theirishtimes--2020-03-13--Home-schooling during coronavirus closures: advice from experts

With schools across the State shut for weeks , many parents are finding themselves plunged into trying to home-school their children .
Ideally , teachers will provide lessons , whether online or on paper , to help meet children ’ s academic needs .
However , supporting your children to learn at home — while also juggling work and other commitments — can be daunting and challenging .
We ’ ve spoken to experts in home-schooling and teaching to find out some of the dos and don ’ ts of how to best support your child over the coming weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in what they learn ?
Assistant professor in education at Trinity College Dublin Ann Devitt , a mother of three primary school-going children , says it is important to involve your children in the planning , goals and rewards .
“ They ’ ll be much more bought into the process if they are feeling that they have some control over what is being asked of them , ” she says .
“ We talk a lot in the education system about students needing to become self-directed learners .
This is an opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own homes.
” Cora McCauley of Home Schooling Ireland agrees .
The mother of four who has been home-schooling her children with the past six years says giving children some control is crucial .
“ Ask them what do they want to get out of the experience .
Don ’ t try to replicate school at home , ” she says .
“ If they are weak in a subject they might want to work on it , but let it come from the child.
” Do you need a timetable ?
Devitt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to draw up plan to reach goals , with a long-term plan and short-term daily structure .
“ You don ’ t have to stick to this rigidly but it helps everyone to know what ’ s next .
Define and agree the timelines for the day and the week .
Be sure you have timed breaks in there with things they like to do .
Again , agree on this and put it somewhere visible.
” McCauley says some parents may feel compelled to mimic the school day , but advises against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn sitting on the couch in a more relaxed setting .
When it ’ s relaxed , they can learn naturally without realising it.
” She says to structure the day around what works for the family .
“ If your kids like a walk in the morning or playing ball after breakfast , you can do that , rather than saying : ‘ Right , it ’ s Irish at 9am , and maths at 10am.
’ ” Devitt advocates a clear reward system that everyone can buy into and which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house points , ” she says .
“ There should be a long-term reward after a week or two and short-term rewards at definite points of the day.
” These rewards don ’ t have to cost money and they don ’ t have to be edible .
“ They could be screen-time , their choice of movie , a lie-in , staying up late etc .
Whatever it is that your children place value on.
” She says to keep track of this with star charts , class dojo apps , polo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jar , or raffle tickets .
“ Focus on positive rewards and avoid negative punishments or it can become a race to the bottom when no one has anything left to lose , ” she adds .
What should they learn ?
McCauley says home schooling is a great chance for children to learn through an area they have a passion for — something that isn ’ t always possible in school .
“ If they have an interest in baking , they can throw themselves into it .
The same goes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It builds their confidence and self-awareness.
” Devitt also says have your children set their own weekly and daily learning goals .
“ Let them take the lead on this in areas of interest to them , but try to include a range of areas including language and literacy ; Stem ; the arts ; sports and exercise ; and the environment , ” she says .
“ Tie this into the work they have been given from school .
If they take ownership of what they want to learn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own learning , ” she says .
“ Maybe even include yourself in this ; what do you want to achieve in your day ?
Agree the goals and put them somewhere visible in the house.
” She gives the example of something as simple as making lunch .
This , she says , can involve writing the shopping list ( literacy ) , doing the budget ( Stem ) , designing a menu ( art ) , walking to the shop for ingredients ( exercise ) and picking herbs ( environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or games or devices .
Instead , she says build them in to the day for fixed times .
They can be used as part of the reward system .
McCauley agrees that they can play a very useful role in self-directed learning and giving children a chance to draw on high quality learning resources , as long as there are limits .
How do you get children to concentrate ?
Devitt says timers are a good idea .
Rewards are useful too , she says .
Competition can be good but can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think about co-operative rewards where everyone ’ s successes build towards the successes of the group .
“ Keep them motivated .
If you find something is not working , change to the next activity or a different activity quickly .
If you find something works , great — note it and make sure to use it again and for other topics .
Keep moving .
Make sure to wake up their brains and bodies with movement often — dance breaks , star jumps , cartwheels , goal practice.
” At the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ review , revise and reward ” approach .
In other words , review their goals and how they are progressing towards their long-term goal ( “ how far have you come so far ?
” ) ; revise for the next day if needed ( “ so what do you need to do next ?
” ) ; and give the daily reward .
What are the best learning resources out there ?
The good news is there are tonnes of resources out there to meet the needs of children of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the better ones : • Go Noodle : Movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts .
• Khan Academy : Non-profit site with provides free video tutorials in maths and reading .
• IXL.com : Subscription-based learning experience that provides curriculum-aligned maths and English content from junior infants up to sixth year .
• Nasa Kids ’ Club : Child-friendly resource where kids can learn about science and space .
• Dublin Academy : The Dublin-based grind school is posting free-to-access classes on YouTube over the coming days .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing students with free study resources for a month due to the school closures .
• Studyclix : One of the most popular of Ireland ’ s study websites , it offer notes , videos and a forum for students preparing for the Junior and Leaving Cert .
The basic site is free , while the rest is paid-for .
• Protutor : It is running a series of free webinars on Leaving Cert accounting topics aimed at fifth and sixth years next week .
• Studynotes.ie : Students and teachers can use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and resources .
• PDST : The Professional Development Service for Teachers has an updated section on “ supporting online learning during school closures ” with links to resources like Scoilnet and Webwise .

With schools across the State shut for weeks, many parents are finding themselves plunged into trying to home-school their children.
Ideally, teachers will provide lessons, whether online or on paper, to help meet children’s academic needs. However, supporting your children to learn at home — while also juggling work and other commitments — can be daunting.
We’ve spoken to experts in home-schooling and teaching to find out some of the dos and don’ts of how to best support your child over the coming weeks.
Should your children have a say in what they learn?
Assistant professor in education at Trinity College Dublin Ann Devitt, a mother of three primary school-going children, says it is important to involve your children in planning their education, as well as goals and rewards.
READ MORE
“They’ll be much more bought into the process if they are feeling that they have some control over what is being asked of them,” she says.
“We talk a lot in the education system about students needing to become self-directed learners. This is an opportunity to put this into action in our own homes.”
Cora McCauley of Home Schooling Ireland agrees. The mother of four who has been home-schooling her children for the past six years says giving children some control is crucial.
“Ask them what do they want to get out of the experience. Don’t try to replicate school at home,” she says. “If they are weak in a subject they might want to work on it, but let it come from the child.”
Do you need a timetable?
Devitt advises parents to work with their children to draw up plan to reach goals, with a long-term plan and short-term daily structure.
“You don’t have to stick to this rigidly but it helps everyone to know what’s next. Define and agree the timelines for the day and the week. Be sure you have timed breaks in there with things they like to do. Again, agree on this and put it somewhere visible.”
McCauley says some parents may feel compelled to mimic the school day, but advises against this.
“Remember, you can learn sitting on the couch in a more relaxed setting. When it’s relaxed , they can learn naturally without realising it.”
She says to structure the day around what works for the family.
“If your kids like a walk in the morning or playing ball after breakfast, you can do that, rather than saying: ‘Right, it’s Irish at 9am, and maths at 10am.’”
Should you give rewards?
Devitt advocates a clear reward system that everyone can buy into and which is visible to all.
“Think Hogwarts house points,” she says. “There should be a long-term reward after a week or two and short-term rewards at definite points of the day.”
These rewards don’t have to cost money and they don’t have to be edible.
“They could be screen-time, their choice of movie, a lie-in, staying up late etc. Whatever it is that your children place value on.”
She says to keep track of this with star charts, class dojo apps, polo mints on straws, skittles in a jar, or raffle tickets.
“Focus on positive rewards and avoid negative punishments or it can become a race to the bottom when no one has anything left to lose,” she adds.
What should they learn?
McCauley says home schooling is a great chance for children to learn through an area they have a passion for — something that isn’t always possible in school. “If they have an interest in baking, they can throw themselves into it. The same goes for gymnastics or photography,” she says. “It builds their confidence and self-awareness.”
Devitt also says have your children set their own weekly and daily learning goals.
“Let them take the lead on this in areas of interest to them, but try to include a range of areas including language and literacy; Stem; the arts; sports and exercise; and the environment,” she says.
“Tie this into the work they have been given from school. If they take ownership of what they want to learn, they should be more inclined to drive their own learning,” she says. “Maybe even include yourself in this; what do you want to achieve in your day? Agree the goals and put them somewhere visible in the house.”
She gives the example of something as simple as making lunch. This, she says, can involve writing the shopping list (literacy), doing the budget (Stem), designing a menu (art), walking to the shop for ingredients (exercise) and picking herbs (environment).
Should devices be banned?
Devitt advises against banning TV or games or devices.
Instead, she says build them in to the day for fixed times. They can be used as part of the reward system.
McCauley agrees that they can play a very useful role in self-directed learning and giving children a chance to draw on high quality learning resources, as long as there are limits.
How do you get children to concentrate?
Devitt says timers are a good idea. Rewards are useful too, she says. Competition can be good but can cause fights, so she says to think about co-operative rewards where everyone’s successes build towards the successes of the group.
“Keep them motivated. If you find something is not working, change to the next activity or a different activity quickly. If you find something works, great — note it and make sure to use it again and for other topics. Keep moving. Make sure to wake up their brains and bodies with movement often — dance breaks, star jumps, cartwheels, goal practice.”
At the end of the day, she advises a “review, revise and reward” approach. In other words, review their goals and how they are progressing towards their long-term goal (“how far have you come so far?”); revise for the next day if needed (“so what do you need to do next?”); and give the daily reward.
What are the best learning resources out there?
The good news is there are tonnes of resources out there to meet the needs of children of all ages and stages. Here are some of the better ones:
Primary
Twinkl.ie: Created by teachers, ideal for home education, it has lots of appealing games, stories, worksheets etc. It is offering a free month's subscription (enter offer code: IRLTWINKLHELPS)
Go Noodle: Movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts.
Scratch: Learn to programme interactive games, stories and animations.
Khan Academy: Non-profit site with provides free video tutorials in maths and reading.
IXL.com: Subscription-based learning experience that provides curriculum-aligned maths and English content from junior infants up to sixth year.
National Geographic Kids: Learn about science, geography and history.
Nasa Kids' Club: Child-friendly resource where kids can learn about science and space.
Secondary
Dublin Academy: The Dublin-based grind school is posting free-to-access classes on YouTube over the coming days.
iRevise: This Irish revision website is providing students with free study resources for a month due to the school closures.
Studyclix: One of the most popular of Ireland's study websites, it offer notes, videos and a forum for students preparing for the Junior and Leaving Cert. The basic site is free, while the rest is paid-for.
Protutor: It is running a series of free webinars on Leaving Cert accounting topics aimed at fifth and sixth years next week.
Studynotes.ie: Students and teachers can use the free platform to share their notes and resources.
Teachers
PDST: The Professional Development Service for Teachers has an updated section on "supporting online learning during school closures" with links to resources like Scoilnet and Webwise.


theirishtimes--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: Frontline health professionals likely to face dilemmas

With the marked increase in Covid-19 cases announced on Thursday and our first indication from the National Public Health Emergency Team of ICU bed usage by patients with the novel coronavirus , many challenges lie ahead .
Doctors here are likely to face some very difficult decisions involving triage and the rationing of resources .
Rationing is defined as the allocation of healthcare resources in the face of limited availability , which means that beneficial interventions are withheld from some patients .
Triage is the process of deciding who gets treatment priority ; it is used in war zones by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be transported to hospital first .
Less dramatically , triage is used to decide who gets priority in overcrowded emergency departments .
We can learn a lot from the Italians .
They are about two weeks ahead of us in the pandemic process .
They have the highest number of coronavirus cases ( and deaths ) in Europe and as a result have seen unprecedented demand for intensive and critical care facilities .
This week the Italian College of Anaesthesia , Analgesia , Resuscitation and Intensive Care described how some hospitals in Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not treat every patient .
They have had to engage in ‘ wartime triage ’ .
Noting the difficult choices that have faced doctors and nurses , the College said it is a matter of giving priority to those with ‘ the highest hope of life and survival.
” “ In a context of grave shortage of medical resources , the allocation criteria need to guarantee that those patients with the highest chance of therapeutic success will retain access to intensive care ” , their document states .
Starkly , the specialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establish an age-limit for access to intensive care .
“ This is not a value judgment but a way to provide extremely scarce resources to those who have the highest likelihood of survival and could enjoy the largest number of life-years saved.
” “ In addition to age , the presence of comorbidities needs to be carefully evaluated .
It is conceivable that what might be a relatively short treatment course in healthier people could be longer and more resource-consuming in the case of older or more fragile patients.
” Ireland ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of the lowest in Europe .
We have 50 beds per million people ; Italy has 125 beds per million .
If northern Italy has run out of intensive care facilities and we get the same surge in very ill coronavirus patients as it has , then some very difficult challenges lie ahead .
For us to avoid an epidemic peak that overwhelms the health system we must flatten the curve of transmission .
The Government decision on Thursday to introduce measures in order to increase social distancing is an attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Centre for Disease Control has advised , “ measures taken at this stage should ultimately aim at protecting the most vulnerable population groups from severe illness and fatal outcome by reducing transmission and reinforcing healthcare systems.
” The other side of managing what lies ahead is to increase our intensive care capacity .
One major teaching hospital here has doubled its number of ventilators in the last few days .
These “ breathing ” machines are vital in managing coronavirus patients who develop severe pneumonia .
Sources have praised the HSE for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency funding to be spent rapidly .
And having a medical device manufacturing capacity in Ireland has also helped , they say .
But you can not build new units in the short time we have available .
What is being done is the realignment of ICUs here to increase the number of beds in each .
Plans are also in place to convert operating theatres into temporary ICU capacity .
Doctors and nurses who are not specialists in critical care medicine are being formed into teams led by experienced intensivists to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lucky , however , frontline health professionals are likely to face considerable dilemmas and challenges .
For example , how to decide , in an ethically appropriate way , to remove one patient from a ventilator so another person can use it ?
Or which of two patients should be admitted to the last ICU bed ?
It will be important to explain and communicate to the patient and their relatives why they have reached a ceiling of care and won ’ t be offered that bed .
The absolute best way for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such traumatic decisions is to embrace , with vigour and good humour , the social distancing measures that have got underway .

We can learn a lot from the Italians. They are about two weeks ahead of us in the pandemic process.
With the marked increase in Covid-19 cases announced on Thursday and our first indication from the National Public Health Emergency Team of ICU bed usage by patients with the novel coronavirus, many challenges lie ahead.
Doctors here are likely to face some very difficult decisions involving triage and the rationing of resources. Rationing is defined as the allocation of healthcare resources in the face of limited availability, which means that beneficial interventions are withheld from some patients.
Triage is the process of deciding who gets treatment priority; it is used in war zones by medics to decide which wounded soldiers will be transported to hospital first. Less dramatically, triage is used to decide who gets priority in overcrowded emergency departments.
We can learn a lot from the Italians. They are about two weeks ahead of us in the pandemic process. They have the highest number of coronavirus cases (and deaths) in Europe and as a result have seen unprecedented demand for intensive and critical care facilities.
READ MORE
This week the Italian College of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care described how some hospitals in Northern Italy are so overwhelmed that they simply cannot treat every patient. They have had to engage in ‘wartime triage’.
Noting the difficult choices that have faced doctors and nurses, the College said it is a matter of giving priority to those with ‘the highest hope of life and survival.”
“In a context of grave shortage of medical resources, the allocation criteria need to guarantee that those patients with the highest chance of therapeutic success will retain access to intensive care”, their document states.
Starkly, the specialist group says it may be necessary to establish an age-limit for access to intensive care. “This is not a value judgment but a way to provide extremely scarce resources to those who have the highest likelihood of survival and could enjoy the largest number of life-years saved.”
“In addition to age, the presence of comorbidities needs to be carefully evaluated. It is conceivable that what might be a relatively short treatment course in healthier people could be longer and more resource-consuming in the case of older or more fragile patients.”
Ireland’s intensive care unit/high dependency unit bed capacity is one of the lowest in Europe. We have 50 beds per million people; Italy has 125 beds per million. If northern Italy has run out of intensive care facilities and we get the same surge in very ill coronavirus patients as it has, then some very difficult challenges lie ahead.
For us to avoid an epidemic peak that overwhelms the health system we must flatten the curve of transmission. The Government decision on Thursday to introduce measures in order to increase social distancing is an attempt to do just that. As the European Centre for Disease Control has advised, “measures taken at this stage should ultimately aim at protecting the most vulnerable population groups from severe illness and fatal outcome by reducing transmission and reinforcing healthcare systems.”
The other side of managing what lies ahead is to increase our intensive care capacity. One major teaching hospital here has doubled its number of ventilators in the last few days. These “breathing” machines are vital in managing coronavirus patients who develop severe pneumonia.
Sources have praised the HSE for short-circuiting the equipment purchase process to enable emergency funding to be spent rapidly. And having a medical device manufacturing capacity in Ireland has also helped, they say.
But you cannot build new units in the short time we have available. What is being done is the realignment of ICUs here to increase the number of beds in each. Plans are also in place to convert operating theatres into temporary ICU capacity. Doctors and nurses who are not specialists in critical care medicine are being formed into teams led by experienced intensivists to meet the surge.
Unless we are extraordinarily lucky, however, frontline health professionals are likely to face considerable dilemmas and challenges. For example, how to decide, in an ethically appropriate way, to remove one patient from a ventilator so another person can use it? Or which of two patients should be admitted to the last ICU bed? It will be important to explain and communicate to the patient and their relatives why they have reached a ceiling of care and won’t be offered that bed.
The absolute best way for us to spare patients and healthcare workers such traumatic decisions is to embrace, with vigour and good humour, the social distancing measures that have got underway.


theirishtimes--2020-03-13--Teachers’ Easter conferences postponed due to coronavirus

All three teachers ’ union conferences which were due to take place over Easter have been postponed due to coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Teachers Ireland ( Asti ) , the Teachers ’ Union of Ireland ( TUI ) @ @ @ @ @ Organisation ( INTO ) made the announcement on Friday afternoon .
“ We have taken @ @ @ @ @ developing Covid-19 situation under review over recent weeks and in light of the measures announced @ @ @ @ @ the unions said , in a joint statement .
“ At all times , the @ @ @ @ @ members , our students and the general public is of paramount importance .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ all public health advice provided as our country seeks to deal with the challenges posed @ @ @ @ @ ” The unions did not say whether a provisional date for later in the year @ @ @ @ @ , the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation ’ s annual delegates conference , which was @ @ @ @ @ Sligo in May , was deferred until October .

A file image of delegates at the TUI annual conference which has been suspended this year due to coronavirus. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy
All three teachers’ union conferences which were due to take place over Easter have been postponed due to coronavirus.
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (Asti), the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) and Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) made the announcement on Friday afternoon.
“ We have taken this decision having kept the developing Covid-19 situation under review over recent weeks and in light of the measures announced by Government yesterday,” the unions said, in a joint statement.
“At all times, the health and safety of our members, our students and the general public is of paramount importance.
READ MORE
“We urge our members to follow all public health advice provided as our country seeks to deal with the challenges posed by this unprecedented health crisis.”
The unions did not say whether a provisional date for later in the year has been agreed.
Earlier, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s annual delegates conference, which was due to take place in Sligo in May, was deferred until October.


theirishtimes--2020-03-13--Courts Service announces that only urgent cases will go ahead

Only urgent court cases and those not involving witnesses will go ahead as the Courts Service introduced further measures to drastically cut operations during the coronavirus pandemic .
The announcement on Friday followed criticism by barristers and solicitors that they were continuing to work in crowded courts .
Ongoing criminal jury trials will continue but there will be no new jury trials for the remainder of the court term which goes until Easter .
The Bar Council , which represents the country ’ s barristers , had asked the Courts Service to “ revisit the decisions that have been taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not taking more drastic action to cut back on hearings to protect members during the pandemic .
The council and the Law Society , which represents solicitors , had criticised the approach taken by the service with the initial measures it introduced to deal with coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 .
The measures had meant that the Central , Special and Circuit Criminal Courts would continue hearings as normal .
However , in a statement issued on Friday evening the Courts Service stated that it had managed a “ very successful introduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the courts ” , resulting in a huge decrease in the numbers needed to be in court .
Based on updated advice from the HSE , the Chief Justice and presidents of the various courts have introduced further changes that come into effect from Monday to limit community transmission of the disease , extend social distancing , and avoid over-concentration of people in one room or place .
In the Supreme Court , any appeals will be adjourned on consent until April 3rd and where there is no consent they will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrated ” .
Judgments will be delivered by a single judge and parties will not have to attend for delivery , and case management issues will be dealt with remotely .
The same measures will apply at the Court of Criminal Appeal where new dates for hearings will be at the “ earliest possible ” opportunity when the situation improves .
The High Court will sit to deal with urgent matters including habeus corpus , extradition , injunctions and their enforcement , wardship matters and judicial review applications .
Personal injuries cases to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been cancelled .
Bail applications and extradition hearings will be conducted by video link in the Criminal Courts of Justice .
Actions and applications not involving witnesses will begin on the dates set for hearing .
In the Circuit Court only ongoing jury trials and custody sentencing hearings will be dealt with .
District Court Appeals will be dealt with after June 10th and family law lists will be adjourned until after April 20th , as will civil cases and motions .
However , a judge will be available in all courts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protection order cases .
In an email to members on Friday evening , following his appeal the day before for the Courts Service to review its proposals , president of the Bar Council Michael P O ’ Higgins said they were “ reviewing the contents ” .
In an email to its 20,000 solicitor members on Friday evening , president of the Law Society Michele O ’ Boyle and its director general , Ken Murphy , said the Courts Service had taken on board the concerns of solicitors , many of whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely , other than for urgent business , and that much greater clarity was needed as to how ‘ urgent business ’ should be defined ” .
Fianna Fáil justice spokesman and senior counsel Jim O ’ Callaghan said all proceedings should be adjourned because it was a health and safety issue and “ we can ’ t continue with business as normal ” .

Barristers and solicitors had complained that they were continuing to work in crowded courts.
Only urgent court cases and those not involving witnesses will go ahead as the Courts Service introduced further measures to drastically cut operations during the coronavirus pandemic.
The announcement on Friday followed criticism by barristers and solicitors that they were continuing to work in crowded courts.
Ongoing criminal jury trials will continue but there will be no new jury trials for the remainder of the court term which goes until Easter.
The Bar Council, which represents the country's barristers, had asked the Courts Service to "revisit the decisions that have been taken" over concerns that the courts are not taking more drastic action to cut back on hearings to protect members during the pandemic.
READ MORE
The council and the Law Society, which represents solicitors, had criticised the approach taken by the service with the initial measures it introduced to deal with coronavirus, also known as Covid-19.
The measures had meant that the Central, Special and Circuit Criminal Courts would continue hearings as normal.
However, in a statement issued on Friday evening the Courts Service stated that it had managed a “very successful introduction of measures to scale back the work of the courts”, resulting in a huge decrease in the numbers needed to be in court.
New restrictions
Based on updated advice from the HSE, the Chief Justice and presidents of the various courts have introduced further changes that come into effect from Monday to limit community transmission of the disease, extend social distancing, and avoid over-concentration of people in one room or place.
In the Supreme Court, any appeals will be adjourned on consent until April 3rd and where there is no consent they will be adjourned “unless particular urgency can be demonstrated”.
Judgments will be delivered by a single judge and parties will not have to attend for delivery, and case management issues will be dealt with remotely.
The same measures will apply at the Court of Criminal Appeal where new dates for hearings will be at the “earliest possible” opportunity when the situation improves.
The High Court will sit to deal with urgent matters including habeus corpus, extradition, injunctions and their enforcement, wardship matters and judicial review applications. Personal injuries cases to be heard in Cork on Monday have also been cancelled.
Bail applications and extradition hearings will be conducted by video link in the Criminal Courts of Justice.
Actions and applications not involving witnesses will begin on the dates set for hearing.
In the Circuit Court only ongoing jury trials and custody sentencing hearings will be dealt with. District Court Appeals will be dealt with after June 10th and family law lists will be adjourned until after April 20th, as will civil cases and motions. However, a judge will be available in all courts to hear urgent applications including barring order and protection order cases.
District Courts will hear only urgent cases.
Concerns
In an email to members on Friday evening, following his appeal the day before for the Courts Service to review its proposals, president of the Bar Council Michael P O’ Higgins said they were “reviewing the contents”.
In an email to its 20,000 solicitor members on Friday evening, president of the Law Society Michele O’Boyle and its director general, Ken Murphy, said the Courts Service had taken on board the concerns of solicitors, many of whom thought “the courts should be closed completely, other than for urgent business, and that much greater clarity was needed as to how ‘urgent business’ should be defined”.
Fianna Fáil justice spokesman and senior counsel Jim O’Callaghan said all proceedings should be adjourned because it was a health and safety issue and “we can’t continue with business as normal”.


theirishtimes--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: Parents urged to avoid children mixing with others

Parents are being asked to avoid situations where children interact with others in a bid to contain the coronavirus threat .
Dr Muireann Ní Chrónín , a consultant respiratory paediatrician at Cork University Hospital , said children risk silently transmitting the virus to more vulnerable members of the community .
In a message being circulated widely on social media , she said paediatric hospitals in Italy are empty after three weeks of school closure because the usual virus stopped circulating .
“ Children will get through this no problem , ” she said .
“ Remember with corona children are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young children are the transmitters .
“ Therefore , for school closure to be effective , it ’ s really important that the kids aren ’ t mixing with other kids while out of school .
They will give it to each other and silently pass it on to our loved ones.
” She has urged parents to avoid situations where their children will interact with others as way of limiting the spread of the virus .
“ If the community responds to this it will shut it down more than anything we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the hospital this last week , I would say that coronavirus is closer to all of us than we realise and the degrees of separation for all of us is getting narrower.
” Her advice echoes that of health authorities and the State ’ s National Public Health Emergency Team , whose recommendation results in the closure of schools this week .
Dr Ronan Glynn , deputy chief medical officer at the Department of Health , has also advised that while latest data shows there is a good chance children will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others should be minimised .
“ Continue to spend time outdoors .
The fresh air is good for kids , and for you as parents .
But please do this as a family rather than meeting up in groups , ” he said .
Dr Anne Marie McLaughlin Respiratory Consultant at St James Hospital in Dublin warned parents that while school were closed , it was “ not a school holiday ” .
“ I would recommend that we stop all interactions of children and adults and teenagers outside of their household contacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That means no parties , no playdates , no visits to the playground where your children will necessarily interact with other children.
” She also recommended that children should remain in their families units and not visit grandparents for health reasons .
Official Department of Education advice is that all pupils and students – from pre-school to third level – should practice “ social distancing and minimise contact with each other ” to help avoid the spread of the virus .
“ This should include minimising social contact , avoiding meeting up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parents and guardians are urged to support their children to maintain this approach , ” Minister for Education Joe McHugh said , in a statement .
All schools , pre-schools and further and higher education settings , meanwhile , may end up shutting well beyond March 29th to support efforts to contain the virus .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Thursday morning that the Government and health authorities decided that a two-week closure was needed in order to delay the spread of the virus .
At a briefing on Thursday evening , Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance school closures may extend beyond this point depending on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team .
Some well-placed sources have suggested the school shutdown could extend into the Easter holidays , resulting in a five-week closure .
In the meantime , the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert oral and practical exams are set to be postponed .
They were due to take place between March 23rd and April 3rd .
A spokesman for the Department of Education said the State Examinations Commission ( SEC ) is “ actively working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the State examinations ” .
“ In the case of orals and practicals that are scheduled for the period of closure , the SEC will work with schools to reschedule these as soon as practicable , ” he added .
These tests comprise the Leaving Cert oral tests in Irish , French , German , Spanish , Italian , Russian and Japanese , along with performance tests in Leaving Cert and Junior Cert music .
Practical tests in junior-cycle home economics were also due to take place .
In addition , higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for May exams .

Speaking to the media at Dr Steeven's Hospital, Dublin, HSE CEO Paul Reid said the plan for dealing with the Covid 19 pandemic 'delay phase' in Ireland was now being implemented. Video: John Cassidy
Parents are being asked to avoid situations where children interact with others in a bid to contain the coronavirus threat.
Dr Muireann Ní Chrónín, a consultant respiratory paediatrician at Cork University Hospital, said children risk silently transmitting the virus to more vulnerable members of the community.
In a message being circulated widely on social media, she said paediatric hospitals in Italy are empty after three weeks of school closure because the usual virus stopped circulating.
“Children will get through this no problem,” she said. “Remember with corona children are vectors not victims . In most epidemics young children are the transmitters.
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“Therefore, for school closure to be effective, it’s really important that the kids aren’t mixing with other kids while out of school . They will give it to each other and silently pass it on to our loved ones.”
She has urged parents to avoid situations where their children will interact with others as way of limiting the spread of the virus.
“If the community responds to this it will shut it down more than anything we do in hospital . From my experiences in the hospital this last week, I would say that coronavirus is closer to all of us than we realise and the degrees of separation for all of us is getting narrower.”
Her advice echoes that of health authorities and the State’s National Public Health Emergency Team, whose recommendation results in the closure of schools this week.
Latest data
Dr Ronan Glynn, deputy chief medical officer at the Department of Health, has also advised that while latest data shows there is a good chance children will not be affected if exposed, interaction with others should be minimised.
“Continue to spend time outdoors. The fresh air is good for kids, and for you as parents . But please do this as a family rather than meeting up in groups,” he said.
Dr Anne Marie McLaughlin Respiratory Consultant at St James Hospital in Dublin warned parents that while school were closed, it was “not a school holiday”.
“I would recommend that we stop all interactions of children and adults and teenagers outside of their household contacts,” she told RTÉ News.
“That means no parties, no playdates, no visits to the playground where your children will necessarily interact with other children.”
She also recommended that children should remain in their families units and not visit grandparents for health reasons.
Official Department of Education advice is that all pupils and students – from pre-school to third level – should practice “social distancing and minimise contact with each other” to help avoid the spread of the virus.
“This should include minimising social contact, avoiding meeting up and keeping physical space between them. Parents and guardians are urged to support their children to maintain this approach,” Minister for Education Joe McHugh said, in a statement.
All schools, pre-schools and further and higher education settings, meanwhile, may end up shutting well beyond March 29th to support efforts to contain the virus.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Thursday morning that the Government and health authorities decided that a two-week closure was needed in order to delay the spread of the virus.
At a briefing on Thursday evening, Department of Health officials said there was a chance school closures may extend beyond this point depending on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team.
Shutdown extension
Some well-placed sources have suggested the school shutdown could extend into the Easter holidays, resulting in a five-week closure.
In the meantime, the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert oral and practical exams are set to be postponed. They were due to take place between March 23rd and April 3rd.
A spokesman for the Department of Education said the State Examinations Commission (SEC) is "actively working with the Department to develop contingency arrangements for the State examinations".
“In the case of orals and practicals that are scheduled for the period of closure, the SEC will work with schools to reschedule these as soon as practicable,” he added.
These tests comprise the Leaving Cert oral tests in Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Japanese, along with performance tests in Leaving Cert and Junior Cert music. Practical tests in junior-cycle home economics were also due to take place.
In addition, higher education institutions are drawing up alternative arrangements for May exams.


theirishtimes--2020-03-13--Hundreds of student gardaí sworn in to boost numbers

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Friday unveiled a range of “ exceptional event ” measures in response to the coronavirus .
He also insisted that suspects will still be arrested for crimes as usual and the investigation of serious crime would continue .
While he said some gardaí would have a high visibility presence around some shops , including directing traffic in and out of car parks , gardaí would not patrol at retail outlets .
On Thursday there was evidence of panic buying in some shops after the Government annouced a range of restrictions to try and curb the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no confirmed cases of the coronavirus within the ranks of An Garda Síochána though some facilities , including cells at Kevin St Garda station in Dublin required deep cleaning after concerns emerged that people who may have Covid-19 had been in them .
Speaking at Garda Headquarters , Phoenix Park , Dublin , Mr Harris confirmed the Garda College at Templemore , Co Tipperary , was closing .
In an unprecedented step the 325 recruit gardaí currently studying at the college would be sworn into the force and become fully attested Garda members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This was happening though some of the recruits were still in the first weeks of their training .
Mr Harris said while it was “ not ideal ” , the young Garda members would work under the tutorship of experienced colleagues on the streets .
He added those who were now being conferred full Garda powers would go back to the college to complete their training at a later time .
Between the 325 recruit gardaí now being attested and the Garda tutors who work at the college being freed up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in over 400 additional gardaíbeing available for duty .
Mr Harris added those Garda members who should be retiring around now on age grounds could stay on in the force for an extra 12 months .
And any officer who had decided to avail of an early retirement package could stay on for an initial extension period of three months .
The new measures are set to come into place next Monday , March 16th .
From that date Defence Forces personnel will be in a holding position in barracks and ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 72-hour rotations .
However , Mr Harris said the Garda had seen no signs of looting or civil unrest and there was no expectation that would happen .
Asked if Garda members had been told only to arrest people if absolutely necessary and to use mechanisms such as fixed charge notices and cautions instead , Mr Harris said there was no ban on any types of arrests .
“ Where alternative methods can be used and used appropriately , that will be done , ” he said .
“ But in many cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arrest.
” He added the Garda ’ s focus was now on equipping its staff and putting other measures in place to protect Irish society .
“ Arrest is inevitably part of that and there is no ban arrests in any shape or form , ” he said .
In the event of disorder or civil unrest gardaí would respond but the measures being put in place to increase the number of officers in the streets aimed to offer reassurance to the public that policing was in place to support them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ early retirement an extra three months is seen as significant and an effort to create continuity .
It would enable officers like Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy , who is in charge of policing in Dublin , to remain in place until the coronavirus crisis had passed it was under control .
It would also mean senior positions would not be filled by new officers being promoted into crucial posts in the force at a time of unprecedented crisis in the modern era .
In a bid to further shore up the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave was being restricted to five per cent of personnel in any division or bureau and all non-essential foreign travel was being stopped .
All training at the Garda College for existing Garda members in areas such as handling firearms or advance driving was also scrapped .

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has announced a number of new measures as part of a new coronavirus policing plan, including the early swearing in of student gardai to take on frontline policing tasks. Video: Collins
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Friday unveiled a range of "exceptional event" measures in response to the coronavirus.
He also insisted that suspects will still be arrested for crimes as usual and the investigation of serious crime would continue.
While he said some gardaí would have a high visibility presence around some shops, including directing traffic in and out of car parks, gardaí would not patrol at retail outlets.
On Thursday there was evidence of panic buying in some shops after the Government annouced a range of restrictions to try and curb the transmission of Covid 19.
READ MORE
There are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus within the ranks of An Garda Síochána though some facilities, including cells at Kevin St Garda station in Dublin required deep cleaning after concerns emerged that people who may have Covid-19 had been in them.
Speaking at Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, Mr Harris confirmed the Garda College at Templemore, Co Tipperary, was closing.
In an unprecedented step the 325 recruit gardaí currently studying at the college would be sworn into the force and become fully attested Garda members, including having the power of arrest.
This was happening though some of the recruits were still in the first weeks of their training.
Mr Harris said while it was “not ideal”, the young Garda members would work under the tutorship of experienced colleagues on the streets.
He added those who were now being conferred full Garda powers would go back to the college to complete their training at a later time.
Between the 325 recruit gardaí now being attested and the Garda tutors who work at the college being freed up, the closure of the Garda College would result in over 400 additional gardaíbeing available for duty.
Mr Harris added those Garda members who should be retiring around now on age grounds could stay on in the force for an extra 12 months.
And any officer who had decided to avail of an early retirement package could stay on for an initial extension period of three months.
The new measures are set to come into place next Monday, March 16th. From that date Defence Forces personnel will be in a holding position in barracks and ready to be deployed for any duties for 72-hour rotations.
However, Mr Harris said the Garda had seen no signs of looting or civil unrest and there was no expectation that would happen.
Asked if Garda members had been told only to arrest people if absolutely necessary and to use mechanisms such as fixed charge notices and cautions instead, Mr Harris said there was no ban on any types of arrests.
“Where alternative methods can be used and used appropriately, that will be done,” he said. “But in many cases we will still have no option but to arrest.”
He added the Garda’s focus was now on equipping its staff and putting other measures in place to protect Irish society.
“Arrest is inevitably part of that and there is no ban arrests in any shape or form,” he said.
In the event of disorder or civil unrest gardaí would respond but the measures being put in place to increase the number of officers in the streets aimed to offer reassurance to the public that policing was in place to support them.
The decision to offer Garda officers taking early retirement an extra three months is seen as significant and an effort to create continuity.
It would enable officers like Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy, who is in charge of policing in Dublin, to remain in place until the coronavirus crisis had passed it was under control.
It would also mean senior positions would not be filled by new officers being promoted into crucial posts in the force at a time of unprecedented crisis in the modern era.
In a bid to further shore up the number of Garda members available for duty, annual leave was being restricted to five per cent of personnel in any division or bureau and all non-essential foreign travel was being stopped.
All training at the Garda College for existing Garda members in areas such as handling firearms or advance driving was also scrapped.


theirishtimes--2020-03-13--Teenager pleads guilty to murdering Cork student Cameron Blair

A teenage boy has admitted murdering 20-year-old college student Cameron Blair in Co Cork earlier this year .
The 17-year-old boy , who can not be named because he is a minor , was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Friday .
He was charged with murdering the student on Bandon Road on January 16 last .
Dressed in a grey shirt and black trousers , he stood and pleaded guilty to the offence .
Mr Blair was a native of Ballinascarthy in west Cork and a second-year chemical engineering student at Cork Institute of Technology .
He died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after being stabbed in the neck while attending a student party at a house in Cork city .
Brendan Grehan SC , defending , said his client was present in court with his father and some other relatives .
He said he did not think any psychiatric issues arose in the case but thought it would be useful to have a psychological report .
Mr Justice Paul McDermott directed that the boy continue to be detained at Oberstown Children Detention Centre until April 3 , when a psychological assessment and probation report will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The court heard there will be victim impact evidence on that date .

A teenager has pleaded guilty to the murder of second year chemical engineering student Cameron Blair from Ballinascarthy, Co Cork. Photograph: Denis Boyle
A teenage boy has admitted murdering 20-year-old college student Cameron Blair in Co Cork earlier this year.
The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Friday.
He was charged with murdering the student on Bandon Road on January 16 last. Dressed in a grey shirt and black trousers, he stood and pleaded guilty to the offence.
Mr Blair was a native of Ballinascarthy in west Cork and a second-year chemical engineering student at Cork Institute of Technology. He died at Cork University Hospital on January 16 after being stabbed in the neck while attending a student party at a house in Cork city.
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Brendan Grehan SC, defending, said his client was present in court with his father and some other relatives.
He said he did not think any psychiatric issues arose in the case but thought it would be useful to have a psychological report.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott directed that the boy continue to be detained at Oberstown Children Detention Centre until April 3, when a psychological assessment and probation report will be made available to the court.
The court heard there will be victim impact evidence on that date.


theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: Government leaders meeting counterparts in North after jump in cases

Government leaders and medical officers from the Republic and Northern Ireland were due to meet on Saturday morning to discuss the coronavirus situation on the island of Ireland .
Twenty new cases of the disease , also known as Covid-19 , were reported in the Republic on Friday evening , the second-highest daily jump in the figures .
There are now 90 confirmed cases and one death in the Republic , along with 29 cases in Northern Ireland , which reported nine new positive tests on Friday .
The meeting of the North South Ministerial Council was scheduled for 11am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Taoiseach Leo Varadkar ; Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney ; Minister for Health Simon Harris ; Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan ; Northern Ireland ’ s First Minister Arlene Foster ; Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill ; health minister Robert Swann ; and chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride .
In Britain , the government is expected to introduce emergency laws next week to ban mass gatherings in an attempt to curb the coronavirus outbreak , an escalation of its crisis plan which critics had said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boris Johnson has so far resisted pressure to take some of the stringent measures adopted by other European countries to slow the spread of the virus .
“ We have drafted emergency legislation to give the government the powers it needs to deal with coronavirus , including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations , ” a government source said .
“ In light of rapidly changing conditions and restrictions across a number of EU countries , my department is now advising people to exercised ‘ a high degree of caution ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , ” he posted on Twitter at 10pm .
The Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to update advice , he added .
The advice did not apply to the UK , he confirmed .
Earlier , the department advised against all travel to Italy and all non-essential travel to Spain .
Denmark announced it was closing its borders to other nationalities ; Canada advised against non-essential international travel anywhere ; and the Czech Republic , Slovakia and Malta all announced travel restrictions and quarantine measures .
Italy recorded 250 deaths from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest increase so far and almost as bad as China ’ s worst day for deaths in February .
In the US , which reported its 50th death from the outbreak on Friday , president Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency .
Mr Trump said the decree would up $ 50 billion ( €44.9 billion ) for state and local governments to respond to the outbreak .
“ We will defeat this threat , ” Mr Trump told a news conference .
“ When America is tested , America rises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that Britain “ and a couple of other ” countries could be added to America ’ s travel ban list , noting the rise in cases in Britain in recent days .
Of the new Irish cases , six are associated with travel , and 12 with contacts of confirmed cases .
Four of the latter involve healthcare workers .
The remaining two cases are the result of community transmission .
The largest cluster of cases involve 16 people who have been infected with the virus in a single part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying anyone with a new fever of 38 degrees or more , or chills and/or respiratory tract infection including cough will require testing .
This is expected to lead to a big increase in the number of people needing to be tested .
However , GPs will be able to refer patients directly to the National Ambulance Service for testing without having to first consult public health doctors , as was the case up to now .
There also plans to start providing testing facilities in 12 specified centres in addition to people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press briefing in HSE headquarters in Dublin .
On Wednesday , the Defence Forces will move to a “ status yellow ” force posture , with about 330 troops available to aid the HSE response to coronavirus .
About 800 more troops will be available on an hour ’ s notice under the status yellow , Vice-Admiral Mark Mellet , the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces , said on Friday .
Meanwhile , chief medical officer Dr Holohan said officials were not telling pubs and restaurants to close as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ not talking lockdowns ” .
“ We ’ re not locking down the country , I ’ ve heard rumours of army and gardaí but we have no plans for that , ” he said .
The HSE said it was talking to hotels regarding isolation beds , while hundreds of prisoners may be released from jail as the Irish Prison Service warned of “ significant challenges ” it faced containing the spread of the virus .

US president Donald Trump has extended his country's travel ban to include Ireland and the United Kingdom. Video: The White House
A male patient has become the second Covid-19-related death in the Republic. The fatality comes after 39 new cases were announced on Saturday evening, bringing total infections in the State to 129.
The person who died, a male in the east of the country, had an underlying condition. Dr Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer, extended his condolences to the family and friends of this person.
The new cases are among 21 males and 10 females. Some 21 are associated with the east of the country, 13 the south, three in the North West, and two in the west.
US President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters during a press briefing about coronavirus . Photograph Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, answers questions at a media briefing in the Department of Health where he issued updates on the Covid-19 cases in Ireland.Photograph by Crispin Rodwell for the Irish Times
The chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, delivered a strong warning about compliance with social distancing measures following anecdotal evidence that activity in pubs and restaurants would suggest recommendations are not being observed.
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Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, answers questions at a media briefing in the Department of Health where he issued updates on the Covid-19 cases in Ireland.Photograph by Crispin Rodwell for the Irish Times
“There are a lot of anecdotal reports of busy restaurants and pubs. It’s important to get the message out. Listen to the message, take personal responsibility… reduce as much as possible social activity.”
Travel ban
Meanwhile Ireland and Britain have been added to the United States' travel ban, with the restrictions taking effect from 4 am Tuesday morning (midnight US time).
Speaking in the White House, vice-president Mike Pence announced the decision to expand the list, after US president Donald Trump implied at a press conference on Friday that he could do so.
Mr Trump also confirmed that he had been tested for the coronavirus, as he took to the podium at the White House press room in Washington.
Under the restrictions, American citizens, green card holders and others are still allowed to return home to the US — but will be funnelled to 13 airports and be subjected to health screenings and quarantine orders, according to reports.
Acting Homeland Security Chief Chad Wolf said the president had “made the decision due to the rising number of cases in the UK to apply these restrictions to both the UK and Ireland, so as we move forward again, these restrictions bar travel for certain foreign nationals who have been present in the UK or Ireland in the past 14 days.”
US President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters during a press briefing about coronavirus . Photograph Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
He added: “to be clear, the president’s proclamation and these travel restrictions do not apply to US citizens.”
Meanwhile the Irish Government is advising against all non-essential travel to Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said.
French restrictions
Meanwhile France announced on Saturday it will shut most shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities from midnight on Saturday and people should stay home as much as possible as the spread of coronavirus is accelerating. Prime minister Edouard Philippe announced was speaking at a news conference after the public health authority said 91 people had died in France and almost 4,500 were now infected. “I have decided to close all non-indispensable locations, notably cafes, restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs and shops,” he said. “We must absolutely limit our movements.”
Earlier Minister from the North and the South of Ireland met in Armagh on Saturday. Northern Ireland for the moment will continue to diverge from the Republic on how to address the coronavirus emergency, it became clear after the meeting .
While the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who also attended the meeting, said coronavirus "did not recognise borders" the DUP First Minister Arlene Foster and the Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill held to opposing views on whether schools, universities and childcare facilities should be closed in Northern Ireland, as happened in the South.
Mr Varadkar said it was inevitable there would be differences in approach to tackling the crisis between the North and South. “But the differences that exist are mostly around timing,” he added.
“What there isn’t any difference about is our common objective, which is to slow down this virus in its tracks and push it back as much as possible and limit the harm to human health and human life.”
In Britain, the government is expected to introduce emergency laws next week to ban mass gatherings in an attempt to curb the coronavirus outbreak, an escalation of its crisis plan that critics had said was too relaxed.
Stringent measures
British prime minister Boris Johnson has so far resisted pressure to take some of the stringent measures adopted by other European countries to slow the spread of the virus.
“We have drafted emergency legislation to give the government the powers it needs to deal with coronavirus, including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations,” a government source said.
Health authorities in England announced on Saturday a further 10 deaths caused by coronavirus, almost doubling the number of fatalities in Britain since Friday.
– Additional reporting: Agencies


theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Sea change for the worse as alien seaweed unmakes the bed

Swamping the ditches , swelling the streams , brimming the rivers beyond their banks , February ’ s floods arrived at the sea with a whole new burden of sediment , excrement and fertilisers .
Spilling out over mudflats , the load of fine and nutrient-rich particles are the latest encroachment on keystone marine communities .
In many estuaries , seagrass meadows , vital shelter and nurseries for sea life have given way to mats of decaying seaweed , soggy and smelly green deserts at low tide .
In a new monitoring survey of protected marine habitats for the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a score of inlets and bays is now classed as “ unfavourable/bad ” ( see Irish Wildlife Manual 118 ) .
The loss of entire seagrass beds that existed a decade or so ago is reported from Mulroy Bay , Valentia Harbour , Clew Bay and Blacksod Bay .
In these and other protected bays , the few seagrass shoots were being smothered or crowded out , notably by the alien brown seaweed Sargassum muticum .
Changes in the area and structure of keystone communities extend to subtidal beds of coralline maerl and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all valuable shelter for marine life .
These “ indicator ” species have very specific needs in their habitats and are quick to fail in the face of change .
A poor bill of health for the estuaries is blamed on changes in sediment composition , notably in the big conservation area of the lower river Shannon .
This is downstream from Ennis , Co Clare , a large town on the river Fergus still without proper sewage treatment .
Like Dundalk Bay , the Shannon estuary is also fed from a wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drainage , all releasing fertilising nitrogen and phosphate .
The arrival of persistent , blanketing seaweed “ tides ” in some estuaries around Ireland has warranted research by a team of 10 marine scientists and fieldworkers at NUI Galway , funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and led by Dr Ricardo Bermejo .
The Sea-Mat project has addressed a problem shared by estuaries in Europe and beyond .
Fed by decades of nitrogen run-off from intensive farming and sewage , mats of green seaweed are smothering natural inshore-life in bays of southern England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China .
Blooms can weigh millions of tonnes , making gathering and disposal difficult .
Their decay consumes most of the oxygen in the water and releases compounds toxic to fish and other marine life .
In Ireland the basic chemistry was recognised as causing a “ nuisance ” in Dublin Bay in the 19th century , when untreated sewage from the Liffey fed growths of green Ulva sea lettuce on the foreshore .
Decomposing , they released offensive and poisonous , rotten-egg gusts of hydrogen sulphide .
The gas is now blamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reputedly even one incautious jogger along weed-covered shores .
The Tolka river at the north of Dublin Bay held one of four big estuarial seaweed blooms studied and monitored by the Sea-Mat project .
Even bigger algal mats were those sheeting sheltered estuaries at Clonakilty and Argideen in west Cork and Killybegs in Co Donegal .
They differed in the mix of seaweed species .
The largest green tides are mainly species of sea lettuce , blooming in succession , first in tubular , then leafy form .
The team also discovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clonakilty ( perhaps arriving with Pacific oysters ) and a golden species colouring the tide at Killybegs .
Among the team ’ s resources has been a “ hyperspectral ” drone camera , flown over the often treacherous mudflat terrain to help in quantifying and analysing the blooms .
Nutrient enrichment , mainly by nitrogen , is what sustains their growth , and the research found no limit to it at any time of year .
The warmth and summer light of climate change could bring earlier and even denser peak biomass and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , the temperature of Irish coastal waters is predicted to increase by up to 3.6 degrees by 2100 .
An extra pressure for research is compliance with the EU Water Framework Directive , concerned with the quality of “ transitional waters ” , estuaries among them .
The Sea-Mat project has now become the Macroman project , probing the mechanisms behind macroalgal blooms and seeking ways of coping with their biomass .
One apparently ready solution has been to clear the green weed ( itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and compost it for spreading as fertiliser .
But the mat has often absorbed toxic metals that could accumulate year by year .
In Brittany it is being harvested as potential material for biofuel .
Farming more profitable seaweeds or cultivating oysters are among other suggested options .
All fall far short of repairing natural ecosystems , an ambition even more complex as rising sea level pushes estuaries inland .
Meanwhile , Macroman seeks to work with local riverine communities in establishing a network of voluntary citizen scientists .
Trained in sampling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ map , date and record the progress of blooms , now just stirring into life in the ocean ’ s spring .

Swamping the ditches, swelling the streams, brimming the rivers beyond their banks, February’s floods arrived at the sea with a whole new burden of sediment, excrement and fertilisers.
Spilling out over mudflats, the load of fine and nutrient-rich particles are the latest encroachment on keystone marine communities. In many estuaries, seagrass meadows, vital shelter and nurseries for sea life have given way to mats of decaying seaweed, soggy and smelly green deserts at low tide.
In a new monitoring survey of protected marine habitats for the National Parks and Wildlife Service the condition of a score of inlets and bays is now classed as "unfavourable/bad" (see Irish Wildlife Manual 118).
The loss of entire seagrass beds that existed a decade or so ago is reported from Mulroy Bay, Valentia Harbour, Clew Bay and Blacksod Bay. In these and other protected bays, the few seagrass shoots were being smothered or crowded out, notably by the alien brown seaweed Sargassum muticum.
READ MORE
Changes in the area and structure of keystone communities extend to subtidal beds of coralline maerl and reefs built by worms and clams, all valuable shelter for marine life. These “indicator” species have very specific needs in their habitats and are quick to fail in the face of change.
Blooms can weigh millions of tonnes, making gathering and disposal difficult
A poor bill of health for the estuaries is blamed on changes in sediment composition, notably in the big conservation area of the lower river Shannon. This is downstream from Ennis, Co Clare, a large town on the river Fergus still without proper sewage treatment.
Like Dundalk Bay, the Shannon estuary is also fed from a wide catchment of intensifying agriculture, forestry and drainage, all releasing fertilising nitrogen and phosphate.
Toxic compounds
The arrival of persistent, blanketing seaweed "tides" in some estuaries around Ireland has warranted research by a team of 10 marine scientists and fieldworkers at NUI Galway, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and led by Dr Ricardo Bermejo.
The Sea-Mat project has addressed a problem shared by estuaries in Europe and beyond. Fed by decades of nitrogen run-off from intensive farming and sewage, mats of green seaweed are smothering natural inshore-life in bays of southern England and Brittany, and from Venice to China.
Blooms can weigh millions of tonnes, making gathering and disposal difficult. Their decay consumes most of the oxygen in the water and releases compounds toxic to fish and other marine life.
In Ireland the basic chemistry was recognised as causing a “nuisance” in Dublin Bay in the 19th century, when untreated sewage from the Liffey fed growths of green Ulva sea lettuce on the foreshore. Decomposing, they released offensive and poisonous, rotten-egg gusts of hydrogen sulphide. The gas is now blamed in Brittany for killing grazing wild boar and reputedly even one incautious jogger along weed-covered shores.
The Tolka river at the north of Dublin Bay held one of four big estuarial seaweed blooms studied and monitored by the Sea-Mat project. Even bigger algal mats were those sheeting sheltered estuaries at Clonakilty and Argideen in west Cork and Killybegs in Co Donegal.
They differed in the mix of seaweed species. The largest green tides are mainly species of sea lettuce, blooming in succession, first in tubular, then leafy form. The team also discovered a burgeoning red species from Japan at Clonakilty (perhaps arriving with Pacific oysters) and a golden species colouring the tide at Killybegs.
Among the team’s resources has been a “hyperspectral” drone camera, flown over the often treacherous mudflat terrain to help in quantifying and analysing the blooms.
Warming waters
Nutrient enrichment, mainly by nitrogen, is what sustains their growth, and the research found no limit to it at any time of year. The warmth and summer light of climate change could bring earlier and even denser peak biomass and the arrival of new alien species. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the temperature of Irish coastal waters is predicted to increase by up to 3.6 degrees by 2100.
An extra pressure for research is compliance with the EU Water Framework Directive, concerned with the quality of “transitional waters”, estuaries among them. The Sea-Mat project has now become the Macroman project, probing the mechanisms behind macroalgal blooms and seeking ways of coping with their biomass.
All fall far short of repairing natural ecosystems, an ambition even more complex as rising sea level pushes estuaries inland
One apparently ready solution has been to clear the green weed (itself a difficult proceeding, except by boat) and compost it for spreading as fertiliser. But the mat has often absorbed toxic metals that could accumulate year by year. In Brittany it is being harvested as potential material for biofuel.
Farming more profitable seaweeds or cultivating oysters are among other suggested options. All fall far short of repairing natural ecosystems, an ambition even more complex as rising sea level pushes estuaries inland.
Meanwhile, Macroman seeks to work with local riverine communities in establishing a network of voluntary citizen scientists. Trained in sampling weeds and water, they will help map, date and record the progress of blooms, now just stirring into life in the ocean's spring.


theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Spring has come early to Sutton, the cowslips are out

Spring has come early to Sutton .
My neighbour ’ s clematis montana rubens is already in full bloom , and cowslips are out in good numbers at Red Rock .
I ’ ve never seen them in bloom so early .
Frank Smyth , Sutton , Dublin 13 I found this washed up on the strand near Kenmare and wondered what fish it came from .
Ivan P Pawle , Kenmare , Co Kerry It ’ s the egg mass of the common whelk .
The blue tit in the photo seems to be having a difference of opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our garden .
What is going on here , and is it cruel ?
Michael Collins , Dangan Ave , Dublin 12 The tit thinks its reflection is an interloper in its territory .
It could be cruel if the bird never gets used to it .
Last month I saw about 10 herons flying out of tall trees .
Before Christmas I saw three there , but normally I see them alone .
It was amazing to see 10 or 12 .
Rosemary Ryan , Tuitestown , Co Kilkenny Herons are sociable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in tall tree about 25m off the ground .
Heronries can contain enormous numbers of nests – one in Kent contains around 150 – but 10 to 12 is pretty normal .
On a walk in Trooperstown towards the end of last month we came across numerous ditches and ponds with two different types of frogspawn that seemed viable .
Are they both from the same type of frog ?
Peter Bishton , Trooperstown , Co Wicklow They look like spawn at different stages of development .
We only have one kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the overwintering swallows seen flitting over the river Corrib in Galway ( Eye on Nature , January 18th ) have put in an appearance again on March 3rd after a week ’ s absence .
Niall O ’ Donoghue , Galway Great to hear that they have survived the February storms .
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn , Louisburgh , Co Mayo , F28 F978 , or by email at viney @ anu.ie .
Please include a postal address .

Spring has come early to Sutton. My neighbour's clematis montana rubens is already in full bloom, and cowslips are out in good numbers at Red Rock. I've never seen them in bloom so early. Frank Smyth, Sutton, Dublin 13
Egg mass of the common whelk.
I found this washed up on the strand near Kenmare and wondered what fish it came from. Ivan P Pawle, Kenmare , Co Kerry
It's the egg mass of the common whelk.
Is this blue tit fighting with its own reflection?
The blue tit in the photo seems to be having a difference of opinion with its reflection in the mirror in our garden. What is going on here, and is it cruel?Michael Collins, Dangan Ave, Dublin 12
The tit thinks its reflection is an interloper in its territory. It could be cruel if the bird never gets used to it.
Last month I saw about 10 herons flying out of tall trees. Before Christmas I saw three there, but normally I see them alone. It was amazing to see 10 or 12.
Rosemary Ryan, Tuitestown, Co Kilkenny
Herons are sociable birds when nesting and build their nests in tall tree about 25m off the ground. Heronries can contain enormous numbers of nests – one in Kent contains around 150 – but 10 to 12 is pretty normal.
READ MORE
Is all frog spawn the same?
On a walk in Trooperstown towards the end of last month we came across numerous ditches and ponds with two different types of frogspawn that seemed viable. Are they both from the same type of frog? Peter Bishton, Trooperstown, Co Wicklow
They look like spawn at different stages of development. We only have one kind of frog.
It was heartening to see that the overwintering swallows seen flitting over the river Corrib in Galway (Eye on Nature, January 18th) have put in an appearance again on March 3rd after a week's absence. Niall O'Donoghue, Galway
Great to hear that they have survived the February storms.
[ viney@anu.ie ]


theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Why Confirmation is still ‘a thing’ in Irish schools

Mass attendance has plummeted .
Fewer people than ever are self-identifying as Catholic .
And the public has voted in significant numbers to remove religious dogma from our laws .
Yet , tens of thousands of children have still prepared for their “ big day ” this spring , even though many Confirmations across the country have now been postponed by the coronavirus lockdown .
Latest official figures show the number of children getting confirmed in the Archdiocese of Dublin is , broadly , holding steady .
In fact , numbers increased from just under 15,000 to almost 17,000 between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going on exactly ?
Are culturally Catholic families reluctant to give up on traditional milestone events in their children ’ s lives ?
Or are these figures just a symptom of the fact that 90 per cent of schools are still under Catholic control ?
Holy Cross National School in Dundrum in south Dublin is like many of the 90 per cent of Catholic primary schools in the country : the vast majority of its pupils this year are taking part in Communion and Confirmation .
Ultan MacMathuna , the school principal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pupils are due to take part in sacramental preparation this year .
“ The remaining 20 per cent are mostly pupils from different religious backgrounds or do not have a faith , ” he says .
“ Other than that , thing are still quite traditional .
There is no big shift away it.
” As a Catholic school , sacramental preparation forms part of the school day and many hours are spent ensuring children are prepared for the event .
At an inner-city Catholic primary school , it is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who declines to be named – says numbers taking part in the sacrament are as high as ever .
“ Most of the churches around here are quite empty , but Communion and Confirmation is still a very big deal , ” the principal says .
“ It ’ s very much about the occasion and a rite of passage .
Parents might not have much time for the church or go to Mass , but they see this as a big milestone.
” Another teacher at a Catholic school , who declines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are doing it simply because “ everyone else is doing it ” and it is expected of children .
“ I think parents , even if they are not mass-goers or believers , want their children to fit in , ” the teacher says .
“ It ’ s easier to go along with it , By opting out , their child misses out on the big day.
” At Belmayne Educate Together National School in north Dublin , a multidenominational school , there is no sacramental preparation during the school day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have Communion or Confirmation must opt-in and pay extra for a special religious class outside school hours .
Despite this , school principal Sinead O ’ Meara estimates that most of the pupils from Catholic families – between 30 and 40 per cent in a single class – are opting in to these classes .
She says she senses a strong cultural Catholicism among pupils and parents , even if the families are not regular mass-goers .
“ In an Educate Together school , the sense of identity can become more important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backgrounds .
So , if the family background is Catholic , it can become more important , ” she says .
“ If parents have been to a Catholic school or if there is pressure from grandparents , many decide to opt their children into the class .
It is a big family event and they don ’ t want to miss out on it .
And , of course , it ’ s a big thing with girls and the white dress .
.
.
” She notes , however , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a third – end up opting out of Confirmation .
“ I think it ’ s because they are learning about democracy and rights , and they may pick up that their parents are not practising .
So , they feel , ‘ well if you don ’ t believe , why should I ’ , ” says O ’ Meara .
These factors have led to growing alarm with the Catholic Church over what many regard as the diminishing of school-led sacraments .
While the numbers are healthy on the face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the foundations of children ’ s faith is weaker than ever and that religious events have turned into largely social occasions .
With fewer parents who are practising Catholics , teachers and the clergy have reported that children no longer have the basic levels of religious knowledge that used to be taken for granted , such as knowing when to sit or kneel at Mass .
That ’ s is why the Dublin Archdiocese is moving to change the way children are prepared for the sacraments .
Late year , Archbishop Diarmuid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking responsibility for sacramental preparation out of schools .
Instead , parishes will take over the preparation and will involve parents directly in the process .
In his letter to priests and parishes , Archbishop Martin said the proposal is “ not something that will be accomplished overnight ; it can not however be put forever on the long finger .
We must begin now ” .
Donal Harrington , catechetics co-ordinator at the Dublin Diocese , is playing a key role in helping to shape what this new system will look like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still being worked on , sacramental preparation in the parish will be on an “ opt-in ” basis .
This , he says , will lead to a reduction in numbers .
The ceremonies are also likely to be much smaller ; instead of a big school-organised Mass on a Saturday , the sacraments will be spread out over the course of a number of Sunday Masses , making it less of a “ huge show ” .
“ The idea is that you no will longer make your First Communion just because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In future , people will make a request to the parish and follow a parish programme that will be put in place , ” he says .
“ It ’ s fairly automatic at the moment and many are not able to opt out .
It can take a lot to opt out when so many other children are having a big day and everything.
” Most anticipate that the numbers will fall , he says , though it is hard to say by how much .
“ There will be a reduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along are more likely to be interested and engaged , ” he says .
The details of what kind of sacramental preparation parents and their children will opt-in to are still being examined .
However , it won ’ t be a simple after-school class .
This , he says , would simply replicate what is happening at present – and there is a consensus that it isn ’ t working .
It is more likely will be a programme based on supporting parents in the home , giving them resources and attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be very family-friendly .
We don ’ t want to excluded anyone .
.
.
but if we want to change anything , we know it will have to different , ” he says .
At present , the diocese is sketching out how it might work and consulting with priests , parents and others .
You want their buy-in and for them to be enthused about this.
” There are also existing programmes in place in some parishes which are aimed at boosting parental involvement around the sacraments .
For example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a programme where parents are invited to attend Mass regularly with their children , with special Masses held on a monthly basis over a nine-month period in the lead-up to Communion .
Ultimately , Harrington says he wants a parish-based experience where parents feel affirmed and supported .
One option under consideration for Confirmation , he says , is moving the age at which children prepare for the sacrament .
In some other countries , children are teenagers by the time they are confirmed , giving them a greater sense of say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a debate about whether sixth class really is the best time .
There is a sense that it is not working and maybe we could delay it to teenage years .
.
.
There is no right age for Confirmation , people have different views – it ’ s a sacrament in search of meaning and there is no strong consensus on it.
” Ultimately , he says , any decision will be made by consensus approach in consultation with priest , parents and schools .
If sacramental preparation is now on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inevitably raise wider questions around the place of faith formation or religious instruction during the school day .
At present , schools are entitled to set aside up to 30 minutes of the school day for religious instruction .
Critics point out that this is twice the amount of time devoted to subjects such as physical education .
The wording of the archbishop ’ s announcement says the new approach “ advocates a renewed relationship with Catholic schools in promoting Catholic ethos and in delivering the Grow in Love programme ” .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – though the emphasis on the sacraments will reduce .
Overall , Harrington says , schools are positive about the move .
“ In some schools where there is a committed principal , there might be a sense of nostalgia of what we ’ re losing – and a fear that if you take out the sacrament , do you then lose something ?
.
.
.
But for teachers in national schools who are interested in faith , they have seen that it has decreased a lot .
So , they feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Mass attendance has plummeted. Fewer people than ever are self-identifying as Catholic. And the public has voted in significant numbers to remove religious dogma from our laws.
Yet, tens of thousands of children have still prepared for their “big day” this spring, even though many Confirmations across the country have now been postponed by the coronavirus lockdown.
Latest official figures show the number of children getting confirmed in the Archdiocese of Dublin is, broadly, holding steady. In fact, numbers increased from just under 15,000 to almost 17,000 between 2017 and 2018.
So, what is going on exactly? Are culturally Catholic families reluctant to give up on traditional milestone events in their children’s lives? Or are these figures just a symptom of the fact that 90 per cent of schools are still under Catholic control?
READ MORE
Holy Cross National School in Dundrum in south Dublin is like many of the 90 per cent of Catholic primary schools in the country: the vast majority of its pupils this year are taking part in Communion and Confirmation.
Ultan MacMathuna, the school principal, estimates that about 80 per cent of the pupils are due to take part in sacramental preparation this year.
“The remaining 20 per cent are mostly pupils from different religious backgrounds or do not have a faith,” he says. “Other than that, thing are still quite traditional. There is no big shift away it.”
As a Catholic school, sacramental preparation forms part of the school day and many hours are spent ensuring children are prepared for the event.
At an inner-city Catholic primary school, it is a similar picture. The school principal – who declines to be named – says numbers taking part in the sacrament are as high as ever.
Empty churches
“Most of the churches around here are quite empty, but Communion and Confirmation is still a very big deal,” the principal says. “ It’s very much about the occasion and a rite of passage. Parents might not have much time for the church or go to Mass, but they see this as a big milestone.”
Another teacher at a Catholic school, who declines to be named, feels that many are doing it simply because “everyone else is doing it” and it is expected of children.
“I think parents, even if they are not mass-goers or believers, want their children to fit in,” the teacher says. “It’s easier to go along with it, By opting out, their child misses out on the big day.”
In some other countries, children are teenagers by the time they are confirmed, giving them a greater sense of say in the process. Photograph: iStock
At Belmayne Educate Together National School in north Dublin, a multidenominational school, there is no sacramental preparation during the school day.
Instead, families who want their children to have Communion or Confirmation must opt-in and pay extra for a special religious class outside school hours.
Despite this, school principal Sinead O’Meara estimates that most of the pupils from Catholic families – between 30 and 40 per cent in a single class – are opting in to these classes.
She says she senses a strong cultural Catholicism among pupils and parents, even if the families are not regular mass-goers.
“In an Educate Together school, the sense of identity can become more important, because everyone has different beliefs and backgrounds. So, if the family background is Catholic, it can become more important,” she says.
“If parents have been to a Catholic school or if there is pressure from grandparents, many decide to opt their children into the class. It is a big family event and they don’t want to miss out on it. And, of course, it’s a big thing with girls and the white dress . . . ”
She notes, however, that a significant proportion of these children – about a third – end up opting out of Confirmation.
“I think it’s because they are learning about democracy and rights, and they may pick up that their parents are not practising. So, they feel, ‘well if you don’t believe, why should I’,” says O’Meara.
These factors have led to growing alarm with the Catholic Church over what many regard as the diminishing of school-led sacraments.
While the numbers are healthy on the face of it, there is a recognition that the foundations of children’s faith is weaker than ever and that religious events have turned into largely social occasions.
With fewer parents who are practising Catholics, teachers and the clergy have reported that children no longer have the basic levels of religious knowledge that used to be taken for granted, such as knowing when to sit or kneel at Mass.
That’s is why the Dublin Archdiocese is moving to change the way children are prepared for the sacraments.
Late year, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin announced significant changes by taking responsibility for sacramental preparation out of schools. Instead, parishes will take over the preparation and will involve parents directly in the process.
In his letter to priests and parishes, Archbishop Martin said the proposal is "not something that will be accomplished overnight; it cannot however be put forever on the long finger. We must begin now".
Donal Harrington, catechetics co-ordinator at the Dublin Diocese, is playing a key role in helping to shape what this new system will look like.
He says that while details are still being worked on, sacramental preparation in the parish will be on an “opt-in” basis. This, he says, will lead to a reduction in numbers.
The ceremonies are also likely to be much smaller; instead of a big school-organised Mass on a Saturday, the sacraments will be spread out over the course of a number of Sunday Masses, making it less of a “huge show”.
“The idea is that you no will longer make your First Communion just because you’re in second class. In future, people will make a request to the parish and follow a parish programme that will be put in place,” he says.
“It’s fairly automatic at the moment and many are not able to opt out. It can take a lot to opt out when so many other children are having a big day and everything.”
Sacramental preparation
Most anticipate that the numbers will fall, he says, though it is hard to say by how much.
“There will be a reduction in numbers. The people who come along are more likely to be interested and engaged,” he says.
The details of what kind of sacramental preparation parents and their children will opt-in to are still being examined. However, it won’t be a simple after-school class.
This, he says, would simply replicate what is happening at present – and there is a consensus that it isn’t working. It is more likely will be a programme based on supporting parents in the home, giving them resources and attending parish events.
“We want it to be very family-friendly. We don’t want to excluded anyone . . . but if we want to change anything, we know it will have to different, ” he says. At present, the diocese is sketching out how it might work and consulting with priests, parents and others. You want their buy-in and for them to be enthused about this.”
There are also existing programmes in place in some parishes which are aimed at boosting parental involvement around the sacraments.
For example, Do This In Memory Of Me is a programme where parents are invited to attend Mass regularly with their children, with special Masses held on a monthly basis over a nine-month period in the lead-up to Communion.
Ultimately, Harrington says he wants a parish-based experience where parents feel affirmed and supported.
One option under consideration for Confirmation, he says, is moving the age at which children prepare for the sacrament. In some other countries, children are teenagers by the time they are confirmed, giving them a greater sense of say in the process.
“There is a debate about whether sixth class really is the best time. There is a sense that it is not working and maybe we could delay it to teenage years . . . There is no right age for Confirmation, people have different views – it’s a sacrament in search of meaning and there is no strong consensus on it.”
Ultimately, he says, any decision will be made by consensus approach in consultation with priest, parents and schools.
If sacramental preparation is now on the way out of schools, it will inevitably raise wider questions around the place of faith formation or religious instruction during the school day.
At present, schools are entitled to set aside up to 30 minutes of the school day for religious instruction. Critics point out that this is twice the amount of time devoted to subjects such as physical education.
The wording of the archbishop’s announcement says the new approach “advocates a renewed relationship with Catholic schools in promoting Catholic ethos and in delivering the Grow in Love programme”. This means faith formation will continue during school – though the emphasis on the sacraments will reduce.
Overall, Harrington says, schools are positive about the move. “In some schools where there is a committed principal, there might be a sense of nostalgia of what we’ re losing – and a fear that if you take out the sacrament, do you then lose something? . . . But for teachers in national schools who are interested in faith, they have seen that it has decreased a lot. So, they feel, what we are doing makes sense.”