theirishtimes--2020-04-29--Thousands of Junior Cycle exams scripts unlikely to be used

Hundreds of thousands of Junior Cycle exam scripts are unlikely to be used under revised plans to hold school-based assessments for students in schools during May .
Last month Minister for Education Joe McHugh announced that Junior Cycle exams in June for 60,000 students would be replaced with school-based tests in September .
It was planned at the time that the printed exam scripts would be distributed to all schools and form the basis for the tests .
However , these exams look set to be abandoned in favour of school-based assessments during May in most schools , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that allowing schools to use printed Junior Cycle exam scripts for their tests would pose major problems in the absence of a centralised timetable .
Schools say students could easily share the scripts on social media unless exams are coordinated across all schools at the same time .
Instead , most schools are likely to set and conduct their own assessments - such as written tests or project work - which will be marked by students ’ teachers .
Schools will still be free to use official assessments provided from the State Examinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Assessment if they so wish , according to sources .
Department officials are due to meet with education stakeholders on Wednesday to finalise plans .
An official announcement is likely to follow this week .
The expected shift in policy follows concerns that delaying Junior Cycle exams would lead to unnecessary anxiety among students over the summer months and logistical problems for schools in autumn .
Despite the cancellation of Junior Cycle exams in June , sources say the majority of exam scripts are most likely printed already .
Over recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spring , with the largest subjects - such as English , maths and Irish - printed first and the smallest subjects printed towards May .
Hundreds of drafters , setters and translators are involved in setting the written exam papers .
As was flagged by Mr McHugh in his initial plan for Junior Cycle exams in September , school-based assessments in May will not be State-certified or marked by the State Examinations Commission .
Instead , these tests or assessment components will be graded by students ’ teachers and feed into a school-issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , which is given to all students .
This JCPA captures student achievements using a number of assessment elements undertaken over the three years of the junior cycle .
Instead of traditional grades , students are recorded as having either “ achieved ” or “ not achieved ” an area of learning .
Confusion over the future of the Junior Cycle exams was first sparked by a secondary school in Co Galway – Coláiste Bhaile Chláir – which announced last week that it would set its own j tests for students in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September .
It was followed by Presentation Secondary School in Kilkenny , which also announced on Wednesday that it was going ahead with its own exams for its junior cycle students .
Both said they were taking the move to avoid students being placed under “ extreme pressure ” over the summer .
This prompted an appeal by Mr McHugh for schools to hold off making decisions on Junior Cycle assessments until discussions took place with representatives of students , parents and schools .

Junior cycle exams proposed for September look set to be abandoned in favour of school-based assessments during May, according to well-placed sources. File image: Eric Luke/The Irish Times
Hundreds of thousands of Junior Cycle exam scripts are unlikely to be used under revised plans to hold school-based assessments for students in schools during May.
Last month Minister for Education Joe McHugh announced that Junior Cycle exams in June for 60,000 students would be replaced with school-based tests in September.
It was planned at the time that the printed exam scripts would be distributed to all schools and form the basis for the tests.
However, these exams look set to be abandoned in favour of school-based assessments during May in most schools, according to well-placed sources.
READ MORE
There is a recognition that allowing schools to use printed Junior Cycle exam scripts for their tests would pose major problems in the absence of a centralised timetable.
Schools say students could easily share the scripts on social media unless exams are coordinated across all schools at the same time.
Instead, most schools are likely to set and conduct their own assessments - such as written tests or project work - which will be marked by students’ teachers.
Schools will still be free to use official assessments provided from the State Examinations Commission or the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment if they so wish, according to sources.
Department officials are due to meet with education stakeholders on Wednesday to finalise plans. An official announcement is likely to follow this week.
The expected shift in policy follows concerns that delaying Junior Cycle exams would lead to unnecessary anxiety among students over the summer months and logistical problems for schools in autumn.
Despite the cancellation of Junior Cycle exams in June , sources say the majority of exam scripts are most likely printed already.
Over recent years, this process has occurred during the spring, with the largest subjects - such as English, maths and Irish - printed first and the smallest subjects printed towards May.
Hundreds of drafters, setters and translators are involved in setting the written exam papers.
As was flagged by Mr McHugh in his initial plan for Junior Cycle exams in September, school-based assessments in May will not be State-certified or marked by the State Examinations Commission.
Instead, these tests or assessment components will be graded by students' teachers and feed into a school-issued Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA), which is given to all students.
This JCPA captures student achievements using a number of assessment elements undertaken over the three years of the junior cycle.
Instead of traditional grades, students are recorded as having either “achieved” or “not achieved” an area of learning.
Confusion over the future of the Junior Cycle exams was first sparked by a secondary school in Co Galway – Coláiste Bhaile Chláir – which announced last week that it would set its own j tests for students in May instead of waiting for exams in September.
It was followed by Presentation Secondary School in Kilkenny, which also announced on Wednesday that it was going ahead with its own exams for its junior cycle students.
Both said they were taking the move to avoid students being placed under “extreme pressure” over the summer.
This prompted an appeal by Mr McHugh for schools to hold off making decisions on Junior Cycle assessments until discussions took place with representatives of students, parents and schools.


theirishtimes--2020-04-29--Student social innovation competition due to take place online

Fifty competitors from 10 universities and colleges across Ireland will compete online this year to become the winner of Enactus 2020 , a national competition for Ireland ’ s next generation of social entrepreneurs and innovators .
Issues relating to homelessness , the integration of asylum seekers and environmental challenges willbe addressed by competitors in his year ’ s competition .
The winners will join some 3,500 student , business and academic leaders from around the world at this year ’ s Enactus World Cup due to take place in September .
This year ’ s competition was originally due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chartered Accountants House , in Dublin , but amid continuing disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic , it will now be held online between the 25th -28th May instead .
Entrants will present their social entrepreneurship projects through a mix of pre-recorded and live video sessions and proceedings will be live-streamed to the Enactus website .
Fiona O ’ Byrne , Country Manager of Enactus Ireland said , “ Like many other events and programmes we were faced with a choice to cancel or innovate and try to bring the whole competition online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring it online ” .
“ Considering the current challenges facing Ireland and the nature of the projects , we felt it was extremely important to persevere through this period and give the students the time and platform they deserve ” .
“ While Covid-19 and health concerns are very topical , the projects this year focus on resourceful ways to address some of the ongoing social issues in Ireland today such as the integration of our asylum seekers , addressing environmental challenges and tackling homelessness ” .
“ These projects are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homelessness and discrimination have not gone away .
As a society , we must continue to tackle these issues , and now due to Covid-19 , we will be tackling them with far fewer resources .
That is why Organisers are even more inspired by the projects and are really looking forward to the final presentations ” .
Enactus Ireland is part of an international platform dedicated to developing the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders and social innovators .
Students are supported and encouraged to create and implement social entrepreneurial projects which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Devin Toner , Ireland International Rugby Player and Enactus Ireland board member , said “ I am absolutely delighted to be involved with Enactus and to be supporting the work of this programme .
“ Social innovation has never been so critical , and it is vitally important that we support our students with their innovations now as we will depend on them to come up with new ways to tackle prevalent social issues.
” .
“ This year ’ s competition theme is ‘ Taking Action ’ as we believe this summarises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our students at this time .
Generally , at this stage , they would be in workshops in their universities working as a team and getting clear hands-on guidance from their tutor .
This year they must try and stay motivated and complete their team project working remotely ” .
“ As we approach the final weeks of the competition , it is clear to see the students are really excelling under the new challenge and we are so proud of that .
”

Fifty competitors from 10 universities and colleges across Ireland will compete online this year to become the winner of Enactus 2020, a national competition for Ireland's next generation of social entrepreneurs and innovators.
Issues relating to homelessness, the integration of asylum seekers and environmental challenges willbe addressed by competitors in his year’s competition.
The winners will join some 3,500 student, business and academic leaders from around the world at this year’s Enactus World Cup due to take place in September.
This year’s competition was originally due to take place on 28th May in Chartered Accountants House, in Dublin, but amid continuing disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic, it will now be held online between the 25th -28th May instead.
READ MORE
Entrants will present their social entrepreneurship projects through a mix of pre-recorded and live video sessions and proceedings will be live-streamed to the Enactus website.
Online
Fiona O’Byrne, Country Manager of Enactus Ireland said, “Like many other events and programmes we were faced with a choice to cancel or innovate and try to bring the whole competition online. Naturally, our choice was to bring it online”.
“Considering the current challenges facing Ireland and the nature of the projects, we felt it was extremely important to persevere through this period and give the students the time and platform they deserve”.
“While Covid-19 and health concerns are very topical, the projects this year focus on resourceful ways to address some of the ongoing social issues in Ireland today such as the integration of our asylum seekers, addressing environmental challenges and tackling homelessness”.
“These projects are more important than ever as issues such as homelessness and discrimination have not gone away. As a society, we must continue to tackle these issues, and now due to Covid-19, we will be tackling them with far fewer resources. That is why Organisers are even more inspired by the projects and are really looking forward to the final presentations”.
Enactus Ireland is part of an international platform dedicated to developing the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders and social innovators.
Students are supported and encouraged to create and implement social entrepreneurial projects which are financially, socially and environmentally sustainable.
Critical
Devin Toner, Ireland International Rugby Player and Enactus Ireland board member, said “I am absolutely delighted to be involved with Enactus and to be supporting the work of this programme.
“Social innovation has never been so critical, and it is vitally important that we support our students with their innovations now as we will depend on them to come up with new ways to tackle prevalent social issues.”.
“This year’s competition theme is ‘Taking Action’ as we believe this summarises the approach and attitudes being taken by our students at this time. Generally, at this stage, they would be in workshops in their universities working as a team and getting clear hands-on guidance from their tutor. This year they must try and stay motivated and complete their team project working remotely”.
“As we approach the final weeks of the competition, it is clear to see the students are really excelling under the new challenge and we are so proud of that.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Majority want Government to lift restrictions slowly – ESRI study

A majority of people want the Government to go slowly in lifting the restrictions in place and remain nervous , particularly about the risk of a second surge of the Covid-19 virus , according to new research by the Economic and Social Research Institute ( ESRI ) .
The clamour for a quick lifting of restrictions is coming from a “ vocal minority ” , according to Dr Pete Lunn , head of the ESRI ’ s behavioural science unit , who led the study team .
“ A comfortable majority of people want to go slowly and are quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study , commissioned by the Government as part of its monitoring of public attitudes , was conducted late last week and involved asking different groups of people about their reactions to various scenarios in which restrictions were eased .
While final results are still being compiled , Dr Lunn said it was clear that a majority of people , while they want to see progress in lifting restrictions , want the Government to move “ slowly and carefully ” and remain concerned about their personal safety .
In particular , the study picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of a second surge of the virus ” .
Many will also be slow to return to being more active even if restrictions are lifted .
There is a minority who take the opposite view and have been vocal in putting the case for lifting restrictions , according to Dr Lunn .
The study will be examined by a sub-group of the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) and is likely to be one of the pieces of evidence feeding into the Government decision at the end of the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also been compiling tracking data on people ’ s compliance with the restrictions put in place .
Dr Lunn said about 15-20 per cent of people say they have become less scrupulous in following the regulations .
However , about 80 per cent say they are still following the rules more or less to the letter .
It was clear , said Dr Lunn , that for the vast bulk of people the regulations were still guiding their daily activities .
A bit more traffic on the roads or people outside had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired of the restrictions and non-compliance was on a significant scale , he said .
However , this was being driven by people judging what they could see , he said , and “ we can ’ t see people staying inside in their houses ” .
People realised there was a trade-off involved in the decisions to come , he said , and recognised the economic and social costs , but felt that the balance should still be towards caution .

A Garda checkpoint in operation on the N7: The ESRI’s Dr Lunn says that for the vast bulk of people, the regulations are still guiding their daily activities. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
A majority of people want the Government to go slowly in lifting the restrictions in place and remain nervous, particularly about the risk of a second surge of the Covid-19 virus, according to new research by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
The clamour for a quick lifting of restrictions is coming from a "vocal minority", according to Dr Pete Lunn, head of the ESRI's behavioural science unit, who led the study team. "A comfortable majority of people want to go slowly and are quite scared," he said.
The study, commissioned by the Government as part of its monitoring of public attitudes, was conducted late last week and involved asking different groups of people about their reactions to various scenarios in which restrictions were eased.
While final results are still being compiled, Dr Lunn said it was clear that a majority of people, while they want to see progress in lifting restrictions, want the Government to move “slowly and carefully” and remain concerned about their personal safety. In particular, the study picked up “very significant worry about the risk of a second surge of the virus”.
READ MORE
Many will also be slow to return to being more active even if restrictions are lifted. There is a minority who take the opposite view and have been vocal in putting the case for lifting restrictions, according to Dr Lunn.
Government decision
The study will be examined by a sub-group of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and is likely to be one of the pieces of evidence feeding into the Government decision at the end of the week on how to proceed.
The ESRI has also been compiling tracking data on people’s compliance with the restrictions put in place. Dr Lunn said about 15-20 per cent of people say they have become less scrupulous in following the regulations. However, about 80 per cent say they are still following the rules more or less to the letter.
It was clear, said Dr Lunn, that for the vast bulk of people the regulations were still guiding their daily activities. A bit more traffic on the roads or people outside had led to speculation that people were getting tired of the restrictions and non-compliance was on a significant scale, he said. However, this was being driven by people judging what they could see, he said, and “we can’t see people staying inside in their houses”.
People realised there was a trade-off involved in the decisions to come, he said, and recognised the economic and social costs, but felt that the balance should still be towards caution.


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Coronavirus: Testing problems likely to tip scales against easing restrictions

Public health officials will base any decision on the future of the restrictions after May 4th on two main sets of factors ; what the numbers are telling us and how the system is coping .
We know the numbers in terms of new cases , death rates and ICU admissions are moving in the right direction ; the question is whether the trend is sufficiently positive to prevent the possibility of a second wave of infection .
Tuesday ’ s figure of 229 new cases was the lowest since April 1st ; the daily number has bobbed around while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate of increase is down to about 1 per cent .
Tuesday saw 59 deaths reported , one of the highest daily figures .
The trend in fatalities in recent weeks has been strongly driven by the problems in nursing homes and other residential settings , which now account for 60 per cent of overall deaths .
Ireland ’ s death rate is now about the same as Sweden ’ s , which had no lockdown .
Hospital admissions for Covid-19 have been flat since near the start of April .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has fallen from a high of 160 on April 9th to 113 this week .
With at least half of ICU standing capacity unused , even before account is taken of hundreds of surge capacity beds , it is clear the hospital system has been able to deal with the first wave of infection in this epidemic with some margin of comfort .
The same can not be said of the system ’ s ability to test people for the disease widely and quickly .
Targets have been set and reset , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week has not been reached – now the target date is May 18th .
And whereas public health officials have long said they want “ real-time ” testing – meaning results are returned within hours – the system is taking three to four days to deliver a result after a test has been sought , and an average of six days to complete contact tracing .
An overall index of performance in an epidemic is the R0 or reproduction number , a measure of how many other people a person with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be below 1 – so that each case infects fewer than one other person – for the epidemic to start dying out .
Ireland ’ s R0 has been below 1 for several weeks now , and currently stands at a little over 0.5 .
This figure should allow for the easing of measures , yet Irish officials seem nervous about the reliability of this indicator .
Germany , with an R0 of 0.9 , is easing measures in many states , as is the UK , where the figure stands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Auckland in New Zealand shows Ireland , along with other countries , succeeded in reducing R0 significantly through the imposition of restrictive measures .
However , our reduction was one of the lowest of the 16 countries surveyed .
While in part this is because Irish restrictions have been in place for a shorter period , the data shows we under-performed against countries such as Norway and Iceland , where the disease has followed a similar time trajectory to our own .
In general , faster implementation and longer duration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R0 , the research found .
The contrast with New Zealand , which has throttled the disease on the back of a quickly-imposed ban on international travel , and Ireland , which has largely shied away from interfering with the free movement of people , is salutary .
One of the problems facing anyone trying to analyse Ireland ’ s performance is the lack of information available .
Key data – for example on testing or deaths – is often served up at National Public Health Emergency Team ’ s ( NPHET ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coherent fashion .
New Zealand , in contrast , publishes detail on individual clusters and even cases , down to flight numbers where travel was involved .
It also releases figures on lab testing and capability , and an ethnic breakdown of cases .
Here , it is hard to get a sense of what is really going on in the community from the information provided .
The massive rise in outbreaks in care settings has been documented , but this has limited ramifications for the wider community , so long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitored .
Worryingly , two-thirds of transmission of the virus is in the community – New Zealand classifies only 4 per cent of its cases as of “ unknown source ” – yet no granular detail about these cases is provided .
Are these clusters occurring in a particular ethnic group , for example ?
Or group of workers ?
Or geographical areas ?
Overall , the figures suggest some easing of restrictions is possible , though the number of new cases is a worry and the situation would have to be monitored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For the time being , however , problems with testing and worries over the ongoing supply of protective equipment for healthcare workers are likely to tip the decision against any major loosening of the restrictions .

The number of confirmed cases in critical care beds has fallen from a high of 160 on April 9th to 113 this week. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Public health officials will base any decision on the future of the restrictions after May 4th on two main sets of factors; what the numbers are telling us and how the system is coping.
We know the numbers in terms of new cases, death rates and ICU admissions are moving in the right direction; the question is whether the trend is sufficiently positive to prevent the possibility of a second wave of infection.
Tuesday’s figure of 229 new cases was the lowest since April 1st; the daily number has bobbed around while generally reducing over time. The daily rate of increase is down to about 1 per cent.
Tuesday saw 59 deaths reported, one of the highest daily figures. The trend in fatalities in recent weeks has been strongly driven by the problems in nursing homes and other residential settings, which now account for 60 per cent of overall deaths. Ireland’s death rate is now about the same as Sweden’s, which had no lockdown.
READ MORE
Hospital admissions for Covid-19 have been flat since near the start of April. The number of confirmed cases in critical care beds has fallen from a high of 160 on April 9th to 113 this week.
With at least half of ICU standing capacity unused, even before account is taken of hundreds of surge capacity beds, it is clear the hospital system has been able to deal with the first wave of infection in this epidemic with some margin of comfort.
The same cannot be said of the system’s ability to test people for the disease widely and quickly. Targets have been set and reset, and still the Holy Grail of 100,000 tests a week has not been reached – now the target date is May 18th.
And whereas public health officials have long said they want “real-time” testing – meaning results are returned within hours – the system is taking three to four days to deliver a result after a test has been sought, and an average of six days to complete contact tracing.
Reproduction number
An overall index of performance in an epidemic is the R0 or reproduction number, a measure of how many other people a person with the disease goes on to infect. This needs to be below 1 – so that each case infects fewer than one other person – for the epidemic to start dying out.
Ireland’s R0 has been below 1 for several weeks now, and currently stands at a little over 0.5. This figure should allow for the easing of measures, yet Irish officials seem nervous about the reliability of this indicator.
Germany, with an R0 of 0.9, is easing measures in many states, as is the UK, where the figure stands at about 0.7.
Research at the University of Auckland in New Zealand shows Ireland, along with other countries, succeeded in reducing R0 significantly through the imposition of restrictive measures.
However, our reduction was one of the lowest of the 16 countries surveyed. While in part this is because Irish restrictions have been in place for a shorter period, the data shows we under-performed against countries such as Norway and Iceland, where the disease has followed a similar time trajectory to our own.
In general, faster implementation and longer duration of restrictive measures yielded the greatest reductions in R0, the research found. The contrast with New Zealand, which has throttled the disease on the back of a quickly-imposed ban on international travel, and Ireland, which has largely shied away from interfering with the free movement of people, is salutary.
Lack of information
One of the problems facing anyone trying to analyse Ireland’s performance is the lack of information available. Key data – for example on testing or deaths – is often served up at National Public Health Emergency Team’s (NPHET) daily briefings but is not published in a coherent fashion.
New Zealand, in contrast, publishes detail on individual clusters and even cases, down to flight numbers where travel was involved. It also releases figures on lab testing and capability, and an ethnic breakdown of cases.
Here, it is hard to get a sense of what is really going on in the community from the information provided. The massive rise in outbreaks in care settings has been documented, but this has limited ramifications for the wider community, so long as staff exposed to the virus are properly monitored.
Worryingly, two-thirds of transmission of the virus is in the community – New Zealand classifies only 4 per cent of its cases as of “unknown source” – yet no granular detail about these cases is provided. Are these clusters occurring in a particular ethnic group, for example? Or group of workers? Or geographical areas?
Overall, the figures suggest some easing of restrictions is possible, though the number of new cases is a worry and the situation would have to be monitored closely for any resurgence of the virus. For the time being, however, problems with testing and worries over the ongoing supply of protective equipment for healthcare workers are likely to tip the decision against any major loosening of the restrictions.


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Schools and colleges unlikely to reopen until September

Creches for children of non-essential workers would not open until the later stages of the phased plan to ease coronavirus restrictions , under draft proposals being worked on by officials .
The later stages of the plan being worked on by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) include the reopening of schools , colleges and other education facilities .
It is understood the aim would be for this to apply from the start of the school and academic year in September , and social distancing rules would still apply .
The phases of the plan to lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase , early phase stage one , early phase stage two , middle phases and late phases .
The latter two phases could be broken down into more stages .
While the latest drafts of the document do not specify dates , earlier drafts spaced the phases out in periods between early May and September .
Creches would open in the middle stages for the children of essential workers , but would not open for other workers until the late phases and on a staged basis – such as one day a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not open until the middle phases .
It is understood that this would be possible only where protective equipment is available .
Playgrounds , it is understood , would open in early phase stage two , while outdoor walks and parks where people are not stationary , are moving and can respect social distancing would reopen in the initial phase .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the daily numbers of deaths , new cases and ICU patients associated with coronavirus suggest the conditions are not yet suitable to lift the restrictions on commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 , were introduced on March 28th and are due to last until at least May 5th .
Speaking on Wednesday , Mr Varadkar said it was “ totally incorrect ” to say that restrictions were not yet being lifted because the testing capacity was not where it needed to be .
“ Why we are not reopening at this stage is because of the high number of people in ICU who have Covid , the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day is still very high and the fact that we ’ re still seeing quite a lot of new cases every day , ” he said .
Mr Varadkar said a number of factors had to be taken into account and said these would be reviewed by Dr Tony Holohan , the chief medical officer , and NPHET on Friday .
“ I don ’ t think I ’ d be out of school by saying that those numbers just aren ’ t good enough yet .
Maybe it ’ ll change significantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand , I don ’ t think we ’ re there yet.
” On emerging Cabinet divisions over the timing of the easing of restrictions , Mr Varadkar said he expected to hear different views from Ministers .
“ Any time you get 15 or 20 people in the room and ask for their views on something , you ’ re going to have different views .
And if I wasn ’ t hearing different views from my Ministers on any issue , I would actually be quite worried because that would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are somehow afraid to express their opinions .
”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and nurses Leona Byrne and Sarah Totney at the Covid-19 Community Assessment Hub in DCU in Dublin. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Creches for children of non-essential workers would not open until the later stages of the phased plan to ease coronavirus restrictions, under draft proposals being worked on by officials.
The later stages of the plan being worked on by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) include the reopening of schools, colleges and other education facilities.
It is understood the aim would be for this to apply from the start of the school and academic year in September, and social distancing rules would still apply.
The phases of the plan to lift restrictions are broken down as: initial phase, early phase stage one, early phase stage two, middle phases and late phases. The latter two phases could be broken down into more stages.
READ MORE
While the latest drafts of the document do not specify dates, earlier drafts spaced the phases out in periods between early May and September.
Creches would open in the middle stages for the children of essential workers, but would not open for other workers until the late phases and on a staged basis – such as one day a week from the start.
Hairdressers would also not open until the middle phases. It is understood that this would be possible only where protective equipment is available.
Playgrounds, it is understood, would open in early phase stage two, while outdoor walks and parks where people are not stationary, are moving and can respect social distancing would reopen in the initial phase.
Commercial and social life
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the daily numbers of deaths, new cases and ICU patients associated with coronavirus suggest the conditions are not yet suitable to lift the restrictions on commercial and social life.
Restrictions imposed by the Government in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, were introduced on March 28th and are due to last until at least May 5th.
Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Varadkar said it was “totally incorrect” to say that restrictions were not yet being lifted because the testing capacity was not where it needed to be.
“Why we are not reopening at this stage is because of the high number of people in ICU who have Covid, the fact that the number of deaths being reported every day is still very high and the fact that we’re still seeing quite a lot of new cases every day,” he said.
Mr Varadkar said a number of factors had to be taken into account and said these would be reviewed by Dr Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer, and NPHET on Friday.
“I don’t think I’d be out of school by saying that those numbers just aren’t good enough yet. Maybe it’ll change significantly by Friday. But, as things stand, I don’t think we’re there yet.”
On emerging Cabinet divisions over the timing of the easing of restrictions, Mr Varadkar said he expected to hear different views from Ministers.
“Any time you get 15 or 20 people in the room and ask for their views on something, you’re going to have different views. And if I wasn’t hearing different views from my Ministers on any issue, I would actually be quite worried because that would be a sign of groupthink or a sign that they are somehow afraid to express their opinions.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Taking the sting out of vaccine delivery

You work on vaccines that don ’ t need to be delivered using large needles , I like the sound of that .
What are you developing ?
I am working on delivery systems for vaccines that either use microneedles , where you put a patch on your skin and the vaccine gets delivered painlessly that way , or else the vaccine can be taken orally , by mouth .
Are you currently working on vaccine delivery against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 ?
Yes , I have a collaboration with a biotechnology company in San Francisco called Vaxart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you swallow .
We know this induces great mucosal immune responses , such as in the airways .
This is where coronavirus replicates , so you want a strong immune response to the virus there .
They have shown that this protects humans against influenza virus infection and are now developing their platform for SARS-CoV-2 .
How did you develop an interest in science ?
In school I really liked history and science , and particularly chemistry .
Science won out and I studied biochemistry in Cork .
When I was an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where a researcher from California spoke about having lab barbecues on the beach .
This appealed to me and I decided research might be a good idea .
I did a PhD on HIV vaccines in NUI Maynooth , with Dr Kingston Mills , then I worked as a post-doctoral scientist in the US on HIV and Ebola virus vaccines .
Did research live up to your expectations ?
Was it all barbecues on the beach ?
No , in fact I was quite disillusioned at one point , but then I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on a shuttle bus to the NIH [ National Institutes of Health ] in the US , and I got chatting with a man who was a patient in a clinical trial .
He was so emotional about how science was saving his life that it changed my perspective , and I stayed in science .
I went to work at the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford and learned a lot about how to translate vaccines to the clinic , one of which is a universal flu vaccine .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleagues and friends are starting their Covid-19 vaccine clinical trial in the next few weeks .
And now you are in University College Cork – has the pandemic changed how you work ?
The rapid closure impacted all researchers , staff and students .
UCC is facilitating essential work related to Covid-19 , such as contact tracing , chemotherapy clinics and mass-producing testing buffers .
We are grateful that we have access to continue vaccine work .
And when might we have those other vaccines with no painful needles ?
We have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ microneedle patch for delivering vaccines , and we are streamlining the manufacturing process now .
We know it works well for the vaccine technologies being tested for SARS-CoV-2 .
The benefits will not only be that it doesn ’ t cause pain , it will mean vaccines loaded into the microneedles are stable and won ’ t need to be chilled in transport or storage , and it can be self-administered , so there are lots of advantages .
We just need to source some more funding to finish that project , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become more immediate .
Hopefully in the future , vaccines will be easy to administer , with a patch or a tablet .
This simplicity will make immunisation more equitable and increase the number of people protected against disease .

Dr Anne Moore: ‘Hopefully in the future, vaccines will be easy to administer, with a patch or a tablet.’
You work on vaccines that don’t need to be delivered using large needles, I like the sound of that. What are you developing?
I am working on delivery systems for vaccines that either use microneedles, where you put a patch on your skin and the vaccine gets delivered painlessly that way, or else the vaccine can be taken orally, by mouth.
Are you currently working on vaccine delivery against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19?
Yes, I have a collaboration with a biotechnology company in San Francisco called Vaxart. Their vaccine is in a tablet that you swallow. We know this induces great mucosal immune responses, such as in the airways.
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This is where coronavirus replicates, so you want a strong immune response to the virus there. They have shown that this protects humans against influenza virus infection and are now developing their platform for SARS-CoV-2.
How did you develop an interest in science?
In school I really liked history and science, and particularly chemistry. Science won out and I studied biochemistry in Cork. When I was an undergraduate, I went to a seminar where a researcher from California spoke about having lab barbecues on the beach.
This appealed to me and I decided research might be a good idea. I did a PhD on HIV vaccines in NUI Maynooth, with Dr Kingston Mills, then I worked as a post-doctoral scientist in the US on HIV and Ebola virus vaccines.
Did research live up to your expectations? Was it all barbecues on the beach?
No, in fact I was quite disillusioned at one point, but then I had a conversation that changed everything. I was on a shuttle bus to the NIH [National Institutes of Health] in the US, and I got chatting with a man who was a patient in a clinical trial. He was so emotional about how science was saving his life that it changed my perspective, and I stayed in science.
I went to work at the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford and learned a lot about how to translate vaccines to the clinic, one of which is a universal flu vaccine. It's great to see that these colleagues and friends are starting their Covid-19 vaccine clinical trial in the next few weeks.
And now you are in University College Cork – has the pandemic changed how you work?
The rapid closure impacted all researchers, staff and students. UCC is facilitating essential work related to Covid-19, such as contact tracing, chemotherapy clinics and mass-producing testing buffers. We are grateful that we have access to continue vaccine work.
And when might we have those other vaccines with no painful needles?
We have had some nice results with ImmuPatch, our microneedle patch for delivering vaccines, and we are streamlining the manufacturing process now. We know it works well for the vaccine technologies being tested for SARS-CoV-2.
The benefits will not only be that it doesn’t cause pain, it will mean vaccines loaded into the microneedles are stable and won’t need to be chilled in transport or storage, and it can be self-administered, so there are lots of advantages.
We just need to source some more funding to finish that project, and for now Covid work in UCC has become more immediate.
Hopefully in the future, vaccines will be easy to administer, with a patch or a tablet. This simplicity will make immunisation more equitable and increase the number of people protected against disease.


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--One HSE nurse redeployed for every five private nursing homes, data reveals

Neither private nor public medical staff have been redeployed to nursing homes at scale , new figures reveal , despite ongoing staffing difficulties in the sector .
According to figures supplied to Fianna Fáil health spokesman Stephen Donnelly , only one Health Service Executive nurse has been redeployed for every five private nursing homes , despite plans to help the struggling sector face mounting challenges posed by coronavirus outbreaks .
Some 85 nurses and 120 healthcare assistants had been deployed as of last Friday , according to data released by the HSE to Fianna Fáil .
Meanwhile , delays over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff under a deal announced between private home-help companies and the HSE in early April .
The level of home-help staff taking up shifts in nursing homes has been constrained , it is understood , after delays and contractual negotiations slowed roll-out of the scheme .
About 100 shifts were covered by home-help staff from the private sector during April , with sources indicating that at minimum , 2,000 shifts a month could be covered by the deal between the HSE and home-help companies .
Staffing issues in the State ’ s nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days and weeks as widespread testing in the settings last week revealed many previously undiagnosed , asymptomatic cases among staff , said Nursing Homes Ireland ( NHI ) chief executive Tadhg Daly .
“ From our point of view there are significant challenges in respect of staffing due to the fact many staff are out as a result of testing positive , many of them asymptomatic , ” he said .
According to figures released to Fianna Fáil , some 400 hospital patients had been released into nursing homes during the early stages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were symptomatic were tested .
Mr Donnelly said it was “ disappointing to see that the total numbers being deployed are small .
While thankfully there are nursing homes that don ’ t require support right now , there are many nursing homes with very high levels of nursing and other staff out sick or self-isolating .
At the same time , the private hospitals are currently at 33 per cent capacity .
Given that , it seems like there should be staff available from this sector for deployment.
” The deal governing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only finally signed off on Tuesday , despite being announced on April 2nd , The Irish Times has learned .
While some redeployments have taken place , the scale has been limited as issues around training , record keeping and indemnification delayed final agreement .
About 600 private home-help workers have indicated an interest in being redeployed , it is understood .
Due to the scaling back of some home-support services caused by the crisis , and the fact that many thousands of older people with lower priority needs cocooning , spare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a memo to NHI staff issued on Tuesday , member organisations were told that a framework agreement governing secondment of private sector home-help groups to nursing homes had been reached .
A HSE spokeswoman confirmed the deal had been signed , with the HSE funding it initially “ with costs to be recouped from the residential units/nursing homes in due course ” .
Joseph Musgrave , chief executive of Home and Community Care Ireland , the trade body for private home-help operators , said “ the first priority of our members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community .
We will continue to support our partners in the nursing home sector , and we hope to get an indication of how many staff are needed to allow everyone to plan effectively.
” Elsewhere , a Siptu spokesman said that grant-funded home-help groups where its members are working have not seen significant redeployment to nursing homes .

Some 85 nurses and 120 healthcare assistants had been deployed as of last Friday, according to data released by the HSE to Fianna Fáil. File photograph: Getty
Neither private nor public medical staff have been redeployed to nursing homes at scale, new figures reveal, despite ongoing staffing difficulties in the sector.
According to figures supplied to Fianna Fáil health spokesman Stephen Donnelly, only one Health Service Executive nurse has been redeployed for every five private nursing homes, despite plans to help the struggling sector face mounting challenges posed by coronavirus outbreaks.
Some 85 nurses and 120 healthcare assistants had been deployed as of last Friday, according to data released by the HSE to Fianna Fáil.
Meanwhile, delays over contractual negotiations stalled the redeployment of home-help staff under a deal announced between private home-help companies and the HSE in early April. The level of home-help staff taking up shifts in nursing homes has been constrained, it is understood, after delays and contractual negotiations slowed roll-out of the scheme.
READ MORE
About 100 shifts were covered by home-help staff from the private sector during April, with sources indicating that at minimum, 2,000 shifts a month could be covered by the deal between the HSE and home-help companies.
Staffing issues in the State's nursing homes will become more acute in coming days and weeks as widespread testing in the settings last week revealed many previously undiagnosed, asymptomatic cases among staff, said Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) chief executive Tadhg Daly.
“From our point of view there are significant challenges in respect of staffing due to the fact many staff are out as a result of testing positive, many of them asymptomatic,” he said.
According to figures released to Fianna Fáil, some 400 hospital patients had been released into nursing homes during the early stages of the crisis but only those who were symptomatic were tested.
Mr Donnelly said it was “disappointing to see that the total numbers being deployed are small. While thankfully there are nursing homes that don’t require support right now, there are many nursing homes with very high levels of nursing and other staff out sick or self-isolating. At the same time, the private hospitals are currently at 33 per cent capacity. Given that, it seems like there should be staff available from this sector for deployment.”
The deal governing the redeployment of private sector home-help staff was only finally signed off on Tuesday, despite being announced on April 2nd, The Irish Times has learned. While some redeployments have taken place, the scale has been limited as issues around training, record keeping and indemnification delayed final agreement.
Home-support services
About 600 private home-help workers have indicated an interest in being redeployed, it is understood. Due to the scaling back of some home-support services caused by the crisis, and the fact that many thousands of older people with lower priority needs cocooning, spare capacity has emerged in the home-help sector.
In a memo to NHI staff issued on Tuesday, member organisations were told that a framework agreement governing secondment of private sector home-help groups to nursing homes had been reached. A HSE spokeswoman confirmed the deal had been signed, with the HSE funding it initially “with costs to be recouped from the residential units/nursing homes in due course”.
Joseph Musgrave, chief executive of Home and Community Care Ireland, the trade body for private home-help operators, said "the first priority of our members is to support vulnerable people in the community. We will continue to support our partners in the nursing home sector, and we hope to get an indication of how many staff are needed to allow everyone to plan effectively."
Elsewhere, a Siptu spokesman said that grant-funded home-help groups where its members are working have not seen significant redeployment to nursing homes.


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Learners flock to colleges to help combat Covid-19 threat

Before the lockdown , Hank Traynor was involved in providing safety training on building sites .
In recent weeks , he ’ s become one of hundreds of people to complete upskilling courses at his local further education college on how to reduce the threat posed by coronavirus .
“ Our business is closed at the moment , there ’ s no safety training going on , so I thought this would give me a skill to do my bit in a nursing home , hospital or healthcare centre .
“ They are all under immense pressure .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going into work every day of the week and not coming home in some cases .
I thought that if I can play my part , it might help a little.
” The course in infection control , developed by Louth and Offaly Education and Training Board ( ETB ) , is an example of how further education colleges and universities across the State are providing a range of free courses to individuals from diverse backgrounds to help tackle the Covid-19 threat .
They range from online courses in infection control for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for nurses on how to provide critical care to Covid-19 patients .
At Louth and Offaly ETB , for example , just over 120 people have participated in its infection prevention and control online course so far .
It links learners to Servisource , which is an official partner to the HSE in supporting the Ireland On-Call campaign .
It is also in contact with local nursing homes that are seeking staff and is providing these contact details to the participants on the course as an additional employment option .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through previous learning and experience , are in a position to quickly upskill and become part of the HSE ’ s team if they are required , ” says Tony Dalton , Laois and Offaly ’ s director of further education and training .
“ And they may not be .
But if called upon , we are trying to ensure they ’ ll be ready.
” UCD and UCC , meanwhile , are among the universities providing modules on critical care nursing for professionals working in healthcare settings .
Prof Josephine Hegarty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nursing and midwifery , said the easy and rapid access to this education would increase the number of nurses available to provide critical care to patients .
“ To effectively treat the number of anticipated patients with Covid-19 who require intensive care , it will be important to build critical care capacity within the Irish healthcare system .
To a large extent , this capacity will include the provision of expert nursing , medical and allied healthcare as well as the provision of mechanical ventilation , ” she said .
This module @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to develop high-level skills in caring for patients who are critically ill , and help them to work with other healthcare professionals in intensive care settings .
“ In addition , the module will facilitate nurses to provide high levels of support to patients and families during their period of critical care.
” Most upskilling courses are run completely online and learners need only the capacity to record and submit skills demonstrations .
Students are typically supported online and by phone by experienced tutors throughout the process .
For Traynor , who recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience was an eye-opener .
“ I ’ d never realised the work and risk assessment involved in simple things like changing beds , cleaning toilets or commodes : Covid-19 is so dangerous and so easy to spread , ” he said .
“ Even the process of putting on and off PPE [ personal protective equipment ] .
.
.
It ’ s not as simple as ripping it off : it ’ s a systematic process .
There ’ s a safe way to do it , but it is very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your guard down .
“ It ’ s been a great learning experience .
I feel I can offer a little help and will be ready do my bit .
We ’ re all in this together .
”

Before the lockdown, Hank Traynor was involved in providing safety training on building sites.
In recent weeks, he’s become one of hundreds of people to complete upskilling courses at his local further education college on how to reduce the threat posed by coronavirus.
“Our business is closed at the moment, there’s no safety training going on, so I thought this would give me a skill to do my bit in a nursing home, hospital or healthcare centre.
“They are all under immense pressure. There are healthcare professionals dying in the trenches, going into work every day of the week and not coming home in some cases. I thought that if I can play my part, it might help a little.”
READ MORE
The course in infection control, developed by Laois Offaly Education and Training Board (ETB), is an example of how further education colleges and universities across the State are providing a range of free courses to individuals from diverse backgrounds to help tackle the Covid-19 threat.
They range from online courses in infection control for those with no healthcare experience to accelerated programmes for nurses on how to provide critical care to Covid-19 patients.
At Laois Offaly ETB, for example, just over 120 people have participated in its infection prevention and control online course so far.
It links learners to Servisource, which is an official partner to the HSE in supporting the Ireland On-Call campaign.
It is also in contact with local nursing homes that are seeking staff and is providing these contact details to the participants on the course as an additional employment option.
"We are offering this opportunity to people who, through previous learning and experience, are in a position to quickly upskill and become part of the HSE's team if they are required," says Tony Dalton, Laois and Offaly's director of further education and training. "And they may not be. But if called upon, we are trying to ensure they'll be ready."
Critical care modules
UCD and UCC, meanwhile, are among the universities providing modules on critical care nursing for professionals working in healthcare settings.
Prof Josephine Hegarty, head of UCC's school of nursing and midwifery, said the easy and rapid access to this education would increase the number of nurses available to provide critical care to patients.
“To effectively treat the number of anticipated patients with Covid-19 who require intensive care, it will be important to build critical care capacity within the Irish healthcare system. To a large extent, this capacity will include the provision of expert nursing, medical and allied healthcare as well as the provision of mechanical ventilation,” she said.
This module, she said, was facilitating nurses to develop high-level skills in caring for patients who are critically ill, and help them to work with other healthcare professionals in intensive care settings.
“In addition, the module will facilitate nurses to provide high levels of support to patients and families during their period of critical care.”
Most upskilling courses are run completely online and learners need only the capacity to record and submit skills demonstrations.
Students are typically supported online and by phone by experienced tutors throughout the process.
‘Eye-opening’ experience
For Traynor, who recently completed his infection control course, the experience was an eye-opener.
“I’d never realised the work and risk assessment involved in simple things like changing beds, cleaning toilets or commodes: Covid-19 is so dangerous and so easy to spread,” he said.
“Even the process of putting on and off PPE [personal protective equipment] . . . It’s not as simple as ripping it off: it’s a systematic process. There’s a safe way to do it, but it is very easy to contaminate equipment if you let your guard down.
“It’s been a great learning experience. I feel I can offer a little help and will be ready do my bit. We’re all in this together.”
* This article was amended to correct an error


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Coronavirus: ‘It is like fighting an invisible beast’ says nursing home care director

For Geraldine Donohue , the darkest moment was when her second resident died .
“ She was a beautiful person , so gorgeous a lady , and I just thought , how am I ever going to beat this ?
” As director of care at Oak View Nursing Home in Belturbet , Co Cavan , Donohue is responsible for 58 residents .
Two have died of Covid-19 , and nine more have tested positive for the virus .
“ It ’ s like fighting an invisible beast , ” says Donohue .
“ It is tough , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ’ re living on your nerves , on adrenalin all the time , and thinking we have to just keep at this , and get us out of the outbreak situation.
” Yet of those nine residents , all are getting better .
“ It ’ s a real feel-good factor for the staff who are caring for them because they can see them improving all the time , thank God.
” According to figures released on Tuesday , half of all probable and confirmed coronavirus deaths in the State were among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,277 confirmed cases and outbreaks in 218 homes – equating to 40 per cent of all such homes .
“ We have been getting such a bad press [ in nursing homes ] , which is extremely hard on staff morale , but I can ’ t speak highly enough about my staff , I ’ m in total awe of their professionalism and their dedication , ” says Donohue .
Nursing homes “ weren ’ t the priority .
We should have been right up there with the acute sector .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ as ] second-class citizens , because they ’ re ‘ only nursing homes ’ , but we are frontline workers as well , ” says Donohue .
In Co Cavan there are 627 cases ; in the past three weeks , the incidence of Covid-19 has risen by up to 820 per cent in Border counties in the northeast , and Cavan surpassed Dublin as the county with the most cases relative to population .
However the chief medical officer , Dr Tony Holohan , said this is unlikely to be due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North , and the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) chief clinical officer , Dr Colm Henry , said there were a number of factors , including an outbreak at the hospital and cases in residential facilities and congregated settings .
Their proximity to the Border is not a factor for Donohue .
Oak View has been closed to visitors and new admissions since March 6th ; she and her staff “ go from work to home , and the only other thing we do is a weekly shop ” .
Their first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident who had returned from hospital the previous day ; now , “ we ’ re on high alert all the time , ” she explains .
They are taking temperatures and checking residents ’ vital signs twice a day .
“ This is our normal life.
” Everyone – residents and staff – was tested on April 18th .
“ What was worrying was that we got three residents [ out of the nine ] who tested positive but who had no symptoms , and two members of staff who tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is good news .
“ We have had no new symptoms since the 20th , so please God we ’ re getting there.
” Donohue ’ s concerns now are about what happens next .
“ I have to think this can ’ t be endless .
We have to see a light at the end of the tunnel , so where do I go as director of care to maintain the safety of the residents but also to allow them visits ?
” There must be direction , Donohue says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the doors being opened again ” .
“ How am I going to manage this going into the future ?
I don ’ t think anyone has the answer yet , but I do think that is a discussion that ’ s going to have to take place sooner rather than later .
”

Geraldine Donohoe of Oak View Nursing Home, Belturbet, Co Cavan. ‘We have had no new symptoms since the 20th, so please God we’re getting there,’ she says. Photograph: Lorraine Teevan
For Geraldine Donohue, the darkest moment was when her second resident died.
“She was a beautiful person, so gorgeous a lady, and I just thought, how am I ever going to beat this?”
As director of care at Oak View Nursing Home in Belturbet, Co Cavan, Donohue is responsible for 58 residents. Two have died of Covid-19, and nine more have tested positive for the virus.
“It’s like fighting an invisible beast,” says Donohue. “It is tough, I’m not going to deny it. You’re living on your nerves, on adrenalin all the time, and thinking we have to just keep at this, and get us out of the outbreak situation.”
READ MORE
Yet of those nine residents, all are getting better. “It’s a real feel-good factor for the staff who are caring for them because they can see them improving all the time, thank God.”
According to figures released on Tuesday, half of all probable and confirmed coronavirus deaths in the State were among residents of nursing homes. There were 3,277 confirmed cases and outbreaks in 218 homes – equating to 40 per cent of all such homes.
Staff morale
“We have been getting such a bad press [in nursing homes], which is extremely hard on staff morale, but I can’t speak highly enough about my staff, I’m in total awe of their professionalism and their dedication,” says Donohue.
Nursing homes “weren’t the priority. We should have been right up there with the acute sector.
“I do think we are thought of [as] second-class citizens, because they’re ‘only nursing homes’, but we are frontline workers as well,” says Donohue.
In Co Cavan there are 627 cases; in the past three weeks, the incidence of Covid-19 has risen by up to 820 per cent in Border counties in the northeast, and Cavan surpassed Dublin as the county with the most cases relative to population.
However the chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, said this is unlikely to be due to a "spillover" from the North, and the Health Service Executive (HSE) chief clinical officer, Dr Colm Henry, said there were a number of factors, including an outbreak at the hospital and cases in residential facilities and congregated settings.
Their proximity to the Border is not a factor for Donohue. Oak View has been closed to visitors and new admissions since March 6th; she and her staff “go from work to home, and the only other thing we do is a weekly shop”.
Their first fatality was on April 4th, a resident who had returned from hospital the previous day; now, “we’re on high alert all the time,” she explains. They are taking temperatures and checking residents’ vital signs twice a day. “This is our normal life.”
Everyone – residents and staff – was tested on April 18th. “What was worrying was that we got three residents [out of the nine] who tested positive but who had no symptoms, and two members of staff who tested positive but who had no symptoms either.”
Good news
There is good news. “We have had no new symptoms since the 20th, so please God we’re getting there.”
Donohue’s concerns now are about what happens next. “I have to think this can’t be endless. We have to see a light at the end of the tunnel, so where do I go as director of care to maintain the safety of the residents but also to allow them visits?”
There must be direction, Donohue says, but admits to being “fearful of the doors being opened again”.
“How am I going to manage this going into the future? I don’t think anyone has the answer yet, but I do think that is a discussion that’s going to have to take place sooner rather than later.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-30--Gaeltacht areas ‘left in limbo’ following Irish college cancellations

Gaeltacht areas have been “ left in limbo ” following news that Irish colleges will not open this summer , with fears of the long-term effect this will have on Irish language communities .
People living on the Lettermore-Lettermullen Peninsula in Co Galway say their local economy is entirely dependent on the seasonal Irish college activity , and urged the Government to clarify what kind of financial package would be made available to affected households .
Eilís Ní Lochnáin , a bean an tí with Coláiste na nOiléan on Lettermore island , said investment from the two Irish colleges in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community .
“ We live on an archipelago , there ’ s only one way in and out and we don ’ t get many tourists .
The students arrive in their hundreds so the shopkeepers are selling them stuff , the bus drivers are employed to drive them around , and the local teens get jobs as cuinteoirí [ team leaders ] .
Those young people depend on that income to get through college the following year.
” Plumbers , electricians , construction workers , carpenters and gardeners also rely on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on local homes where students stay each summer , Ms Ní Lochnáin said .
“ People have no idea how important this is for us .
It ’ s not just about the mná tí , it ’ s the whole community.
” About 27,000 students attend Irish colleges nationwide each summer with coláistí gaeilge worth an estimated €50 million to the local Gaeltacht economy .
Some 220 students arrive on Lettermore every month throughout the summer to take part in the Coláiste na nOiléan courses , while a few hundred more attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the archipelago .
Ms Ní Lochnáin agrees with the Government ’ s decision to cancel the 2020 courses in the interest of health and safety and to avoid the further spread of Covid-19 , but worries sufficient support will not be offered to Gaeltacht communities to make up the deficit .
Irish colleges are “ a lifeline ” in the disadvantaged Gaeltacht areas , according to Ms Ní Lochnáin .
“ Back in the 1980s this place was buzzing with factories but now we have nothing , there is no other economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs the local Lettermore supermarket , says mná an tí across the peninsula invest significant money each year in ensuring their homes are ready for the arrival of the young people .
“ These housewives have very high standards , their homes are upgraded every year .
“ We usually see the population increase by 300 per cent each year from the middle of May to the middle of August .
It ’ s when September and October arrives that we ’ ll really feel the pain .
“ The main thing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleges survive and don ’ t close down for good .
This could fracture how the whole system works.
” Séamus Ó Ráinne , treasurer of Comhairle Ceantar na nOileán ( the island district community group ) , says the cancellation of this year ’ s courses will leave a large hole in the finances of people across the islands .
“ This will have a ripple effect through the community – the shopkeepers , the restaurants , the pubs , the B & Bs where parents stay when they visit their children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Everyone has been left in limbo.
” He added that mná an tí were not eligible for the Covid-19 welfare payment as they were not in formal employment before the pandemic .
Leaving Cert students , who would usually rely on work in local shops and the colleges to pay for their first year of university , will also be affected , he said .
“ This is our main income for the year .
Mná tí are stressed and worried , they depend on this money .
Our tourism here is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the road .
Our wifi is bad , our infrastructure is bad , this is our bit of hope that brings financial support to people .
The Government needs to do something in the next week to support our community .
”

Comhairle Ceantar na nOileán offices on Lettermore island where courses for Irish college students are usually held each summer.
Gaeltacht areas have been “left in limbo” following news that Irish colleges will not open this summer, with fears of the long-term effect this will have on Irish language communities.
People living on the Lettermore-Lettermullen Peninsula in Co Galway say their local economy is entirely dependent on the seasonal Irish college activity, and urged the Government to clarify what kind of financial package would be made available to affected households.
Eilís Ní Lochnáin, a bean an tí with Coláiste na nOiléan on Lettermore island, said investment from the two Irish colleges in the area fed into all parts of the community.
“We live on an archipelago, there’s only one way in and out and we don’t get many tourists. The students arrive in their hundreds so the shopkeepers are selling them stuff, the bus drivers are employed to drive them around, and the local teens get jobs as cuinteoirí [team leaders]. Those young people depend on that income to get through college the following year.”
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Plumbers, electricians, construction workers, carpenters and gardeners also rely on earnings through carrying out repairs and upgrades on local homes where students stay each summer, Ms Ní Lochnáin said.
“People have no idea how important this is for us. It’s not just about the mná tí, it’s the whole community.”
About 27,000 students attend Irish colleges nationwide each summer with coláistí gaeilge worth an estimated €50 million to the local Gaeltacht economy.
Some 220 students arrive on Lettermore every month throughout the summer to take part in the Coláiste na nOiléan courses, while a few hundred more attend the larger Coláiste Spleodar which also operates across the archipelago.
Ms Ní Lochnáin agrees with the Government’s decision to cancel the 2020 courses in the interest of health and safety and to avoid the further spread of Covid-19, but worries sufficient support will not be offered to Gaeltacht communities to make up the deficit.
Irish colleges are “a lifeline” in the disadvantaged Gaeltacht areas, according to Ms Ní Lochnáin. “Back in the 1980s this place was buzzing with factories but now we have nothing, there is no other economic development.”
View from Lettermore island: Some 220 students usually arrive on Lettermore every month throughout the summer to take part in the Coláiste na nOiléan courses.
We usually see the population increase by 300 per cent each year from the middle of May to the middle of August
Ruaidhrí Ó Conchubhair, who runs the local Lettermore supermarket, says mná an tí across the peninsula invest significant money each year in ensuring their homes are ready for the arrival of the young people. “These housewives have very high standards, their homes are upgraded every year.
“We usually see the population increase by 300 per cent each year from the middle of May to the middle of August. It’s when September and October arrives that we’ll really feel the pain.
“The main thing is the Minister has to make sure these colleges survive and don’t close down for good. This could fracture how the whole system works.”
Séamus Ó Ráinne, treasurer of Comhairle Ceantar na nOileán (the island district community group), says the cancellation of this year’s courses will leave a large hole in the finances of people across the islands.
“This will have a ripple effect through the community – the shopkeepers, the restaurants, the pubs, the B&Bs where parents stay when they visit their children,” said Mr Ó Ráinne. “Everyone has been left in limbo.”
He added that mná an tí were not eligible for the Covid-19 welfare payment as they were not in formal employment before the pandemic.
Leaving Cert students, who would usually rely on work in local shops and the colleges to pay for their first year of university, will also be affected, he said.
“This is our main income for the year. Mná tí are stressed and worried, they depend on this money. Our tourism here is very weak, we’re at the end of the road. Our wifi is bad, our infrastructure is bad, this is our bit of hope that brings financial support to people. The Government needs to do something in the next week to support our community.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-29--Gardaí investigating death of young man in Galway city

Gardaí are investigating the death of a young man in Galway who was found unresponsive at his residence in the @ @ @ @ @ aged in his early twenties , was found at his residence on Sea Road on @ @ @ @ @ later pronounced dead and his body was taken to the mortuary at University Hospital Galway @ @ @ @ @ carried out .
In a statement gardaí said his death is not thought to be @ @ @ @ @ awaiting post-mortem and toxicology results to determine the course of their enquiries .

Gardaí are investigating the death of a young man in Galway who was found unresponsive at his residence in the city.
The deceased, aged in his early twenties, was found at his residence on Sea Road on Wednesday morning.
He was later pronounced dead and his body was taken to the mortuary at University Hospital Galway where a post-mortem will be carried out.
In a statement gardaí said his death is not thought to be Covid-19 related and they are awaiting post-mortem and toxicology results to determine the course of their enquiries.


theirishtimes--2020-04-29--Man sentenced for random sex assault on girl (14) in busy shop

A man who grabbed a 14-year-old girl by her private parts as she walked by him in a busy Cork city store has walked free from court after serving two months in jail for the offence .
Michel Toner from MacSwiney Quay , Bandon , Co Cork had denied the sexual assault of the girl at Penneys in Cork city centre on July 3rd 2018 when he went on trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court in February but a jury found him guilty .
Toner ( 51 ) was remanded in custody by Judge O ’ Callaghan until Wednesday when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter after being given an outline of the facts by Det Garda Brian Murphy .
Det Garda Murphy said the victim was in town with her mother on July 3rd 2018 when Toner walked into her path and without any warning , grabbed her private parts only to be confronted by the girl ’ s mother before walking away .
The girl told in a victim impact statement delivered earlier how she used to love to go shopping with her mother but the incident had left her apprehensive about going into Cork .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ - in the beginning I was thinking about it all the time ... .
I hope he will be seen for who he is and for what he done , ” she said before thanking investigator , Garda Don McCarthy and Support after Crime .
Defence barrister , Niamh Stewart said her client had no previous convictions for sexual offences while she also said the sexual assault was at the lower end of the scale for such offences , involving touching through the girl ’ s clothing .
Ms Stewart pointed out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ( the DPP ) had consented to the matter being dealt with in the District Court but Toner had opted for trial by judge and jury in the Circuit Court .
“ He has never been before this court before .
He has severe depression .
He has found ( being remanded in custody ) very difficult .
He is on medication .
He will be on the sex offenders register .
His life is basically turned upside down.
” Pleading for leniency , Ms Stewart said her client , who lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting for him on his release from prison and had family support .
Judge O Donabhain noted that a probation report found that Toner was at a low risk of re-offending while it also suggested he has some awareness of the wrong that he had done to his victim and the impact on her .
“ This is a somewhat unusual case of sexual assault , happening in a public place , in a store , in daylight business hours and where there was no previous contact between the parties , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this girl and there was nothing to bring them together other than passing each other in the shop .
He dropped his hand on the girl and touched her intimately .
“ He admitted contact with her but he denied there was any sexual intent .
The jury found otherwise .
The girl is correct in her account of what happened to her .
She was shocked as to why it happened , it was so unexpected.
” Judge O Donabhain imposed an 18-month jail sentence on Toner , backdated to when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found him guilty on February 11th but he suspended the balance of the sentence .

The court heard the defendant admitted contact with the girl but he denied there was any sexual intent.
A man who grabbed a 14-year-old girl by her private parts as she walked by him in a busy Cork city store has walked free from court after serving two months in jail for the offence.
Michel Toner from MacSwiney Quay, Bandon, Co Cork had denied the sexual assault of the girl at Penneys in Cork city centre on July 3rd 2018 when he went on trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court in February but a jury found him guilty.
Toner (51) was remanded in custody by Judge O'Callaghan until Wednesday when Judge Sean O Donabhain dealt with the matter after being given an outline of the facts by Det Garda Brian Murphy.
Det Garda Murphy said the victim was in town with her mother on July 3rd 2018 when Toner walked into her path and without any warning, grabbed her private parts only to be confronted by the girl’s mother before walking away.
READ MORE
The girl told in a victim impact statement delivered earlier how she used to love to go shopping with her mother but the incident had left her apprehensive about going into Cork.
“I was very upset and crying - in the beginning I was thinking about it all the time .... I hope he will be seen for who he is and for what he done,” she said before thanking investigator, Garda Don McCarthy and Support after Crime.
Defence barrister, Niamh Stewart said her client had no previous convictions for sexual offences while she also said the sexual assault was at the lower end of the scale for such offences, involving touching through the girl’s clothing.
Ms Stewart pointed out the DPP had taken a similar view as she (the DPP) had consented to the matter being dealt with in the District Court but Toner had opted for trial by judge and jury in the Circuit Court.
“He has never been before this court before. He has severe depression. He has found (being remanded in custody) very difficult. He is on medication. He will be on the sex offenders register. His life is basically turned upside down.”
Pleading for leniency, Ms Stewart said her client, who lived alone in Bandon, had a job waiting for him on his release from prison and had family support.
Judge O Donabhain noted that a probation report found that Toner was at a low risk of re-offending while it also suggested he has some awareness of the wrong that he had done to his victim and the impact on her.
“This is a somewhat unusual case of sexual assault, happening in a public place, in a store, in daylight business hours and where there was no previous contact between the parties,” he said.
“He had no knowledge of this girl and there was nothing to bring them together other than passing each other in the shop. He dropped his hand on the girl and touched her intimately.
“He admitted contact with her but he denied there was any sexual intent. The jury found otherwise. The girl is correct in her account of what happened to her. She was shocked as to why it happened, it was so unexpected.”
Judge O Donabhain imposed an 18-month jail sentence on Toner, backdated to when he went into custody after the jury found him guilty on February 11th but he suspended the balance of the sentence.


theirishtimes--2020-04-29--Man admits 20 ‘drive offs’ from filling stations without paying for fuel

A man has admitted to 20 “ fuel drive-offs ” - fleeing a garage forecourt without paying - according to @ @ @ @ @ valued at €846 was allegedly taken during these incidents from filling stations across Dublin and @ @ @ @ @ .
In a statement on Wednesday night , gardaí said they charged a man aged @ @ @ @ @ offences .
He was arrested at his home and taken to Ballymun Garda Station in @ @ @ @ @ had made “ full admissions ” to the alleged crimes and will appear before the @ @ @ @ @ Dublin on Thursday .

Gardaí said the man had made “full admissions” to the alleged crimes. File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
A man has admitted to 20 "fuel drive-offs" - fleeing a garage forecourt without paying - according to gardaí.
In total fuel valued at €846 was allegedly taken during these incidents from filling stations across Dublin and Kildare between February and April.
In a statement on Wednesday night, gardaí said they charged a man aged in his twenties with the offences. He was arrested at his home and taken to Ballymun Garda Station in Dublin.
They said he had made "full admissions" to the alleged crimes and will appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin on Thursday.


theirishtimes--2020-04-29--Fair treatment pledge for all who lost out over ‘cash for ash’ scheme

The North ’ s Minister for Economy has pledged that anyone who suffered economic hardship after participating in the Renewable Heat Incentive ( RHI ) scheme in good faith will be treated fairly .
Diane Dodds said her approach to the scheme would be “ guided by fairness both to those participants who have acted in good faith , and to taxpayers who fund the scheme ” .
Ms Dodds was responding to the publication of a report by Andrew Buglass into hardship relating to participation in the scheme , which she said would be taken into consideration as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The report concluded that “ many of the respondents have suffered one or more forms of economic hardship as a result of the reduced cashflow following the tariff reductions ” to the RHI scheme .
“ Any resolution of these issues will be complex and likely controversial , but we feel that perhaps the most important principle to be adopted in any resolution process is that of fair and equal treatment for all those who have participated legitimately in the scheme , ” Mr Buglass wrote .
The RHI scheme was set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland to switch from fossil fuels to renewable heat sources , but a failure to include a cap on subsidies meant that participants earned £1.60 for every £1 they spent .
The scandal over what became known as the “ cash for ash ” scheme brought down the North ’ s devolved government and raised serious questions over how Northern Ireland was governed .
The long-awaited report of the inquiry into the scheme by Sir Patrick Coghlin , which was published last month , said it should never have been adopted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministers , officials or special advisers .
The original subsidy level had been guaranteed for 20 years , but was reduced by cost-control measures in 2017 and 2019 .
Many of those who participated in the scheme in good faith have said this has left them in financial hardship , and argue the changes were unlawful .
A judicial review is scheduled for later this year .
The independent report by Andrew Buglass was commissioned by the North ’ s Department for the Economy after a call for evidence last year sought views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of the 93 responses received , 61 per cent were from the farming community .
Mr Buglass found that most respondents had only replaced their existing fossil fuel installation because of the incentives offered by the scheme , and many cited official promotion and its environmental benefits , as well as the economic case , were prime factors in their decision to invest .
A factor common to all cases , he wrote , was that under the reduced 2019 tariff , the tariff receipts from RHI were lower than the additional cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional heat sources .
Ms Dodds said she welcomed the conclusion that “ the most important principle to be adopted is that of fair and equal treatment for all those who have participated legitimately ” , but said the report also presented challenges .
It was clear , she said , that the initial tariffs were “ unsustainable ” and the “ subsequent legislative changes in 2017 , 2018 and 2019 were therefore necessary to bring costs within budget ” .
The tariffs introduced in 2019 were “ essential and were underpinned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledged the report had shown “ the reduction in cash flow resulting from the reduced tariffs has been challenging for some ” .
She said the Department “ has committed to keeping the variables that underpin the tariffs under review and it is currently consulting on revising the tariffs based on this updated evidence base ” .
Representative body the Renewable Heat Association for Northern Ireland ( RHANI ) said it welcomed the report ’ s publication .
“ Cash-flow shock was an inevitable impact upon the businesses that had accepted the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We also welcome Mrs Dodds ’ candour in confirming that this independent analysis causes the Department some difficulty .
”

The RHI scheme was set up in 2012 to encourage businesses in Northern Ireland to switch from fossil fuels to renewable heat sources, but a failure to include a cap on subsidies meant that participants earned £1.60 for every £1 they spent. File photograph: PA Images
The North’s Minister for Economy has pledged that anyone who suffered economic hardship after participating in the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme in good faith will be treated fairly.
Diane Dodds said her approach to the scheme would be "guided by fairness both to those participants who have acted in good faith, and to taxpayers who fund the scheme".
Ms Dodds was responding to the publication of a report by Andrew Buglass into hardship relating to participation in the scheme, which she said would be taken into consideration as part of the process to decide its future.
The report concluded that “many of the respondents have suffered one or more forms of economic hardship as a result of the reduced cashflow following the tariff reductions” to the RHI scheme.
READ MORE
“Any resolution of these issues will be complex and likely controversial, but we feel that perhaps the most important principle to be adopted in any resolution process is that of fair and equal treatment for all those who have participated legitimately in the scheme,” Mr Buglass wrote.
The RHI scheme was set up in 2012 to encourage businesses in Northern Ireland to switch from fossil fuels to renewable heat sources, but a failure to include a cap on subsidies meant that participants earned £1.60 for every £1 they spent.
‘Cash for ash’
The scandal over what became known as the “cash for ash” scheme brought down the North’s devolved government and raised serious questions over how Northern Ireland was governed.
The long-awaited report of the inquiry into the scheme by Sir Patrick Coghlin, which was published last month, said it should never have been adopted, but found no evidence of corruption among ministers, officials or special advisers.
The original subsidy level had been guaranteed for 20 years, but was reduced by cost-control measures in 2017 and 2019. Many of those who participated in the scheme in good faith have said this has left them in financial hardship, and argue the changes were unlawful. A judicial review is scheduled for later this year.
The independent report by Andrew Buglass was commissioned by the North’s Department for the Economy after a call for evidence last year sought views on economic hardship from RHI participants. Of the 93 responses received, 61 per cent were from the farming community.
Mr Buglass found that most respondents had only replaced their existing fossil fuel installation because of the incentives offered by the scheme, and many cited official promotion and its environmental benefits, as well as the economic case, were prime factors in their decision to invest.
A factor common to all cases, he wrote, was that under the reduced 2019 tariff, the tariff receipts from RHI were lower than the additional cost of using biomass boilers as compared to traditional heat sources.
Ms Dodds said she welcomed the conclusion that “the most important principle to be adopted is that of fair and equal treatment for all those who have participated legitimately”, but said the report also presented challenges.
Tariffs ‘unsustainable’
It was clear, she said, that the initial tariffs were “unsustainable” and the “subsequent legislative changes in 2017, 2018 and 2019 were therefore necessary to bring costs within budget”.
The tariffs introduced in 2019 were “essential and were underpinned by a robust evidence base” but she acknowledged the report had shown “the reduction in cash flow resulting from the reduced tariffs has been challenging for some”.
She said the Department “has committed to keeping the variables that underpin the tariffs under review and it is currently consulting on revising the tariffs based on this updated evidence base”.
Representative body the Renewable Heat Association for Northern Ireland (RHANI) said it welcomed the report’s publication.
“Cash-flow shock was an inevitable impact upon the businesses that had accepted the government guarantees,” RHANI said.
“We also welcome Mrs Dodds’ candour in confirming that this independent analysis causes the Department some difficulty.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-29--Rules on gay blood donations relaxed in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland ’ s Minister of Health Robin Swann has announced a relaxation in rules governing blood donation for gay men .
From June 1st , gay men will be able to make blood donations three months after their last sexual activity , he announced on Wednesday .
Hitherto , the policy was that gay men could not donate blood until 12 months after their last sexual activity .
“ Having considered the expert advice and evidence provided by the Committee for the Safety of Blood , Tissues and Organs , the deferral period for these people will now be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Swann .
The Minister said the rule change would maintain the safety of the blood supply while allowing more people to donate .
“ Any one of us may require a blood transfusion in the future and we need to be confident that the blood we receive is safe .
As Minister for Health it is of utmost importance to me that we maintain the safety of blood and I ’ m confident that the new policy that I am announcing today will do that , ” he said .
“ My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding the safety of donated blood , ” added Mr Swann .
The Minister stressed the importance of donors complying with the deferral rules .
He said : “ The safety of donated blood depends on two things – donor selection and the testing of blood .
Every blood donation is tested for HIV and a number of other organisms .
Not even the most advanced tests are 100 per cent reliable , so it is vitally important for every donor to comply with any deferral rules that apply to them.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcoming the changes , said the “ safety of our donors and staff , as always , is our utmost priority ” .
The service advised that donors should keep in mind the public health advice around coronavirus , including not attending appointments if they or a member of their household are feeling unwell .

Blood donation: The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service advised that donors should keep in mind public health advice around coronavirus, including not attending appointments if they or a member of their household are feeling unwell. Photograph: Carlos Lemos/EPA
Northern Ireland's Minister of Health Robin Swann has announced a relaxation in rules governing blood donation for gay men.
From June 1st, gay men will be able to make blood donations three months after their last sexual activity, he announced on Wednesday.
Hitherto, the policy was that gay men could not donate blood until 12 months after their last sexual activity.
“Having considered the expert advice and evidence provided by the Committee for the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs, the deferral period for these people will now be reduced to three months,” said Mr Swann.
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The Minister said the rule change would maintain the safety of the blood supply while allowing more people to donate.
Safety of utmost importance
“Any one of us may require a blood transfusion in the future and we need to be confident that the blood we receive is safe. As Minister for Health it is of utmost importance to me that we maintain the safety of blood and I’m confident that the new policy that I am announcing today will do that,” he said.
“My decision is based solely on the evidence regarding the safety of donated blood,” added Mr Swann.
The Minister stressed the importance of donors complying with the deferral rules. He said: “The safety of donated blood depends on two things – donor selection and the testing of blood. Every blood donation is tested for HIV and a number of other organisms. Not even the most advanced tests are 100 per cent reliable, so it is vitally important for every donor to comply with any deferral rules that apply to them.”
The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, in welcoming the changes, said the "safety of our donors and staff, as always, is our utmost priority".
The service advised that donors should keep in mind the public health advice around coronavirus, including not attending appointments if they or a member of their household are feeling unwell.