with individual hospitals about any future Covid-related requirements.
The HSE said: “There has been very constructive engagement with individual private providers and we are at an advanced stage of discussion and hope to bring this process to a conclusion shortly.
“The procurement process closed to applications on August 31st and evaluation of applications has now been completed. The HSE is in the process of communicating with applicants in relation to the outcome of the evaluation process. It is hoped to progress to mini competition stage in October.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-25--Dr Anthony Fauci tells Late Late Show he and Trump get on well despite Covid-19 tensions

America ’ s most prominent scientist in combating Covid-19 , Dr Anthony Fauci , has said he enjoys a good personal relationship with President Donald Trump despite well-aired tensions between the two throughout the pandemic .
Dr Fauci refused to comment on Mr Trump ’ s recent self-approval of his handling of the crisis in which he awarded himself an A+ , but said the death and infection rate of the disease in his country was “ sobering ” .
“ As a health person , my relationship with the president I believe is a good relationship , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Late Late Show on Friday night .
He said , despite well-publicised disagreements with Mr Trump , “ as a personal relationship , it is not a bad relationship at all ; it ’ s a good relationship ” .
“ There has been some tension there because I have been having to say things from a public health and scientific standpoint that were at odds with what the president was saying.
” In fact , the often fraught relationship between the two men has long fascinated American TV audiences – the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diseases pitted against a divisive president many believe has botched the country ’ s effort to control the spread of Covid-19 .
Dr Fauci said he met Mr Trump and his officials less frequently in recent times as the administration had pivoted towards focusing on the economy .
As for the president ’ s barbed tweets , he said they were a “ part of the game ” he did not take personally .
“ You just have to tell the truth , go by the science and be driven and read by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s conflict with people , you just don ’ t take it personally.
” Dr Fauci has been head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health since 1984 , and first rose to prominence during the HIV/Aids outbreak .
His time combatting the coronavirus has antagonised some and even led to physical threats against him and his family .
Last month , he spoke about how his daughters had been harassed due to statements he had made on public health policy .
He continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stark terms .
“ The one thing I can say is .
.
.
that 200,000 [ US ] deaths is a very , very sobering figure .
Close to 7 million infections is a very , very sobering figure , ” he told Ryan Tubridy when pressed on Trump ’ s sanguine self-assessment .
Dr Fauci also lamented how public health measures could be politicised , particularly the wearing of face masks .
“ You have public health officials like myself who keep saying wear masks , [ keep ] physical distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were somehow an affront to some people , ” he said .
“ That we were either encroaching upon their individual rights or we were not sensitive to the impact that this has on the economy , neither of which was true .
“ The enemy is the virus .
.
.
the best way to get the economy back is to control the virus.
” However , despite a global public increasingly fatigued by lockdown and other social restrictions , he did see some hope in the development of vaccines , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now in phase three trials .
“ We should know by the end of this calendar year – let ’ s say November , December – whether we have a safe and effective vaccine that can then be started to be deployed , ” he said .
“ Once we get vaccines distributed in the population – we won ’ t be completely avoiding and not adhering to public health measures – but clearly they will be much less restrictive .
“ Vaccines are going to make things much more amenable to approaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, at the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in Washington this week. Photograph: Alex Edelman/Pool via The New York Times
America's most prominent scientist in combating Covid-19, Dr Anthony Fauci, has said he enjoys a good personal relationship with President Donald Trump despite well-aired tensions between the two throughout the pandemic.
Dr Fauci refused to comment on Mr Trump’s recent self-approval of his handling of the crisis in which he awarded himself an A+, but said the death and infection rate of the disease in his country was “sobering”.
“As a health person, my relationship with the president I believe is a good relationship,” he said in an interview on RTÉ’s Late Late Show on Friday night.
He said, despite well-publicised disagreements with Mr Trump, “as a personal relationship, it is not a bad relationship at all; it’s a good relationship”.
READ MORE
“There has been some tension there because I have been having to say things from a public health and scientific standpoint that were at odds with what the president was saying.”
In fact, the often fraught relationship between the two men has long fascinated American TV audiences – the country’s leading authority on infectious diseases pitted against a divisive president many believe has botched the country’s effort to control the spread of Covid-19.
Dr Fauci said he met Mr Trump and his officials less frequently in recent times as the administration had pivoted towards focusing on the economy.
As for the president’s barbed tweets, he said they were a “part of the game” he did not take personally.
“You just have to tell the truth, go by the science and be driven and read by scientific data and evidence. There’s conflict with people, you just don’t take it personally.”
HIV/Aids
Dr Fauci has been head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health since 1984, and first rose to prominence during the HIV/Aids outbreak.
His time combatting the coronavirus has antagonised some and even led to physical threats against him and his family. Last month, he spoke about how his daughters had been harassed due to statements he had made on public health policy.
He continues to place the threat of the virus in stark terms.
"The one thing I can say is . . . that 200,000 [US] deaths is a very, very sobering figure. Close to 7 million infections is a very, very sobering figure," he told Ryan Tubridy when pressed on Trump's sanguine self-assessment.
Dr Fauci also lamented how public health measures could be politicised, particularly the wearing of face masks.
“You have public health officials like myself who keep saying wear masks, [keep] physical distancing, avoid crowds, as if that were somehow an affront to some people,” he said. “That we were either encroaching upon their individual rights or we were not sensitive to the impact that this has on the economy, neither of which was true.
“The enemy is the virus . . . the best way to get the economy back is to control the virus.”
However, despite a global public increasingly fatigued by lockdown and other social restrictions, he did see some hope in the development of vaccines, many of which, he noted, are now in phase three trials.
“We should know by the end of this calendar year – let’s say November, December – whether we have a safe and effective vaccine that can then be started to be deployed,” he said.
“Once we get vaccines distributed in the population – we won’t be completely avoiding and not adhering to public health measures – but clearly they will be much less restrictive.
“Vaccines are going to make things much more amenable to approaching some sort of normality in society.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-25--Thinking Anew – Reaching beyond ‘us’ and ‘them’

It ’ s normal for Jesus to casually rupture the accepted order of things .
Tomorrow ’ s gospel reading from Matthew 21 depicts a man with two sons who needs one of them to work in his vineyard .
He asks the first son if he will go .
The son replies rather rudely that no , he won ’ t ; but later he changes his mind and he actually does .
Meanwhile the man asks his other son if he will go .
The son willingly agrees but , as it turns out , he doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sons is doing the will of the father ?
Better to talk the talk or walk the walk ?
There is an ancient impulse within Christianity to disrupt simple binaries – insider/outsider , man/woman , black/white , rich/poor .
.
.
the list goes on .
Repeatedly Jesus subverts the status quo , leaving us blinking in the stormy sunshine of our surprise .
This reading continues to challenge the assumptions we so easily make about others : “ ‘ The tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom ahead of you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elders , ‘ Wake up !
’ ” As the Church we keep forgetting this left-field kingdom dynamic .
It dawns on us ( whenever we pay attention ) that we can have no idea who will be standing next to us in the kingdom of heaven .
For the past year our parish has undertaken a deep focus on “ inclusion ” .
Our desire is to intentionally welcome and affirm all people , regardless of economic status , gender , physical or mental health or ability , ethnicity , sexuality , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice , is that we are on a continuing journey of self-reflection with a view to recognising in everyone the face of God .
We are seeking and ( in faith ) finding ways of “ enlarging our table ” , trying to make space for true participation from those who are missing .
Inclusion is just the start , the foundation on which participation is built .
It ’ s not so much a case of making others feel welcome in “ our ” space , but of humbly seeking a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stranger , without which we are impoverished .
If I am to belong , I have to be missed if I am not there .
We are missing so many people in the Church , and it hurts .
Yet if I am to belong , I need to be able to be honest about who I am .
The Church – at her best – has a heart-longing to hold this kind of sacred space , though we so often get set in our ways .
I recently heard a talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She expressed her growing frustration at church discussions around inclusion .
Why is it always the disabled person who is the project , the object of inclusion ?
Why can ’ t the church herself commit to being different ?
Until this happens the same old excluding stories will keep being told .
Katie was also exhausted by how consistently people with disabilities were “ othered ” : referred to as “ they ” by those who were discussing inclusion , even when she herself – a wheelchair-user with cerebral palsy – was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them ” – the needy disabled ones , and “ us ” — the capable welcoming ones .
She described the sensation this gave her : like sitting around a dinner table as a guest and discovering that you are actually also on the menu .
Jesus persistently emphasised that for his people there is not a “ them ” and “ us ” , only “ we ” .
French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas has a beautiful phrase to describe the recognition of this – “ the word of God in the face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the teenager with Down syndrome to the man in the supermarket queue , every face we encounter – however beautiful , however degraded – invites us to engage with the compassion and tenderness of God towards all that he has made .
Ironically these days find us having to mask our faces much of the time , obscuring literally “ the word of God in the face ” .
Yet this is the season of harvest , and the harvest depends upon God ’ s grace .
Despite everything , we can believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plentiful in the fullness of time .

It’s normal for Jesus to casually rupture the accepted order of things. Tomorrow’s gospel reading from Matthew 21 depicts a man with two sons who needs one of them to work in his vineyard. He asks the first son if he will go. The son replies rather rudely that no, he won’t; but later he changes his mind and he actually does. Meanwhile the man asks his other son if he will go. The son willingly agrees but, as it turns out, he doesn’t make it. Which of these sons is doing the will of the father? Better to talk the talk or walk the walk?
There is an ancient impulse within Christianity to disrupt simple binaries – insider/outsider, man/woman, black/white, rich/poor . . . the list goes on. Repeatedly Jesus subverts the status quo, leaving us blinking in the stormy sunshine of our surprise. This reading continues to challenge the assumptions we so easily make about others: “‘The tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom ahead of you lot’, Jesus warns the temple elders, ‘Wake up!’” As the Church we keep forgetting this left-field kingdom dynamic. It dawns on us (whenever we pay attention) that we can have no idea who will be standing next to us in the kingdom of heaven.
For the past year our parish has undertaken a deep focus on “inclusion”. Our desire is to intentionally welcome and affirm all people, regardless of economic status, gender, physical or mental health or ability, ethnicity, sexuality, etc. What this means, in practice, is that we are on a continuing journey of self-reflection with a view to recognising in everyone the face of God. We are seeking and (in faith) finding ways of “enlarging our table”, trying to make space for true participation from those who are missing.
Inclusion is just the start, the foundation on which participation is built. It’s not so much a case of making others feel welcome in “our” space, but of humbly seeking a way to receive the gifts and insights of the stranger, without which we are impoverished. If I am to belong, I have to be missed if I am not there. We are missing so many people in the Church, and it hurts. Yet if I am to belong, I need to be able to be honest about who I am. The Church – at her best – has a heart-longing to hold this kind of sacred space, though we so often get set in our ways.
READ MORE
I recently heard a talk by disability activist Rev Katie Tupling. She expressed her growing frustration at church discussions around inclusion. Why is it always the disabled person who is the project, the object of inclusion? Why can't the church herself commit to being different? Until this happens the same old excluding stories will keep being told.
Katie was also exhausted by how consistently people with disabilities were “othered”: referred to as “they” by those who were discussing inclusion, even when she herself – a wheelchair-user with cerebral palsy – was part of the discussion. Always “them” – the needy disabled ones, and “us” — the capable welcoming ones. She described the sensation this gave her: like sitting around a dinner table as a guest and discovering that you are actually also on the menu.
Jesus persistently emphasised that for his people there is not a "them" and "us", only "we". French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas has a beautiful phrase to describe the recognition of this – "the word of God in the face". Each of us, from the teenager with Down syndrome to the man in the supermarket queue, every face we encounter – however beautiful, however degraded – invites us to engage with the compassion and tenderness of God towards all that he has made.
Ironically these days find us having to mask our faces much of the time, obscuring literally “the word of God in the face”. Yet this is the season of harvest, and the harvest depends upon God’s grace. Despite everything, we can believe that God’s harvest will be plentiful in the fullness of time.


theirishtimes--2020-09-25--Traffic chaos as ‘singing and dancing’ woman stops car in middle of motorway

A woman who brought rush-hour traffic to a standstill this afternoon by stopping her car in the middle of a busy motorway before allegedly starting to dance while singing republican songs has been arrested .
The incident happened shortly after 5pm in the northbound lanes of the M18 in Co Clare between the Newmarket on Fergus and Dromoland interchanges .
The woman is reported to have been “ very intoxicated ” and was allegedly singing and dancing in the motorway , refusing to allow traffic pass .
According to eye-witnesses the woman , believed to be in her 50s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line between two lanes of traffic before stepping out of her car and starting to sing “ republican songs ” .
“ She just stopped right in front of us right in the middle of the road .
I thought she hit something .
Then , she got out of the car and started dancing and singing .
I was driving home from work with a colleague and we just looked at each other in disbelief , ” one motorist said .
Traffic was left backed up for several kilometres while multiple calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congestion was also reported in nearby Newmarket on Fergus as traffic was diverted off the motorway at junction 10 to take an alternative route .
Gardaí , National Ambulance Service paramedics and several units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Shannon Town responded .
According to another eye-witness : “ She was singing ‘ Come Out Ye Black and Tans ’ and dancing around the place .
Then she just lay down in the overtaking lane and refused to get up .
She could have been asleep.
” It is understood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman but she could not be transported as there was already a patient on board .
Another ambulance was dispatched to the scene .
More than hour after the incident began , the woman was arrested at the scene and brought to Shannon Garda station .
The motorway reopened at around 6.15pm but it took some time for the traffic jams to clear .
A Garda spokesperson confirmed : “ A female motorist was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence .
”

Gardaí said a female motorist was arrested on the M18 this evening on suspicion of driving under the influence. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times
A woman who brought rush-hour traffic to a standstill this afternoon by stopping her car in the middle of a busy motorway before allegedly starting to dance while singing republican songs has been arrested.
The incident happened shortly after 5pm in the northbound lanes of the M18 in Co Clare between the Newmarket on Fergus and Dromoland interchanges.
The woman is reported to have been “very intoxicated” and was allegedly singing and dancing in the motorway, refusing to allow traffic pass.
According to eye-witnesses the woman, believed to be in her 50s, stopped her car on the centre white line between two lanes of traffic before stepping out of her car and starting to sing “republican songs”.
READ MORE
“She just stopped right in front of us right in the middle of the road. I thought she hit something. Then, she got out of the car and started dancing and singing. I was driving home from work with a colleague and we just looked at each other in disbelief,” one motorist said.
Traffic was left backed up for several kilometres while multiple calls were made to the emergency services. Congestion was also reported in nearby Newmarket on Fergus as traffic was diverted off the motorway at junction 10 to take an alternative route.
Gardaí, National Ambulance Service paramedics and several units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Shannon Town responded.
According to another eye-witness: “She was singing ‘Come Out Ye Black and Tans’ and dancing around the place. Then she just lay down in the overtaking lane and refused to get up. She could have been asleep.”
It is understood a passing ambulance stopped to assist the woman but she could not be transported as there was already a patient on board. Another ambulance was dispatched to the scene.
More than hour after the incident began, the woman was arrested at the scene and brought to Shannon Garda station. The motorway reopened at around 6.15pm but it took some time for the traffic jams to clear.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed: “A female motorist was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-25--Applications to sit 2020 Leaving Cert exams open on Monday

Applications to sit the 2020 Leaving Certificate in November will open on Monday , although this year ’ s exams will not include the usual oral or practical elements .
On Friday , the State Examinations Commission ( SEC ) said the entry process can be accessed from 9am through the Calculated Grades Student Portal and those intent on sitting the exams have until 5pm on Friday to apply .
Subject to public health advice , the exams will begin on Monday , November 16th and conclude on Friday , December 11th .
One exam will take place on weekday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturdays and Sundays from 9.30am and 2pm .
For those dissatisfied with previous calculated grades , the SEC has said anyone taking the exams will receive whichever is the higher grade from both processes .
Exam results from the written tests are expected in early February .
Those who opt to sit the exams and go on to receive an improved CAO offer on foot of the results will also receive a deferred college offer , and can start their course in the 2021/22 academic year .
The SEC said that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already started first year of a course becomes entitled to a higher CAO offer and chooses to accept it , attendance for their first year on the new course would remain eligible for free fees and SUSI funding where appropriate .
It is intended that candidates will sit their exams in the school where they had been entered last June and anyone who can not attend them can apply in 2021 .
There are some other key differences in the 2020 approach .
The SEC noted that it “ would not be feasible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct oral or practical components , or to try to complete unfinished coursework .
“ The oral and practical components are school-based , requiring significant levels of support at school level , including the requirement to take serving teachers out of their schools to undertake state examinations work , ” it said .
However , in the case of five subjects – Home Economics practical coursework ; LCVP Portfolio ; Design and Communication Graphics practical coursework ; Physical Education ( PE ) Physical Activity Project ; and Engineering practicals – coursework which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be marked and included in grading .
In all other subjects , candidates will be awarded grades solely on the written papers .
The SEC also moved to clarify changes to an earlier arrangement from March that full marks would be awarded in respect of oral language and music performance tests .
That was cancelled when the summer examinations were postponed in May and the system of calculated grades was introduced instead .
Planned Junior Cycle written examinations for adult learners will also take place in November 2020 .
Additional information for students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available at examinations.ie when the student portal opens on Monday .

Those who opt to sit the exams and go on to receive an improved CAO offer on foot of the results will also receive a deferred college offer, and can start their course in the 2021/22 academic year.
Applications to sit the 2020 Leaving Certificate in November will open on Monday, although this year’s exams will not include the usual oral or practical elements.
On Friday, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) said the entry process can be accessed from 9am through the Calculated Grades Student Portal and those intent on sitting the exams have until 5pm on Friday to apply.
Subject to public health advice, the exams will begin on Monday, November 16th and conclude on Friday, December 11th.
One exam will take place on weekday evenings from 5.30pm, and two each on Saturdays and Sundays from 9.30am and 2pm.
READ MORE
For those dissatisfied with previous calculated grades, the SEC has said anyone taking the exams will receive whichever is the higher grade from both processes. Exam results from the written tests are expected in early February.
Those who opt to sit the exams and go on to receive an improved CAO offer on foot of the results will also receive a deferred college offer, and can start their course in the 2021/22 academic year.
The SEC said that in a situation where a candidate who has already started first year of a course becomes entitled to a higher CAO offer and chooses to accept it, attendance for their first year on the new course would remain eligible for free fees and SUSI funding where appropriate.
It is intended that candidates will sit their exams in the school where they had been entered last June and anyone who cannot attend them can apply in 2021.
Differences
There are some other key differences in the 2020 approach. The SEC noted that it “would not be feasible or practical at this stage” to conduct oral or practical components, or to try to complete unfinished coursework.
“The oral and practical components are school-based, requiring significant levels of support at school level, including the requirement to take serving teachers out of their schools to undertake state examinations work,” it said.
However, in the case of five subjects – Home Economics practical coursework; LCVP Portfolio; Design and Communication Graphics practical coursework; Physical Education (PE) Physical Activity Project; and Engineering practicals – coursework which had been completed prior to school closure will be marked and included in grading.
In all other subjects, candidates will be awarded grades solely on the written papers.
The SEC also moved to clarify changes to an earlier arrangement from March that full marks would be awarded in respect of oral language and music performance tests. That was cancelled when the summer examinations were postponed in May and the system of calculated grades was introduced instead.
Planned Junior Cycle written examinations for adult learners will also take place in November 2020.
Additional information for students, including exam timetables, will be available at examinations.ie when the student portal opens on Monday.


theirishtimes--2020-09-25--Targeted checkpoints in Donegal to oversee adherence to Level 3 restrictions

High-visibility gardaí and targeted checkpoints are to be rolled out across Co Donegal to oversee adherence to the increased level of public health restrictions .
Operation Fanacht will commence from midnight on Friday to coincide with the county ’ s escalation to level 3 of the Government ’ s plan for living with Covid-19 .
It will see a high level of garda activity to support the public health guidelines , particularly in relation to social distancing and gathering in large groups at amenities and open spaces .
Outlining plans on Friday , gardaí said targeted checkpoints will also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda Síochána wants to remind everyone that people are being encouraged not to travel out of or into the county of Donegal unless absolutely necessary , ” it said in a statement .
The operation is to be supplemented by personnel from nearby counties , particularly Leitrim and Sligo .
Co-operation will also continue with the Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) through rolling cross-border checkpoints in various locations .
As it issued its statement , gardaí again repeated its policy of adopting a graduated response based on “ policing by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , education and encouragement , and the use of enforcement only as a last resort .
Although they will be encouraging members of the public to adhere to appeals to limit travel they are unable to enforce such measures as they are not penal regulations .
“ We all have a role individually and collectively in protecting ourselves , our families , our communities and the most vulnerable , ” said Deputy Commissioner for Policing and Security , John Twomey .
“ It is vital that we all play our part to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the public health regulations and guidelines .
An Garda Síochána will do its part in keeping people safe .
Operation Fanacht is intended to work with communities to support public health measures.
” Gardaí have also reminded those in fear of domestic abuse to seek assistance .
Meanwhile , Operation Navigation , which focuses on compliance with public health regulations by licensed premises , will continue nationwide .

Garda checkpoint in Fairview, Dublin following the introduction of Level 3 restrictions. File photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
High-visibility gardaí and targeted checkpoints are to be rolled out across Co Donegal to oversee adherence to the increased level of public health restrictions.
Operation Fanacht will commence from midnight on Friday to coincide with the county’s escalation to level 3 of the Government’s plan for living with Covid-19.
It will see a high level of garda activity to support the public health guidelines, particularly in relation to social distancing and gathering in large groups at amenities and open spaces.
Outlining plans on Friday, gardaí said targeted checkpoints will also be established throughout the county.
READ MORE
"An Garda Síochána wants to remind everyone that people are being encouraged not to travel out of or into the county of Donegal unless absolutely necessary," it said in a statement.
The operation is to be supplemented by personnel from nearby counties, particularly Leitrim and Sligo.
Co-operation will also continue with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) through rolling cross-border checkpoints in various locations.
‘Policing by consent’
As it issued its statement, gardaí again repeated its policy of adopting a graduated response based on “policing by consent” with an emphasis on engagement, education and encouragement, and the use of enforcement only as a last resort.
Although they will be encouraging members of the public to adhere to appeals to limit travel they are unable to enforce such measures as they are not penal regulations.
"We all have a role individually and collectively in protecting ourselves, our families, our communities and the most vulnerable," said Deputy Commissioner for Policing and Security, John Twomey.
“It is vital that we all play our part to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 by adhering to the public health regulations and guidelines. An Garda Síochána will do its part in keeping people safe. Operation Fanacht is intended to work with communities to support public health measures.”
Gardaí have also reminded those in fear of domestic abuse to seek assistance.
Meanwhile, Operation Navigation, which focuses on compliance with public health regulations by licensed premises, will continue nationwide.


theirishtimes--2020-09-25--Boy (15) injured in apparent racist attack in Dublin park

A 15 year-old boy was assaulted and injured during an apparently racially motivated attack in a Dublin park on Monday @ @ @ @ @ by three young men in the Eamonn Ceannt Park in Crumlin at lunchtime while with @ @ @ @ @ understood the boy received a number of blows to the face during the attack and @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Children ’ s Hospital in Crumlin for treatment for non-life threatening injuries .
@ @ @ @ @ a 14 year-old boy , was also assaulted when he tried to intervene .
The @ @ @ @ @ foot .
One of the men was reported to be wearing a black jacket while @ @ @ @ @ as wearing a dark grey jacket and a blue jacket .
No arrests have been @ @ @ @ @ Road Garda station have appealed for any witnesses , anyone in the park between noon @ @ @ @ @ or anyone with camera footage to come forward .

A 15 year-old boy was assaulted and injured during an apparently racially motivated attack in a Dublin park on Monday.
The boy was attacked by three young men in the Eamonn Ceannt Park in Crumlin at lunchtime while with his friends.
It is understood the boy received a number of blows to the face during the attack and was taken to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin for treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
One of his friends, a 14 year-old boy, was also assaulted when he tried to intervene.
READ MORE
The attackers left the park on foot. One of the men was reported to be wearing a black jacket while the other two were reported as wearing a dark grey jacket and a blue jacket.
No arrests have been made.
Gardaí at Sundrive Road Garda station have appealed for any witnesses, anyone in the park between noon and 12.30pm on Monday, or anyone with camera footage to come forward.


theirishtimes--2020-09-25--Covid-19 outbreak confirmed at Regional Hospital Mullingar

Patients and staff on a ward at Regional Hospital Mullingar are being tested for Covid-19 following an outbreak of the virus .
Management confirmed the situation at the hospital on Friday and said it had closed the ward to new patients but that in the meantime those already in situ will continue with their care .
An unspecified number of patients have tested positive for the coronavirus .
“ The ward is closed to new admissions , discharges and transfers out .
Patients in the ward will continue with their care and treatments , ” the hospital said .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Outbreak Control Team was convened and is undertaking testing and contact tracing of both staff and patients .
Management have also said that any staff identified as close contacts of those confirmed cases are now self-isolating .
“ The hospital would like to reassure staff and patients that the appropriate steps have been taken in accordance with the national guidelines .
Staff and patients have been provided with key hospital contacts should any concerns need to be addressed , ” the statement said .
“ The protection of public health is of utmost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being taken to reduce the spread of Covid-19 at this time.
” People have been urged not to visit the facility .

Patients and staff on a ward at Regional Hospital Mullingar are being tested for Covid-19 following an outbreak of the virus.
Management confirmed the situation at the hospital on Friday and said it had closed the ward to new patients but that in the meantime those already in situ will continue with their care.
An unspecified number of patients have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Hospital Report
“The ward is closed to new admissions, discharges and transfers out. Patients in the ward will continue with their care and treatments,” the hospital said.
READ MORE
In accordance with HPSC guidelines, the Hospital Outbreak Control Team was convened and is undertaking testing and contact tracing of both staff and patients. Management have also said that any staff identified as close contacts of those confirmed cases are now self-isolating.
“The hospital would like to reassure staff and patients that the appropriate steps have been taken in accordance with the national guidelines. Staff and patients have been provided with key hospital contacts should any concerns need to be addressed,” the statement said.
“The protection of public health is of utmost importance to the Hospital and every effort is being taken to reduce the spread of Covid-19 at this time.”
People have been urged not to visit the facility.


theirishtimes--2020-09-25--Greystones locals pay tribute as well-known shopkeeper is laid to rest

A round of applause broke out in Greystones as the coffin of Bridie Mooney was carried the short distance from the Co Wicklow shop where she worked and lived for more than six decades to her local church .
Townspeople and local businesses had been asked to dim their lights and observe a minute ’ s silence at 1pm as the bells of the Church of the Holy Rosary were sounded .
At 1.01pm , as her family shouldered the coffin and a garda stood to attention , throngs of people socially distanced along the street clapped to show their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mooney – who was either a “ legend ” or “ an institution ” depending on which mourners you spoke to – had stood behind the counter of her traditional shop on Trafalgar Road , selling groceries , coal , newspapers and cigarettes .
Most importantly , for six decades of children who attended the nearby St Brigid ’ s and St David ’ s schools , she sold sweets , lemonade , crisps , ice cream and chocolate .
Smiles and wisdom were given out free .
In 2015 , Mrs Mooney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Year , announced on the shop ’ s Facebook page , Mrs Mooney ’ s Shop , that she intended to retire on Christmas Eve at the age of 86 .
The news sparked an outpouring of sadness and nostalgia among former schoolchildren , their parents and even their grandparents , who had crowded out her shop at break times , as well as other businesses in the town , not to mention friends of Bridie and her late husband Robbie , a coal merchant .
“ I am going to retire in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to myself .
I have enjoyed all your company for so many years ” she said in her retirement announcement which was marked in an article covering the greater part of a page in The Irish Times .
Despite protestations , Mrs Mooney was not for changing her mind : “ A lot of hard thought has gone into my decision and it is with a heavy heart that this decision has been made .
I want to thank all my loyal customers young , old , past , present for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years.
” She died in the Greystones Nursing Home on Wednesday surrounded by her family , having turned 91 in August .
As news broke of her passing , the Greystones Guide promoted the call from local hairdresser Susan Collins that all businesses down tools for 60 seconds , “ given that Bridie spent 62 years of her life keeping us all in sweets , cigs and papers down on Trafalgar Road ” .
Tributes were also made on the Facebook page , where her family posted a link to the funeral Mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close family due to the Covid-19 outbreak .
The extended Mooney family also expressed their own sadness .
“ We are all just devastated to say farewell to our beloved Bridie who passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning .
A huge part of the Greystones community and the matriarch of the Mooney family , her passing leaves us heartbroken but with so many joyful memories ” their post read .
Local pharmacist Fiona Roche , who was one of the schoolchildren to pass through the shop , said the author Maeve Binchy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing about her ” .

A round of applause broke out in Greystones as the coffin of Bridie Mooney was carried the short distance from the Co Wicklow shop where she worked and lived for more than six decades to her local church.
Townspeople and local businesses had been asked to dim their lights and observe a minute’s silence at 1pm as the bells of the Church of the Holy Rosary were sounded.
At 1.01pm, as her family shouldered the coffin and a garda stood to attention, throngs of people socially distanced along the street clapped to show their respect.
For 62 years, Mrs Mooney – who was either a “legend” or “an institution” depending on which mourners you spoke to – had stood behind the counter of her traditional shop on Trafalgar Road, selling groceries, coal, newspapers and cigarettes.
READ MORE
Most importantly, for six decades of children who attended the nearby St Brigid’s and St David’s schools, she sold sweets, lemonade, crisps, ice cream and chocolate. Smiles and wisdom were given out free.
Sadness and nostalgia
In 2015, Mrs Mooney, a former Greystones Person of the Year, announced on the shop’s Facebook page, Mrs Mooney’s Shop, that she intended to retire on Christmas Eve at the age of 86.
The news sparked an outpouring of sadness and nostalgia among former schoolchildren, their parents and even their grandparents, who had crowded out her shop at break times, as well as other businesses in the town, not to mention friends of Bridie and her late husband Robbie, a coal merchant.
“I am going to retire in my fine old age and take some time to myself. I have enjoyed all your company for so many years” she said in her retirement announcement which was marked in an article covering the greater part of a page in The Irish Times.
Despite protestations, Mrs Mooney was not for changing her mind: “A lot of hard thought has gone into my decision and it is with a heavy heart that this decision has been made. I want to thank all my loyal customers young, old, past, present for all your kind words and business throughout the years.”
Turned 91
She died in the Greystones Nursing Home on Wednesday surrounded by her family, having turned 91 in August.
As news broke of her passing, the Greystones Guide promoted the call from local hairdresser Susan Collins that all businesses down tools for 60 seconds, “given that Bridie spent 62 years of her life keeping us all in sweets, cigs and papers down on Trafalgar Road”.
Tributes were also made on the Facebook page, where her family posted a link to the funeral Mass, at which physical attendance was limited to close family due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The extended Mooney family also expressed their own sadness. “We are all just devastated to say farewell to our beloved Bridie who passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning. A huge part of the Greystones community and the matriarch of the Mooney family, her passing leaves us heartbroken but with so many joyful memories” their post read.
Local pharmacist Fiona Roche, who was one of the schoolchildren to pass through the shop, said the author Maeve Binchy “would have had a field day writing about her”.


theirishtimes--2020-09-25--Third attempt begins to fill chief State pathologist role

The Department of Justice has failed to find a replacement for Prof Marie Cassidy , who retired as chief State pathologist two years ago , despite two recruitment campaigns .
A worldwide shortage of pathologists is being blamed for the difficulties in recruiting qualified staff to the Office of the State Pathologist ( OSP ) which investigates all suspicious deaths in the State and assists in the identification of human remains .
“ Recruitment to senior positions at the office remains challenging , ” acting Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan said in the office ’ s annual report for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are currently just two State pathologists employed on a permanent basis as well as one locum and one part-time pathologist .
Last year a report by the Royal College of Physicians ( RCP ) raised concerns about the office ’ s ability to provide assistance in homicide investigations due to the staffing shortages .
There is no national training scheme for forensic pathologists in Ireland and the field is not recognised as a speciality by the Irish Medical Council .
It said there are not enough practitioners of forensic pathology to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is a prerequisite for the introduction of a training scheme .
This is a “ major factor giving rise to recruitment challenges ” , the RCP said .
Pay levels for OSP staff are also not considered attractive enough compared to equivalent positions in hospitals or in other countries , the report said .
“ There are serious staffing difficulties currently facing the OSP , ” the college said .
“ The primary concern is that there will not be enough staff to deliver the state forensic pathology service to the required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff spend a large portion of their time travelling around the country for their work .
Last year staff spent the equivalent of more than 50 work days travelling to mortuaries .
Prof Cassidy stepped down as chief State pathologist in 2018 .
Dr Michael Curtis served as acting chief State pathologist before also retiring last December .
Since then , Dr Mulligan has filled the role in an acting capacity .
“ The loss of Dr Curtis , an experienced , dedicated and widely respected forensic pathologist , was a significant one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s retirement .
His expert guidance and in-depth forensic knowledge will be difficult to replace , ” Dr Mulligan wrote .
Publishing the annual report , Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said her department “ is fully committed to working with the OSP in the coming years to give practical effect to the recommendations of the review ” .
There have now been two unsuccessful competitions for a permanent chief State pathologist with a third currently under way .
The office is also seeking to recruit an ordinary State pathologist .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , down from 196 in 2018 .
In 34 of those cases ( 18 per cent ) , a forensic pathologist attended at the scene where the remains were found .
The office also assisted in 27 cases of skeletonised remains of which 13 turned out to be animal bones .
All but one of the remaining human cases were found to involve “ ancient remains ” .

The Department of Justice has failed to find a replacement for Prof Marie Cassidy, who retired as chief State pathologist two years ago, despite two recruitment campaigns.
A worldwide shortage of pathologists is being blamed for the difficulties in recruiting qualified staff to the Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) which investigates all suspicious deaths in the State and assists in the identification of human remains.
"Recruitment to senior positions at the office remains challenging," acting Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan said in the office's annual report for 2019, which was released on Friday.
There are currently just two State pathologists employed on a permanent basis as well as one locum and one part-time pathologist.
READ MORE
Last year a report by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) raised concerns about the office’s ability to provide assistance in homicide investigations due to the staffing shortages.
There is no national training scheme for forensic pathologists in Ireland and the field is not recognised as a speciality by the Irish Medical Council. It said there are not enough practitioners of forensic pathology to justify its classification as a speciality, which is a prerequisite for the introduction of a training scheme.
Pay levels
This is a “major factor giving rise to recruitment challenges”, the RCP said.
Pay levels for OSP staff are also not considered attractive enough compared to equivalent positions in hospitals or in other countries, the report said.
“There are serious staffing difficulties currently facing the OSP,” the college said. “The primary concern is that there will not be enough staff to deliver the state forensic pathology service to the required level.”
It also noted that OSP staff spend a large portion of their time travelling around the country for their work. Last year staff spent the equivalent of more than 50 work days travelling to mortuaries.
Prof Cassidy stepped down as chief State pathologist in 2018. Dr Michael Curtis served as acting chief State pathologist before also retiring last December. Since then, Dr Mulligan has filled the role in an acting capacity.
“The loss of Dr Curtis, an experienced, dedicated and widely respected forensic pathologist, was a significant one, particularly so close to Prof Cassidy’s retirement. His expert guidance and in-depth forensic knowledge will be difficult to replace,” Dr Mulligan wrote.
Annual report
Publishing the annual report, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said her department “is fully committed to working with the OSP in the coming years to give practical effect to the recommendations of the review”.
There have now been two unsuccessful competitions for a permanent chief State pathologist with a third currently under way. The office is also seeking to recruit an ordinary State pathologist.
The OSP dealt with 188 suspicious deaths last year, down from 196 in 2018. In 34 of those cases (18 per cent), a forensic pathologist attended at the scene where the remains were found.
The office also assisted in 27 cases of skeletonised remains of which 13 turned out to be animal bones. All but one of the remaining human cases were found to involve “ancient remains”.


theirishtimes--2020-09-25--Cannabis worth €600,000 and €130,000 in cash seized by gardaí

Gardaí arrested six people and seized cannabis herb with an estimated value of €600,000 and €130,000 in cash after a @ @ @ @ @ and Wicklow on Thursday .
The searches were part of an investigation into the sale @ @ @ @ @ .
Gardaí intercepted a vehicle in Rathnew , Co Wicklow at about 3pm on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ was discovered in a briefcase and a 42-year-old man was detained at the scene .
@ @ @ @ @ stopped and searched on the Walkinstown Road in Co Dublin was found to contain €85,000 @ @ @ @ @ man was arrested and brought to Pearse Street garda station .
Both men were detained @ @ @ @ @ Criminal Justice Drugs Trafficking Act , 1996 .
A final search at a residence in @ @ @ @ @ cash and an additional smaller amount of cannabis .
The occupants , one woman and @ @ @ @ @ and brough to Pearse Street and Kevin Street garda stations .

The searches were part of an investigation into the sale and supply of illicit drugs. File photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
Gardaí arrested six people and seized cannabis herb with an estimated value of €600,000 and €130,000 in cash after a number of searches in Dublin and Wicklow on Thursday.
The searches were part of an investigation into the sale and supply of illicit drugs.
Gardaí intercepted a vehicle in Rathnew, Co Wicklow at about 3pm on Thursday where a quantity of cannabis was discovered in a briefcase and a 42-year-old man was detained at the scene.
Another vehicle that was later stopped and searched on the Walkinstown Road in Co Dublin was found to contain €85,000 in cash. A 46-year-old man was arrested and brought to Pearse Street garda station. Both men were detained under Section 2 of The Criminal Justice Drugs Trafficking Act, 1996.
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A final search at a residence in Dublin yielded another €45,000 in cash and an additional smaller amount of cannabis. The occupants, one woman and three men, were arrested and brough to Pearse Street and Kevin Street garda stations.
Invesitigations remain ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-09-25--Rush for Baptisms, Communions, Mass before Donegal enters Level 3

For a Friday morning , St Eunan ’ s Cathedral in Letterkenny is unusually busy .
There is 10am Mass , then a Baptism , and two primary school classes making their First Holy Communion .
“ It ’ s like Custer ’ s Last Stand in here , ” remarks one parishioner .
As of midnight , the cathedral closes for all but private prayer as the county moves to Level 3 of the Government ’ s plan for living with Covid-19 to combat the high levels of the virus in Donegal ; among other measures , it means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fresh restrictions for the hospitality industry , and a ban on travel into and out of the county , though with an exception for work , education or other essential purposes .
On the cathedral steps on Friday , Charlene Murray and Sunil Kumar pose briefly for a photograph before rushing inside so as not to miss their allocated time for their daughter Alaya ’ s Baptism .
“ We thought it would be cancelled , but we got a message last night to say it could go ahead , ” explains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her baptised while we could still do it.
” For others , it is about making the most of the last opportunity to go to Mass .
“ My outlet will be beach walks , ” says one elderly parishioner .
She admits to feeling “ very upset ” about the Level 3 restrictions , but emphasises “ we have to do it , for the good of the country .
“ We have been very good here , social distancing has been kept up , but I do think that to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everyone got very casual about it , you could see them out and about , ” says another Mass-goer , Dorothy Maguire , who adds that the people who had stuck by the rules already in place are “ seriously worried .
Now the [ new ] restrictions are in place , we need compliance from the rest.
” In the town centre , that charge of failing to follow the rules is laid , variously , against “ staycationers ” from the South , northerners – rates are as high across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people .
Also blamed are house parties and social gatherings such as birthday parties and wakes , premises which have failed to implement the guidelines and simple fatigue , not least in a county which previously experienced low levels of the virus .
“ It ’ s been going on for so long , I ’ m sick and tired of it , ” says 18-year-old Agata Mitek .
“ But you have to do what you have to do .
You have to follow the regulations.
” Blaming young people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s everybody , not just young people .
I ’ m trying to abide by the rules , but I work in a shop , and there are old people come in without masks and they ’ re coughing , but because they ’ re vulnerable nobody says anything.
” “ People talk about northeners , ” adds another woman , “ but so much of our business comes from the North .
We need them.
” At Dillon ’ s Hotel on the main street , the general manager , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rotas .
“ There are going to be at least 20 staff that I have no work for , for three weeks.
” Since the move to the Level 3 restrictions was announced , “ the phone has been going fairly steadily ” with cancellations .
“ It ’ s very hard to say anything positive , ” says McElhinney .
“ I really didn ’ t think I ’ d be doing this again so soon.
” The hotel will remain open , but approximately half of their bookings have been cancelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can serve only residents ; he questions the logic of this , not least given the safety measures the hotel has put in place , and says that though the support announced by the Government is welcome , more must be done : “ It isn ’ t going to replace the business lost in the next three days , never mind the next three weeks .
“ There is a question mark over the long-term viability of people ’ s businesses right now .
We ’ re not even in October , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November .
Our summer really starts at the end of April , and right now that feels like 10 years away.
” The president of the town ’ s chamber of commerce , Jimmy Stafford , emphasises that the impact will be widespread .
“ We all know somebody who ’ s working in an industry that ’ s going to be impacted , somebody who ’ s going to be laid off for three weeks or who ’ s going to have to shut their front door.
” “ We are paying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carelessness and complacency , ” said Jimmy Kennedy of the Brewery Bar .
“ People got complacent , forgot to do the things they should be doing and , as a result , everybody suffers.
” As staff prepared on Friday to serve their final carvery lunch before closing up at midnight for three weeks , Kennedy filled out his application for the Covid payment .
“ We have about 26 full-time staff and everybody ’ s going back on the Covid payment , and everybody has bills to pay and mortgages and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s very disheartening , it ’ s an awful kick in the teeth.
” Extra Government help will be needed “ to get us back on our feet ” ; what is currently on offer “ will help , but it ’ s hard to beat regular business ” .
Yet for all that , he remains hopeful .
“ It is a body blow , but we ’ ve been down this road once .
.
.
I think we can get back to a level which will keep everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can do some business .
”

St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny: With Level 3 restrictions coming into play, many made the most of the last opportunity to go to Mass. Photograph: Declan Doherty
For a Friday morning, St Eunan's Cathedral in Letterkenny is unusually busy. There is 10am Mass, then a Baptism, and two primary school classes making their First Holy Communion. "It's like Custer's Last Stand in here," remarks one parishioner.
As of midnight, the cathedral closes for all but private prayer as the county moves to Level 3 of the Government's plan for living with Covid-19 to combat the high levels of the virus in Donegal; among other measures, it means a ban on social and family gatherings, fresh restrictions for the hospitality industry, and a ban on travel into and out of the county, though with an exception for work, education or other essential purposes.
On the cathedral steps on Friday, Charlene Murray and Sunil Kumar pose briefly for a photograph before rushing inside so as not to miss their allocated time for their daughter Alaya's Baptism.
“We thought it would be cancelled, but we got a message last night to say it could go ahead,” explains Murray. “We wanted to get her baptised while we could still do it.”
READ MORE
For others, it is about making the most of the last opportunity to go to Mass. “My outlet will be beach walks,” says one elderly parishioner. She admits to feeling “very upset” about the Level 3 restrictions, but emphasises “we have to do it, for the good of the country.
The charge of failing to follow the rules is laid, variously, against 'staycationers' from the South, northerners and young people
“We have been very good here, social distancing has been kept up, but I do think that to a certain degree standards have slipped.”
"Everyone got very casual about it, you could see them out and about," says another Mass-goer, Dorothy Maguire, who adds that the people who had stuck by the rules already in place are "seriously worried. Now the [new] restrictions are in place, we need compliance from the rest."
‘Sick and tired’
In the town centre, that charge of failing to follow the rules is laid, variously, against "staycationers" from the South, northerners – rates are as high across the Border in Derry and Strabane – and young people.
Also blamed are house parties and social gatherings such as birthday parties and wakes, premises which have failed to implement the guidelines and simple fatigue, not least in a county which previously experienced low levels of the virus.
“It’s been going on for so long, I’m sick and tired of it,” says 18-year-old Agata Mitek. “But you have to do what you have to do. You have to follow the regulations.”
Blaming young people, she says, is unfair. “It’s everybody, not just young people. I’m trying to abide by the rules, but I work in a shop, and there are old people come in without masks and they’re coughing, but because they’re vulnerable nobody says anything.”
“People talk about northeners,” adds another woman, “but so much of our business comes from the North. We need them.”
At Dillon’s Hotel on the main street, the general manager, Robert McElhinney, is studying his staff rotas. “There are going to be at least 20 staff that I have no work for, for three weeks.”
It's very disheartening, it's an awful kick in the teeth
Since the move to the Level 3 restrictions was announced, “the phone has been going fairly steadily” with cancellations. “It’s very hard to say anything positive,” says McElhinney. “I really didn’t think I’d be doing this again so soon.”
Widespread impact
The hotel will remain open, but approximately half of their bookings have been cancelled and for the next three weeks they can serve only residents; he questions the logic of this, not least given the safety measures the hotel has put in place, and says that though the support announced by the Government is welcome, more must be done: “It isn’t going to replace the business lost in the next three days, never mind the next three weeks.
“There is a question mark over the long-term viability of people’s businesses right now. We’re not even in October, but it feels like the middle of November. Our summer really starts at the end of April, and right now that feels like 10 years away.”
The president of the town's chamber of commerce, Jimmy Stafford, emphasises that the impact will be widespread. "We all know somebody who's working in an industry that's going to be impacted, somebody who's going to be laid off for three weeks or who's going to have to shut their front door."
"We are paying the penalty for other people's carelessness and complacency," said Jimmy Kennedy of the Brewery Bar.
“People got complacent, forgot to do the things they should be doing and, as a result, everybody suffers.” As staff prepared on Friday to serve their final carvery lunch before closing up at midnight for three weeks, Kennedy filled out his application for the Covid payment.
“We have about 26 full-time staff and everybody’s going back on the Covid payment, and everybody has bills to pay and mortgages and kids,” he said. “It’s very disheartening, it’s an awful kick in the teeth.”
Extra Government help will be needed “to get us back on our feet”; what is currently on offer “will help, but it’s hard to beat regular business”.
Yet for all that, he remains hopeful. “It is a body blow, but we’ve been down this road once . . . I think we can get back to a level which will keep everybody safe in here and be quite confident we can do some business.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-25--High rent costs driving rise in number of homeless single adults

The number of homeless single adults increased again last month , even as the number of homeless overall fell by 26 , from 8,728 in July to 8,702 in August .
As families with children continue to exit homelessness - child numbers fell slightly from 2,651 in July to 2,620 last month - the number of adults without child dependents has been increasing steadily since April .
Figures from the Department of Housing published on Friday show there were 4,364 single adults in emergency accommodation in June ; 4,413 in July , and 4,463 last month .
Dublin and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeless single adults , with 2,962 and 436 respectively in August - up from 2,892 and 419 in July .
Dublin Simon said the steady increase in homeless adults was alarming .
Its chief executive , Sam McGuinness said : “ In four years , we have seen the number of single people in emergency accommodation increase by 100 per cent while the number of housing solutions for these people has failed time and again to measure up , or dried up completely .
It is nearly impossible for a single adult to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He called for “ dedicated targets and funding for one- and two-bedroom units , ” in the four Dublin local authorities .
The Peter McVerry Trust welcomed the drop in overall numbers but described as “ stubbornly high ” the number of single adults .
“ Strong consideration should be given to introducing specific annual targets for one-bedroom homes in each local authority , ” said its chief executive Pat Doyle .
The Simon Communities said emergency measures put in place at the start of the pandemic - including a freeze on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - had “ led to a very significant reduction in the number of people accessing emergency accommodation .
“ As fears for a second surge of the pandemic grows , it is vital that the preventative measures implemented earlier this year are reinstated ” .
Focus Ireland , also calling for this step , said since these measures lapsed its services were “ meeting tenants who are facing notices of terminations and evictions which is deeply worrying .
”

The high cost of rent for a single person is seen as one of the reasons for the rise in the number of homeless single adults. Photograph: The Irish Times
The number of homeless single adults increased again last month, even as the number of homeless overall fell by 26, from 8,728 in July to 8,702 in August.
As families with children continue to exit homelessness - child numbers fell slightly from 2,651 in July to 2,620 last month - the number of adults without child dependents has been increasing steadily since April.
Figures from the Department of Housing published on Friday show there were 4,364 single adults in emergency accommodation in June; 4,413 in July, and 4,463 last month.
Dublin and the Limerick/Clare areas had the highest numbers of homeless single adults, with 2,962 and 436 respectively in August - up from 2,892 and 419 in July.
READ MORE
Dublin Simon said the steady increase in homeless adults was alarming.
Its chief executive, Sam McGuinness said: “In four years, we have seen the number of single people in emergency accommodation increase by 100 per cent while the number of housing solutions for these people has failed time and again to measure up, or dried up completely. It is nearly impossible for a single adult to afford the rent charged in Dublin”.
He called for “dedicated targets and funding for one- and two-bedroom units,” in the four Dublin local authorities.
The Peter McVerry Trust welcomed the drop in overall numbers but described as “stubbornly high” the number of single adults.
"Strong consideration should be given to introducing specific annual targets for one-bedroom homes in each local authority," said its chief executive Pat Doyle.
The Simon Communities said emergency measures put in place at the start of the pandemic - including a freeze on rent increases and a moratorium on evictions - had "led to a very significant reduction in the number of people accessing emergency accommodation.
“As fears for a second surge of the pandemic grows, it is vital that the preventative measures implemented earlier this year are reinstated”.
Focus Ireland, also calling for this step, said since these measures lapsed its services were "meeting tenants who are facing notices of terminations and evictions which is deeply worrying."