theirishtimes--2020-11-22--Covid-19: NI ministers urged to ‘get a grip’ amid wrangling over curbs

Stormont ministers have been warned to “ get a grip of themselves ” amid party political wrangling over curbing the spread of Covid-19 .
Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said the North ’ s lockdown could have been over by next Friday , instead of being extended to December 11th , had the Executive shown more leadership .
“ Our ministers really need to get a grip of themselves , they need to start working as one , ” he told BBC NI ’ s Sunday Politics .
“ There needs to be a single message coming out of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing is sniping at each other and trying to politically point score each other .
“ Where there is a failing in one department in the Executive , then the others need to rally round and help support them to get it fixed as opposed to pointing a finger at somebody else to detract attention away from them .
That is the fundamental problem.
” All five Executive parties - including the DUP , which previously opposed extending existing restrictions - last week agreed to a two week “ circuit break ” lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It comes after an easing of some restrictions last Friday and will include the closure of hospitality , churches , non-essential retail , close contact businesses as well as leisure and entertainment businesses .
The measures were agreed amid concerns about hospital capacity in the North and warnings that the Covid-19 situation could deteriorate further still .
Ten more people with the disease have died in the North , bringing the total recorded death toll since the pandemic began to 933 , according to the Department of Health .
Six of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Saturday and Sunday morning , with the other four deaths happening earlier but only now being reported .
A further 342 cases of the virus were confirmed on Sunday , taking the total number of confirmed cases in the North to 49,784 .
SDLP MLA Matthew O ’ Toole , who sits on Stormont ’ s Finance Committee , accused the Executive of “ dither and delay ” over getting badly needed financial support to traders forced to shut because of the latest restrictions .
“ We have a significant amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Executive ’ s coffers - around half a billion - we know that is there to be spent on exactly this , ” he said .
“ We have seen , unfortunately , quite a lot of dither and delay over allocating it properly , getting the schemes up and running.
” Mr O ’ Toole said the North ’ s Department of the Economy and Department of Finance needed to work together to get supports “ out the door ” .
“ It is simply not good enough to leave that dangling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said , adding that businesses have suffered “ enormous and completely unacceptable confusion over the last few weeks .
”

Stormont ministers have been warned to “get a grip of themselves” amid party political wrangling over curbing the spread of Covid-19.
Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said the North’s lockdown could have been over by next Friday, instead of being extended to December 11th, had the Executive shown more leadership.
“Our ministers really need to get a grip of themselves, they need to start working as one,” he told BBC NI’s Sunday Politics.
“There needs to be a single message coming out of our Executive. What they need to stop doing is sniping at each other and trying to politically point score each other.
READ MORE
“Where there is a failing in one department in the Executive, then the others need to rally round and help support them to get it fixed as opposed to pointing a finger at somebody else to detract attention away from them. That is the fundamental problem.”
All five Executive parties - including the DUP, which previously opposed extending existing restrictions - last week agreed to a two week “circuit break” lockdown in the North, starting next Friday.
It comes after an easing of some restrictions last Friday and will include the closure of hospitality, churches, non-essential retail, close contact businesses as well as leisure and entertainment businesses.
The measures were agreed amid concerns about hospital capacity in the North and warnings that the Covid-19 situation could deteriorate further still.
Ten deaths
Ten more people with the disease have died in the North, bringing the total recorded death toll since the pandemic began to 933, according to the Department of Health.
Six of the deaths occurred over a 24 hour period between Saturday and Sunday morning, with the other four deaths happening earlier but only now being reported.
A further 342 cases of the virus were confirmed on Sunday, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the North to 49,784.
SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole, who sits on Stormont’s Finance Committee, accused the Executive of “dither and delay” over getting badly needed financial support to traders forced to shut because of the latest restrictions.
“We have a significant amount of financial resource that is sitting in the Executive’s coffers - around half a billion - we know that is there to be spent on exactly this,” he said.
“We have seen, unfortunately, quite a lot of dither and delay over allocating it properly, getting the schemes up and running.”
Mr O’Toole said the North’s Department of the Economy and Department of Finance needed to work together to get supports “out the door”.
“It is simply not good enough to leave that dangling with the lack of clarity businesses have,” he said, adding that businesses have suffered “enormous and completely unacceptable confusion over the last few weeks.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-22--Heavy rain forecast for coming days may lead to flooding

Heavy rain in parts of Ireland in the coming days may lead to flooding , Met Éireann has warned .
On Sunday the forecaster issued a status yellow rainfall warning for Connacht , Donegal , Clare and Kerry that will be in place from 2pm on Monday to 2pm on Tuesday .
Met Éireann said that heavy rain in the affected regions during the period in question could lead to river and localised flooding .
Met Éireann said that Sunday itself will be a cool and bright day with sunny spells and scattered showers .
Highest temperatures during the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Celsius .
Sunday night will be mostly dry , but some showers will develop in the southwest towards morning .
It will be a cold night , with lowest temperatures of between 0 and 4 degrees and frost developing in many areas .
Monday is set to start off mainly dry .
However , rain is forecast to develop in the west and northwest through the morning before spreading across much of Connacht and Ulster , becoming persistent and heavy at times .
Highest temperatures during the day will be between 10 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persistent or heavy rain affect much of Ulster , Connacht and west Munster , with lowest temperatures of between 5 and 9 degrees .
Heavy rain will persist over the western half of the country on Tuesday , which will be a mostly cloudy day .
Met Éireann said this rain will bring a risk of localised flooding .
The rain in the west is forecast to extend eastwards throughout the afternoon and evening on Tuesday before eventually clearing .
Highest temperatures during the day will be between 10 and 12 degrees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mainly dry .

Heavy rain in parts of Ireland in the coming days may lead to flooding, Met Éireann has warned. File photograph: Laura Hutton/The Irish Times
Heavy rain in parts of Ireland on Monday night into Tuesday morning may lead to flooding, Met Éireann has warned.
The forecaster issued a status yellow rainfall warning on Sunday for Connacht, Donegal, Clare and Kerry that came into effect from 2pm on Monday and is due to expire ato 2pm on Tuesday. Met Éireann said that heavy rain in the affected regions during the period in question could lead to river and localised flooding.
Rain was forecast to develop in the west and northwest through Monday morning before spreading across much of Connacht and Ulster, becoming persistent and heavy at times.
Monday night will see persistent or heavy rain affect much of Ulster, Connacht and west Munster, with lowest temperatures of between 5 and 9 degrees.
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Heavy rain will persist over the western half of the country on Tuesday, which will be a mostly cloudy day. Met Éireann said this rain will bring a risk of localised flooding. The rain in the west is forecast to extend eastwards throughout the afternoon and evening on Tuesday before eventually clearing. Highest temperatures during the day will be between 10 and 12 degrees.
Tuesday night will once again be cold and mainly dry.


theirishtimes--2020-11-22--Covid-19: Minister says Christmas ‘free for all’ not on the cards as 318 cases reported

A further 318 cases of Covid-19 and one death were reported in the State on Sunday , as a Cabinet member warned that a Christmas “ free-for-all ” is not on the cards .
In a statement on Sunday evening , the Department of Health confirmed there has now been 70,461 confirmed cases and 2,023 deaths related to the coronavirus disease in the State .
Of the latest cases , 126 were in Dublin , with 45 in Cork , 28 in Limerick , 21 in Donegal , 18 in Kildare and the remaining 80 spread across 18 other counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease stands at 109.1 cases per 100,000 people , with the highest rates occurring in Donegal ( 231.2 ) , Limerick ( 208.3 ) and Louth ( 205.6 ) .
The rate in Dublin is above the national average at 119.9 cases per 100,000 people , with the lowest rates in Wexford ( 37.4 ) , Laois ( 60.2 ) and Wicklow ( 61.1 ) .
The department said that as of 2pm on Sunday , 282 people with Covid-19 are in hospital , with 31 of the patients in intensive care .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ options for easing restrictions when six weeks of the most severe , Level 5 coronavirus restrictions come to an end on December 1st .
Opposition parties , business groups and some Coalition TDs have been urging the Government to clarify what will happen next .
Asked when these plans might be announced , a Government spokeswoman on Sunday said that “ we ’ re expecting an announcement later this week ” .
Meanwhile , Minister of State Pippa Hackett on Sunday appealed to people to “ buckle down ” for the remainder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people “ young and old should be really coming together to do this ” .
“ There is no point indicating to people we are going to open up for two weeks at Christmas because that is just a free for all , ” she said on RTÉ ’ s The Week in Politics when asked about plans for Christmas .
“ Do we open for a couple of weeks and then shut back down in January ?
I don ’ t think that suits any business model and I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we should be sending out.
” However , she said the Government wanted everyone to have a meaningful Christmas where they could celebrate together .
Ms Hackett acknowledged that there was deep frustration among restaurateurs and publicans who still can not open despite having put in place the health measures they were told they needed .
The scale at which the hospitality sector is allowed to reopen next month is expected to be a key battleground in the talks between Government and health officials this week .
The Minister of State said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a concern and that it was difficult for the Government to provide certainty for businesses as they did not want a situation where businesses open before Christmas and are then forced to close again .
Northern Ireland ’ s Department of Health on Sunday reported10 further deaths from Covid-19 , bringing the death toll recorded by the department since the pandemic began to 933 , and 342 new cases of the disease .
Six of the deaths occurred over a 24-hour period between Saturday and Sunday morning , with the other four deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The total number of confirmed cases in the North now stands at 49,784 .
Meanwhile , new figures show an average of seven patients a day are contracting Covid-19 while in the State ’ s hospitals .
A total of 205 patients were infected with the virus in hospital in the four weeks ending on November 8th , according to the figures compiled by the HSE .
This represents a sharp rise in hospital-acquired virus infections compared with the preceding months .
A total of 299 cases of hospital-acquired Covid-19 have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new surveillance system was put in place to track these kind of cases .
This equates to an average of about one in 1,000 inpatients getting hospital-acquired Covid-19 during that period , the HSE says .
Hospitals have again become a front line during this second surge of virus cases , with large outbreaks reported in many such settings .
Services have had to be curtailed at hospitals in Letterkenny , Naas and Limerick due to staff becoming infected or having to stay at home after being identified as close contacts of positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 700 out of 5,400 coronavirus cases , or about 13 per cent of that total , occurring in the last fortnight .
The HSE recently ordered all hospitals to test all arriving inpatients for the virus .
The Irish Times reported in July that 265 patients picked up Covid-19 while in hospital for other conditions , and at least 79 of these patients had died .
This is separate from the more than 1,000 deaths of residents in nursing homes and other residential institutions that have happened here during the pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the former fatality figures this weekend .
According to a spokeswoman , the new surveillance system for hospital-acquired infections does not collect information on patient outcomes .
This is because the information is reported weekly to ensure the HSE has “ a very timely view of the situation ” , so the outcome for most patients is not known at the time .
In addition , the spokeswoman says , “ the determination of the cause of death in each individual person is complex .
“ While Covid-19 is clearly the principal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in other people who were already very seriously ill the contribution of the infection to their death can be difficult to determine.
” The test positivity rate for coronavirus tests now stands at 3.3 per cent , well down on the 7.2 per cent recorded in mid-October .
Only Finland and Iceland have a lower incidence of Covid-19 than the State at present when it comes to European nations , according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control .
Case numbers are stable or declining in the Republic and 14 other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stable or declining in the Republic and three other European countries – Liechtenstein , Czech Republic and Sweden .

An average of seven patients a day are contracting Covid-19 while in the State’s hospitals, according to new figures. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
A further 318 cases of Covid-19 and one death were reported in the State on Sunday, as a Cabinet member warned that a Christmas “free-for-all” is not on the cards.
In a statement on Sunday evening, the Department of Health confirmed there has now been 70,461 confirmed cases and 2,023 deaths related to the coronavirus disease in the State.
Of the latest cases, 126 were in Dublin, with 45 in Cork, 28 in Limerick, 21 in Donegal, 18 in Kildare and the remaining 80 spread across 18 other counties.
The 14-day incidence rate of the disease stands at 109.1 cases per 100,000 people, with the highest rates occurring in Donegal (231.2), Limerick (208.3) and Louth (205.6).
READ MORE
The rate in Dublin is above the national average at 119.9 cases per 100,000 people, with the lowest rates in Wexford (37.4), Laois (60.2) and Wicklow (61.1).
The department said that as of 2pm on Sunday, 282 people with Covid-19 are in hospital, with 31 of the patients in intensive care.
Government officials are continuing to assess the options for easing restrictions when six weeks of the most severe, Level 5 coronavirus restrictions come to an end on December 1st.
Opposition parties, business groups and some Coalition TDs have been urging the Government to clarify what will happen next. Asked when these plans might be announced, a Government spokeswoman on Sunday said that “we’re expecting an announcement later this week”.
‘Buckle down’
Meanwhile, Minister of State Pippa Hackett on Sunday appealed to people to "buckle down" for the remainder of the Level 5 period. She said people "young and old should be really coming together to do this".
“There is no point indicating to people we are going to open up for two weeks at Christmas because that is just a free for all,” she said on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics when asked about plans for Christmas.
“Do we open for a couple of weeks and then shut back down in January? I don’t think that suits any business model and I don’t think that is particularly the message that we should be sending out.”
However, she said the Government wanted everyone to have a meaningful Christmas where they could celebrate together.
Ms Hackett acknowledged that there was deep frustration among restaurateurs and publicans who still cannot open despite having put in place the health measures they were told they needed. The scale at which the hospitality sector is allowed to reopen next month is expected to be a key battleground in the talks between Government and health officials this week.
The Minister of State said the number of Covid-19 cases being recorded remained a concern and that it was difficult for the Government to provide certainty for businesses as they did not want a situation where businesses open before Christmas and are then forced to close again.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's Department of Health on Sunday reported10 further deaths from Covid-19, bringing the death toll recorded by the department since the pandemic began to 933, and 342 new cases of the disease.
Six of the deaths occurred over a 24-hour period between Saturday and Sunday morning, with the other four deaths happening earlier but only now being reported. The total number of confirmed cases in the North now stands at 49,784.
Meanwhile, new figures show an average of seven patients a day are contracting Covid-19 while in the State’s hospitals.
A total of 205 patients were infected with the virus in hospital in the four weeks ending on November 8th, according to the figures compiled by the HSE.
This represents a sharp rise in hospital-acquired virus infections compared with the preceding months. A total of 299 cases of hospital-acquired Covid-19 have been reported since June 21st, when a new surveillance system was put in place to track these kind of cases.
This equates to an average of about one in 1,000 inpatients getting hospital-acquired Covid-19 during that period, the HSE says.
Hospitals have again become a front line during this second surge of virus cases, with large outbreaks reported in many such settings.
Services have had to be curtailed at hospitals in Letterkenny, Naas and Limerick due to staff becoming infected or having to stay at home after being identified as close contacts of positive cases.
Inpatient tests
Healthcare workers account for about 700 out of 5,400 coronavirus cases, or about 13 per cent of that total, occurring in the last fortnight. The HSE recently ordered all hospitals to test all arriving inpatients for the virus.
The Irish Times reported in July that 265 patients picked up Covid-19 while in hospital for other conditions, and at least 79 of these patients had died. This is separate from the more than 1,000 deaths of residents in nursing homes and other residential institutions that have happened here during the pandemic.
The HSE was unable to provide an update for the former fatality figures this weekend. According to a spokeswoman, the new surveillance system for hospital-acquired infections does not collect information on patient outcomes.
This is because the information is reported weekly to ensure the HSE has “a very timely view of the situation”, so the outcome for most patients is not known at the time.
In addition, the spokeswoman says, “the determination of the cause of death in each individual person is complex.
“While Covid-19 is clearly the principal cause of death for some people, in other people who were already very seriously ill the contribution of the infection to their death can be difficult to determine.”
The test positivity rate for coronavirus tests now stands at 3.3 per cent, well down on the 7.2 per cent recorded in mid-October.
Only Finland and Iceland have a lower incidence of Covid-19 than the State at present when it comes to European nations, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Case numbers are stable or declining in the Republic and 14 other European countries. The death rate is stable or declining in the Republic and three other European countries – Liechtenstein, Czech Republic and Sweden.


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--Arrests for drug manufacture double as Covid-19 hits crime groups

Arrests for the manufacture or cultivation of drugs has doubled this year , a reflection of the Covid-19 pandemic ’ s impact on the Irish drugs market .
Interruption of regular drug production and distribution routes caused by Covid-19 has led to an increase in criminals growing and manufacturing drugs at home or in business premises , according to Garda sources .
This , combined with an increase in the number of drugs squad gardaí , has led to 336 arrests for drug cultivation or manufacture so far this year .
The majority of these arrests related to the cultivation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sale .
The number of people arrested for the sale or supply of drugs so far this year stands at about 5,100 , a 28 per cent increase on 2019 , while the amount of cash seized from criminals has roughly doubled to €18 million .
The figures were detailed by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Monday at the launch of an evaluation report into a new crime reduction mechanism called the Community Crime Impact Assessment ( CCIA ) tool .
“ Covid has changed the way organised crime groups are operating and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place .
And they indeed they have quickly adapted , ” the Commissioner said .
He pointed to a recent UN report on drugs crime which stated temporary unemployment caused by Covid-19 is disproportionately impacting poorer communities which are in turn being targeted by drug gangs .
“ We have been working hard throughout the pandemic to prevent this , ” Mr Harris said .
CCIAs allow disadvantaged communities to collectively highlight issues of crime and anti-social behaviour which are then acted upon by the Garda and local authorities .
Praising the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot the Garda can do to combat community level crime “ but we can do a lot more when we are working in partnership with others ” .
CCIAs have been suggested as a way of addressing drug debt intimidation which has become a major problem in disadvantaged communities in recent years .
“ We are very much concerned about drug related control and intimidation and with the amount of influence these criminal networks can bring to bear , ” the Commissioner said .
He urged people to report drug debt intimidation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under the programme , Garda inspectors are trained in each division to deal with reports of intimidation .
“ They will meet victims in an formal or informal setting.
” Mr Harris said the Garda recognises that “ sometimes these problems are very complex and require a significant policing effort to try and deal with them and bring the perpetrators of intimidation to justice .
“ But we have had success this year around drugs intimidation .
And that has given us all some glimmer of hope that individuals can be brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I would ask people to report instances of intimidation .
We will seek to deal with those with utmost professionalism and indeed in confidence .
”

The number of people arrested for the sale or supply of drugs so far this year stands at about 5,100.
Arrests for the manufacture or cultivation of drugs has doubled this year, a reflection of the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on the Irish drugs market.
Interruption of regular drug production and distribution routes caused by Covid-19 has led to an increase in criminals growing and manufacturing drugs at home or in business premises, according to Garda sources.
This, combined with an increase in the number of drugs squad gardaí, has led to 336 arrests for drug cultivation or manufacture so far this year. The majority of these arrests related to the cultivation of cannabis in the home for onward sale.
The number of people arrested for the sale or supply of drugs so far this year stands at about 5,100, a 28 per cent increase on 2019, while the amount of cash seized from criminals has roughly doubled to €18 million.
READ MORE
The figures were detailed by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Monday at the launch of an evaluation report into a new crime reduction mechanism called the Community Crime Impact Assessment (CCIA) tool.
“Covid has changed the way organised crime groups are operating and how drug production and distribution has taken place. And they indeed they have quickly adapted,” the Commissioner said.
He pointed to a recent UN report on drugs crime which stated temporary unemployment caused by Covid-19 is disproportionately impacting poorer communities which are in turn being targeted by drug gangs.
"We have been working hard throughout the pandemic to prevent this," Mr Harris said.
CCIAs allow disadvantaged communities to collectively highlight issues of crime and anti-social behaviour which are then acted upon by the Garda and local authorities.
Praising the report, Mr Harris said there is a lot the Garda can do to combat community level crime “but we can do a lot more when we are working in partnership with others”.
CCIAs have been suggested as a way of addressing drug debt intimidation which has become a major problem in disadvantaged communities in recent years.
“We are very much concerned about drug related control and intimidation and with the amount of influence these criminal networks can bring to bear,” the Commissioner said.
He urged people to report drug debt intimidation to the National Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme. Under the programme, Garda inspectors are trained in each division to deal with reports of intimidation. “They will meet victims in an formal or informal setting.”
Mr Harris said the Garda recognises that “sometimes these problems are very complex and require a significant policing effort to try and deal with them and bring the perpetrators of intimidation to justice.
“But we have had success this year around drugs intimidation. And that has given us all some glimmer of hope that individuals can be brought to justice for this particular crime.
“I would ask people to report instances of intimidation. We will seek to deal with those with utmost professionalism and indeed in confidence.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--St Columcille’s says 31 patients have tested positive for Covid-19

A south Dublin hospital has said 31 patients had now contracted Covid-19 following a significant outbreak in the facility , with 58 nursing staff unavailable with the virus or self-isolating as close contacts .
St Columcille ’ s Hospital , Loughlinstown , confirmed a further nine patients had contracted coronavirus since Thursday .
The hospital on Monday has decided to close its medical assessment unit for two days from 5pm .
This follows a decision late last week to suspend outpatient appointments due to the outbreak .
In a statement , a spokeswoman for the hospital said there were currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they had contracted Covid-19 , or had been deemed close contacts of confirmed cases .
“ This is an ever-changing situation and is being monitored on an ongoing basis .
In line with national occupational health guidance , it is expected that some staff are to return early next week , ” she said .
“ St Columcille ’ s Hospital , Loughlinstown , are continuing to respond to pressures arising from a Covid-19 outbreak which occurred in late October … The Hospital Covid Plan is being implemented and progress has made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokeswoman said .
Last week The Irish Times reported the hospital was dealing with an outbreak involving 22 patients , which arose from transmission of the virus within the facility .
St Columcille ’ s Hospital is an acute hospital with over 100 beds serving south east Dublin and east Wicklow .
The facility had not reported a Covid-19 case for several months before the current outbreak .
The two-day closure of its medical assessment unit is a further attempt to limit the spread of the outbreak .
The hospital ’ s injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has contacted the local community and GPs and have asked patients who require care to be redirected to St Michael ’ s Hospital Dun Laoghaire , ” the spokeswoman said .
“ The message for the public is that please don ’ t delay to seek medical attention .
Contact your GP who will refer you to an appropriate facility should require further care , ” she said .
The first case in the outbreak was identified when a patient , who was asymptomatic , was tested , as per protocol , prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Hospital in late October .
The patient had been in St Columcille ’ s for several weeks .
On foot of the first positive case , the hospital implemented a “ surveillance process ” to test all patients and staff deemed close contacts .
However , it is understood there were some concerns internally that the number of staff deemed to be close contacts of the initial case was too limited .
The hospital has stated it had followed Health Service Executive and Health Protection Surveillance Centre guidelines .
If staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precautions when interacting with patients who later tested positive , “ they are considered casual contacts and no testing is advised , ” the hospital spokeswoman said .

St Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown has decided to close its medical assessment unit for two days due to a significant Covid-19 outbreak.
A south Dublin hospital has said 31 patients had now contracted Covid-19 following a significant outbreak in the facility, with 58 nursing staff unavailable with the virus or self-isolating as close contacts.
St Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, confirmed a further nine patients had contracted coronavirus since Thursday.
The hospital on Monday has decided to close its medical assessment unit for two days from 5pm.
This follows a decision late last week to suspend outpatient appointments due to the outbreak.
READ MORE
In a statement, a spokeswoman for the hospital said there were currently 58 nursing staff “not available” as they had contracted Covid-19, or had been deemed close contacts of confirmed cases.
“This is an ever-changing situation and is being monitored on an ongoing basis. In line with national occupational health guidance, it is expected that some staff are to return early next week,” she said.
“St Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown, are continuing to respond to pressures arising from a Covid-19 outbreak which occurred in late October … The Hospital Covid Plan is being implemented and progress has made to stabilise the situation,” the spokeswoman said.
Last week The Irish Times reported the hospital was dealing with an outbreak involving 22 patients, which arose from transmission of the virus within the facility.
St Columcille’s Hospital is an acute hospital with over 100 beds serving south east Dublin and east Wicklow. The facility had not reported a Covid-19 case for several months before the current outbreak.
The two-day closure of its medical assessment unit is a further attempt to limit the spread of the outbreak. The hospital’s injury unit remains open.
“The hospital has contacted the local community and GPs and have asked patients who require care to be redirected to St Michael’s Hospital Dun Laoghaire,” the spokeswoman said.
“The message for the public is that please don’t delay to seek medical attention. Contact your GP who will refer you to an appropriate facility should require further care,” she said.
The first case in the outbreak was identified when a patient, who was asymptomatic, was tested, as per protocol, prior to a pending transfer to St Vincent’s Hospital in late October. The patient had been in St Columcille’s for several weeks.
On foot of the first positive case, the hospital implemented a “surveillance process” to test all patients and staff deemed close contacts. However, it is understood there were some concerns internally that the number of staff deemed to be close contacts of the initial case was too limited.
The hospital has stated it had followed Health Service Executive and Health Protection Surveillance Centre guidelines.
If staff had been wearing face masks and following precautions when interacting with patients who later tested positive, “they are considered casual contacts and no testing is advised,” the hospital spokeswoman said.


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--Taoiseach says Government to weigh benefits of visitor restrictions when planning lockdown exit

Restricting visitors to households helped reduce the spread of coronavirus and the Government must “ bear that in mind ” as it looks to lift Level 5 restrictions , Taoiseach Micheál Martin said .
Mr Martin said the Government will make a decision on either Thursday or Friday on how to exit the six-week lockdown after hearing advice from the State ’ s National Public Health Emergency Team .
The Cabinet meets on Tuesday to hear the views of Government ministers on lifting the Covid-19 restrictions before the meeting with Nphet .
“ Nphet will give its advice but Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Mr Martin told reporters on a visit to inspect Department of Agriculture post-Brexit border check facilities at Dublin Port .
The Taoiseach said the chairman of the Government ’ s vaccine taskforce , Prof Briain McCraith , had told him he hoped to have a strategy on distributing vaccines ready by December 11th .
The Taoiseach said it will require “ a national effort ” to “ get vaccines out properly and safely ” with the cooperation from various State agencies once the vaccines come through the safety approvals .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ not the moment to relax ” but rather it was the time “ to double down ” on efforts to prevent the spread of the virus .
This week ’ s meetings will “ work out the exit from Level 5 at the end of this month ” which is the Government ’ s target and objective , he said .
Asked about the Government ’ s deliberations on how to exit the lockdown on December 1st , Mr Martin said it had looked at how the virus spread in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events ” such as gatherings and congregation including events with alcohol have been shown to spread of the virus , he said .
“ Ultimately vigilance is key , human behaviour is key , ” he said .
“ What has emerged the restriction of visitors to households seems to have had an impact so we need to bear that in mind as we move through December.
” He acknowledged restrictions on visiting had been “ very hard for people.
” “ The good news is what you are doing is working .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ICU numbers , in terms of hospitalisation .
We have kept our schools open , ” he said .
The Taoiseach said the initial strategy of Level 3 restrictions on household mixing followed by Level 5 restrictions “ did work and has worked.
” “ There has been a narrative around this that I don ’ t think has been helpful or accurate .
It has worked .
We brought the numbers well down , ” he said .
“ Do we want to go lower ?
Of course we do and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers down.
” Mr Martin also said he expected RTE ’ s executives to appear before the Oireachtas media committee to discuss Covid-19 social distancing breaches by high-profile presenters at a retirement event .
This would be “ the required follow-through , ” he said .
He repeated his view that the flouting of the guidelines had been “ very disappointing ” but acknowledged that there have been “ genuine apologies from all concerned .
”

Taoiseach, Michael Martin pictured during a visit to Terminal 10 in Dublin Port, which has recently been upgraded with additional inspection rooms and cold storage facilities in preparation for Brexit. Photograph: Julien Behal Photography
The three Coalition party leaders met on Monday night and agreed that the country is on track to move out of Level 5 restrictions, however sources say no final decisions were made.
Government officials are continuing to work on plans that would see a staged exit from Level 5 restrictions which would effectively be “Level 3 with modifications” including a change later in the month to allow people move from county to county.
Earlier Taoiseach Micheál Martin said restricting visitors to households helped reduce the spread of coronavirus and the Government must “bear that in mind” as it looks to lift Level 5 restrictions.
Hospital Report
Mr Martin said the Government will make a decision on either Thursday or Friday on how to exit the six-week lockdown after hearing advice from the State’s National Public Health Emergency Team.
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The Cabinet meets on Tuesday to hear the views of Government ministers on lifting the Covid-19 restrictions before the meeting with Nphet.
"Nphet will give its advice but Government will decide how we exit Level 5," Mr Martin told reporters on a visit to inspect Department of Agriculture post-Brexit border check facilities at Dublin Port.
The Taoiseach said the chairman of the Government’s vaccine taskforce, Prof Brian MacCraith, had told him he hoped to have a strategy on distributing vaccines ready by December 11th.
The Taoiseach said it will require “a national effort” to “get vaccines out properly and safely” with the cooperation from various State agencies once the vaccines come through the safety approvals.
Mr Martin warned that the arrival of vaccines was “not the moment to relax” but rather it was the time “to double down” on efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.
This week’s meetings will “work out the exit from Level 5 at the end of this month” which is the Government’s target and objective, he said.
Super-spreader events
Asked about the Government’s deliberations on how to exit the lockdown on December 1st, Mr Martin said it had looked at how the virus spread in August, September and October.
“Super-spreader events” such as gatherings and congregation including events with alcohol have been shown to spread of the virus, he said.
“Ultimately vigilance is key, human behaviour is key,” he said. “What has emerged the restriction of visitors to households seems to have had an impact so we need to bear that in mind as we move through December.”
He acknowledged restrictions on visiting had been “very hard for people.”
“The good news is what you are doing is working. We are managing our hospitals in terms of ICU numbers, in terms of hospitalisation. We have kept our schools open,” he said.
The Taoiseach said the initial strategy of Level 3 restrictions on household mixing followed by Level 5 restrictions “did work and has worked.”
“There has been a narrative around this that I don’t think has been helpful or accurate. It has worked. We brought the numbers well down,” he said.
“Do we want to go lower? Of course we do and we have got another week to get the numbers down.”
Mr Martin also said he expected RTE's executives to appear before the Oireachtas media committee to discuss Covid-19 social distancing breaches by high-profile presenters at a retirement event.
This would be “the required follow-through,” he said. He repeated his view that the flouting of the guidelines had been “very disappointing” but acknowledged that there have been “genuine apologies from all concerned.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--Robin Swann pleads for unity ahead of new NI Covid-19 restrictions

The North ’ s Minister for Health Robin Swann has made a “ heartfelt plea for unity ” in the Northern Ireland Assembly ahead of tough new coronavirus restrictions coming into force on Friday .
“ The public are watching and are looking to us for united leadership , ” he told MLAs on Monday .
Mr Swann said while it is the duty of the chamber to hold the Executive to account and scrutinise policy decisions , he urged against a descent into “ political point-scoring ” .
“ The last few weeks have not seen devolution at its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understatement , ” he said .
“ Frustration and anger are widespread .
We could spend hours in this chamber raking over the decisions that were made and not made .
“ I have made my own views known inside and outside the Executive .
“ Nevertheless , I fail to see where another bout of division and recrimination will get us now.
” Mr Swann urged all MLAs to promote public health guidance in an effort to ensure the new restrictions work in driving down the transmission of the virus .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their heroic staff some vital breathing space , ” he said .
“ If we successfully drive down infection rates , we have the opportunity of a better Christmas .
“ It won ’ t be a normal festive season by any means but we all have the power to help change the atmosphere .
“ We can do that by abiding by the new restrictions and strictly following public health advice .
“ I would urge all members to promote public health messaging at every opportunity .
Please do not undermine it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside and outside this House , today and in coming days and weeks.
” Mr Swann defended the decision of the Executive to back the new restrictions , saying without a decisive intervention the hospital system “ would be at risk of becoming overwhelmed ” in mid to late December .
“ The reality is that , given our current position and the rates of transmission , there was no feasible alternative , ” he told MLAs .
Turning to mass testing , Mr Swann said it would require a “ very high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ huge logistical challenges ” .
He said both Slovakia and Liverpool required military logistical support to deliver their programmes .
“ It remains unclear whether the required number of tests would be available to us in Northern Ireland , ” he said .
“ I have written to the Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock to request four million rapid lateral flow device tests for Northern Ireland.
” – PA

People queue outside a Smyths Toys shop in Belfast as frustration has been expressed over the announcement that non-essential retail, pubs and restaurants must close for two weeks from November 27th under the latest plan to stem the spread of coronavirus. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
The North's minister for finance Conor Murphy has announced a £300 million Covid-19 support package that includes a £200 voucher for every household in Northern Ireland to be spent in local shops.
The funding announcement was made on a day when it appeared that the recently concluded four-week lockdown was having an effect on the coronavirus figures in the North.
The North’s health department reported three more deaths and 280 new confirmed cases of coronavirus. A week ago the department reported 14 deaths and 331 new cases.
Mr Murphy said that the funding involves more than £200 million for businesses and £98 million to assist the most vulnerable.
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“This includes £95 million for a high street voucher scheme for a pre-paid card for use on the high street,” the Mr Murphy told Northern Assembly members on Monday afternoon.
Mr Murphy said that it would be up to the Department for the Economy to administer the voucher scheme but it was expected that each household in the North would receive a £200 voucher.
He explained however that this scheme was not likely to come on stream until the new year and was designed to support businesses during the “leanest” months.
Pre-Christmas lockdown
The new allocation was agreed at a meeting of the Northern Executive on Monday. The Minister said the funding came from a £400 million allocation from the British treasury two weeks ago.
It also comes ahead of a new two-week pre-Christmas lockdown that begins on Friday and will see the shutdown of non-essential retail businesses.
Wet pubs – those that don’t serve food – will receive £10.6 million. This will assist about 1,000 licensed premises, said Mr Murphy.
Mr Murphy allocated £55 million to extend a support scheme for sectors that were forced to close such as non-essential retail, leisure and entertainment businesses.
He is also providing £20 million for company directors, a group that was excluded from previous support.
Mr Murphy also said he plans to hold an additional £150 million in reserve to extend the current business rates relief scheme. He told MLAs, “In addition to this £213 million for business, and recognising Covid will continue to be with us for the months to come, the Executive has also agreed to hold £150 million centrally for longer-term support on business rates.”
The new funding also will mean £4.1 million for bed and breakfasts which previously missed out on business support because they pay domestic rates.
Mr Murphy further announced £98 million to support education, councils, sport and to protect the vulnerable. He said that “£44.3 million is being provided to fund a one-off £200 heating payment for those with disabilities who are on higher disability benefits and older people in receipt of pension credit”.
He said £26.4 million was being allocated to support schools. This included funding to “ensure families of young people who are entitled to free school meals will receive food grants during school holidays”.
Incidence rate reduction
On Monday three more deaths were recorded taking the death toll in Northern Ireland to 936. There were 280 new cases bringing the total to 50,064 since the start of the pandemic.
The overall 7-day Covid figure for Northern Ireland is 157 cases per 100,000 of population. A week ago it was 204 cases per 100,000.
While the deaths and incidence rate has reduced it is clear from the figures that there is still great pressure on hospitals. Bed occupancy is at 95 per cent while there are 438 patients receiving Covid treatment in Northern Ireland hospitals. Of these 37 are in intensive care units with 30 on ventilators.
Meanwhile, the PSNI said that all operational police officers in Northern Ireland are to be issued with spit and bite guards for the duration of the pandemic.
Anyone receiving them must complete mandatory online training. Officers must activate body-worn video and every use must be notified to the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.
Amnesty Northern Ireland’s director Patrick Corrigan criticised the use of spit guards, saying that “placing a hood over someone’s head is a significant use of force and one that raises key concerns over cruel and degrading treatment, as well as serious potential health risks”.
Robin Swann: “I fail to see where another bout of division and recrimination will get us now”. Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA
‘Plea for unity’
Earlier on Monday, the North's minister for health Robin Swann made a "heartfelt plea for unity" in the Northern Ireland Assembly ahead of tough new coronavirus restrictions coming into force on Friday.
“The public are watching and are looking to us for united leadership,” he told MLAs on Monday.
Mr Swann said while it is the duty of the chamber to hold the Executive to account and scrutinise policy decisions, he urged against a descent into “political point-scoring”.
“The last few weeks have not seen devolution at its best. That is something of an understatement,” he said.
“Frustration and anger are widespread. We could spend hours in this chamber raking over the decisions that were made and not made.
“I have made my own views known inside and outside the Executive.
“Nevertheless, I fail to see where another bout of division and recrimination will get us now.” – Additional reporting PA


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--Civil cases filed against Terenure College over past child abuse

A number of men who were sexually abused as children by a former Terenure College teacher and rugby coach are taking civil cases against the south Dublin fee-paying school .
Earlier this month , John McClean ( 75 ) , of Casimir Avenue , Harold ’ s Cross , pleaded guilty to 27 charges of indecent assault .
The charges related to the sexual abuse of 23 schoolboys at Terenure College in the 1970s and 1980s .
In the weeks since the guilty plea , three civil cases have been filed in the High Court against McClean , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follows two previous civil cases filed against McClean and the school late last year .
The secondary school is run by the Carmelite Order , which is also listed as defendants in a number of the legal cases .
McClean was due to stand trial on November 2nd at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court , but entered pleas of guilty before the court .
Judge Pauline Codd remanded him on continuing bail until March 9th , when the evidence in the case will be outlined in a two-day sentencing hearing .
A number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to read out victim impact statements to the court during that hearing .
Several of the victims were present in court to hear McClean enter a guilty plea to the charges , while a number of others watched the court proceedings online .
In a statement following McClean ’ s guilty plea , Terenure College said it was “ sincerely sorry ” for the “ breach of trust and for the pain and suffering those affected by the abuse endured ” .
The school and the Carmelite Order apologised “ unreservedly to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while under our care in our school.
” The statement acknowledged that “ innocent children were profoundly harmed ” .
“ As school management and Carmelites , we acknowledge and deeply regret that we failed these children entrusted to our care .
We are committed to providing effective and meaningful support to former pupils who are victims and survivors of abuse , ” the statement said .
McClean had been an English and drama teacher , who also coached rugby , and worked in Terenure College for a number of decades , before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University College Dublin in the 1990s .

A number of men who were sexually abused as children by a former Terenure College teacher and rugby coach are taking civil cases against the south Dublin fee-paying school.
Earlier this month, John McClean (75), of Casimir Avenue, Harold's Cross, pleaded guilty to 27 charges of indecent assault. The charges related to the sexual abuse of 23 schoolboys at Terenure College in the 1970s and 1980s.
In the weeks since the guilty plea, three civil cases have been filed in the High Court against McClean, and the Terenure College board of management.
This follows two previous civil cases filed against McClean and the school late last year. The secondary school is run by the Carmelite Order, which is also listed as defendants in a number of the legal cases.
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McClean was due to stand trial on November 2nd at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, but entered pleas of guilty before the court.
Judge Pauline Codd remanded him on continuing bail until March 9th, when the evidence in the case will be outlined in a two-day sentencing hearing. A number of the 23 complainants are also expected to read out victim impact statements to the court during that hearing.
Several of the victims were present in court to hear McClean enter a guilty plea to the charges, while a number of others watched the court proceedings online.
In a statement following McClean’s guilty plea, Terenure College said it was “sincerely sorry” for the “breach of trust and for the pain and suffering those affected by the abuse endured”.
The school and the Carmelite Order apologised “unreservedly to the victims and survivors of abuse who suffered while under our care in our school.”
The statement acknowledged that “innocent children were profoundly harmed”.
“As school management and Carmelites, we acknowledge and deeply regret that we failed these children entrusted to our care. We are committed to providing effective and meaningful support to former pupils who are victims and survivors of abuse,” the statement said.
McClean had been an English and drama teacher, who also coached rugby, and worked in Terenure College for a number of decades, before taking up a rugby coaching position in University College Dublin in the 1990s.


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--Man (20s) stabbed number of times in Swords assault

A man in his early 20s was believed to be stabbed several times in an assault in Swords , Co @ @ @ @ @ gardaí have said .
The assault occurred at about 8.10pm in the Rivervalley area .
@ @ @ @ @ Beaumont Hospital with minor injuries .
A Garda spokesman said no arrests have been made @ @ @ @ @ ongoing .

A Garda spokesman said no arrests have been made to date and investigations are ongoing.
A man in his early 20s was believed to be stabbed several times in an assault in Swords, Co Dublin on Sunday evening, gardaí have said.
The assault occurred at about 8.10pm in the Rivervalley area.
The man was taken to Beaumont Hospital with minor injuries.
A Garda spokesman said no arrests have been made to date and investigations are ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--December trading is like a ‘life buoy’, hospitality sector says

The December trading period is like a “ life buoy ” for hospitality businesses , representatives have said , as they called on the Government to allow the sector to “ reopen as fully as possible ” after Level 5 restrictions The Government is entering a pivotal week as it works to finalise a plan for exiting the lockdown from December 1st .
It is expected the restrictions will be lifted in two stages , starting next week with a further reopening before Christmas if infection numbers do not increase significantly .
The leaders of the three Coalition parties will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting is expected later this week to agree the plan for exiting the lockdown .
Almost 500 hospitality and events firms have written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin calling for the sector to be reopened from December 2nd .
Tim Fenn , chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation , said hotels are proven to provide safe , controlled environments .
“ Hotels can help to ensure a safer reopening thereby minimising the risk of increased infection rates .
Public health is the number one priority for hotels , and this is reflected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show that hotels have been associated with very few clusters ( 0.14 per cent ) since March , ” he said .
“ People still expect to be able to celebrate the festive season in a meaningful way .
Overly complicated or onerous restrictions could be counterproductive , and increase , rather than reduce the risk from Covid-19 , ” he added .
Mr Fenn said the federation is urging the Government to “ recognise the important role hotels can play ” .
“ This five week trading period around Christmas can act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustaining many hotels for the early few months of next year.
” The chief executive of the Vintners ’ Federation of Ireland ( VFI ) Padraig Cribben claimed that opening all pubs for Christmas would be safer as it would mean fewer unregulated house parties .
He said there should be no distinction between “ wet ” pubs and those which serve food , because having all pubs open would “ spread the load ” .
The numbers allowed into any premises should be based on the capacity of the venue for social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not open because of their size or if there were vulnerable family members , he told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland .
“ People are going to socialise .
The Government needs to ask is it better to have them in a controlled environment or in a domestic setting where there ’ s very little social distancing and no wearing of masks , ” he added .
Adrian Cummins , chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland , warned there could be a “ collapse ” of the restaurant industry in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open for December .
He said about 30 per cent of the sector ’ s annual income comes from December trading .
Meanwhile , infectious diseases consultant Dr Clíona Ní Cheallaigh has advised against pubs and restaurants opening while levels of community transmission of Covid-19 remain high .
“ You can ’ t eat and drink and wear a mask at the same time , ” she told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
Not wearing a mask in an indoor setting meant the virus could be transmitted .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant sites ” of the spread of the virus , she said .
The levels of the virus in the community needed to be far lower than the current levels before they could open .
“ I can ’ t see it being safe in December .
”

Publicans say it is better to have people in pubs than attending house parties. Photograph: iStock
The December trading period is like a “life buoy” for hospitality businesses, representatives have said, as they called on the Government to allow the sector to “reopen as fully as possible” after Level 5 restrictions
The Government is entering a pivotal week as it works to finalise a plan for exiting the lockdown from December 1st.
It is expected the restrictions will be lifted in two stages, starting next week with a further reopening before Christmas if infection numbers do not increase significantly.
The leaders of the three Coalition parties will meet on Monday. A special Cabinet meeting is expected later this week to agree the plan for exiting the lockdown.
READ MORE
Almost 500 hospitality and events firms have written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin calling for the sector to be reopened from December 2nd.
Tim Fenn, chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, said hotels are proven to provide safe, controlled environments.
“Hotels can help to ensure a safer reopening thereby minimising the risk of increased infection rates. Public health is the number one priority for hotels, and this is reflected in the statistics from the HPSC, which show that hotels have been associated with very few clusters (0.14 per cent) since March,” he said.
“People still expect to be able to celebrate the festive season in a meaningful way. Overly complicated or onerous restrictions could be counterproductive, and increase, rather than reduce the risk from Covid-19,” he added.
Mr Fenn said the federation is urging the Government to “recognise the important role hotels can play”.
“ This five week trading period around Christmas can act as a life buoy in terms of sustaining many hotels for the early few months of next year.”
The chief executive of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) Padraig Cribben claimed that opening all pubs for Christmas would be safer as it would mean fewer unregulated house parties.
He said there should be no distinction between “wet” pubs and those which serve food, because having all pubs open would “spread the load”.
The numbers allowed into any premises should be based on the capacity of the venue for social distancing, he added. Some premises would not open because of their size or if there were vulnerable family members, he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
“People are going to socialise. The Government needs to ask is it better to have them in a controlled environment or in a domestic setting where there’s very little social distancing and no wearing of masks,” he added.
Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, warned there could be a "collapse" of the restaurant industry in January, if it is not allowed to open for December.
He said about 30 per cent of the sector’s annual income comes from December trading.
Meanwhile, infectious diseases consultant Dr Clíona Ní Cheallaigh has advised against pubs and restaurants opening while levels of community transmission of Covid-19 remain high.
"You can't eat and drink and wear a mask at the same time," she told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland. Not wearing a mask in an indoor setting meant the virus could be transmitted.
There was evidence that restaurants and pubs were “significant sites” of the spread of the virus, she said. The levels of the virus in the community needed to be far lower than the current levels before they could open.
“I can’t see it being safe in December.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--RTÉ must explain how event was organised, committee chair says

The chair of the joint Oireachtas committee on Media and Culture has said it was important to have RTÉ management to explain how a retirement party was organised during Level 5 restrictions .
Broadcasters including Bryan Dobson , Miriam O ’ Callaghan , Eileen Dunne and David McCullagh have apologised for not practicing social distancing after they were photographed standing next to a retiring staff member .
The photographs were posted on a website for retired RTÉ staff last week .
While their apologies had been fulsome , committee chair Niamh Smyth said she did not accept the event had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear before the committee to explain how it was organised .
Gardaí are examining how the gathering on RTÉ ’ s Donnybrook campus was organised .
The incident was of “ huge concern ” , the Fianna Fáil TD told RTÉ radio ’ s Today with Claire Byrne show , adding that the Oireachtas committee had a responsibility to request answers .
It had been obvious from the photographs that social distancing had not been adhered to and the committee wanted RTÉ management to give a full explanation about how the event occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she was concerned about the message that was being given to the public about social distancing .
The public was expected to miss out on important events , people were “ pulling together ” to make “ absolutely every effort ” and then to “ see this from RTÉ ” was disappointing .
Part of the problem was that RTÉ had been very slow to give clarity and nobody was willing to come forward ” , she said .
“ We want answers and we expect a forthright statement from RTÉ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Level 5 lockdown .
This was an indoor social gathering .
There are very strict guidelines to follow .
“ I accept that we ’ re all human and can have lapses in judgement.
” Earlier , a Fianna Fáil senator has said the Oireachtas Media and Culture committee was not “ looking for heads on stakes ” over the controversy .
Senator Malcolm Byrne , a committee member , said an invitation was likely to be extended to the director general of RTÉ Dee Forbes , following a meeting of the committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RTÉ was committed to the public health guidelines and learned from their mistake , he told told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
The public needed the reassurance that the same rules applied to the national broadcaster , he added .
The onus was on RTÉ management to provide clarity over what had happened , he said .
“ It was wrong , it shouldn ’ t have happened.
” While the apologies from the presenters who had been photographed had been sincere , he said , RTÉ needed to reassure people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Part of the problem is that RTÉ has not come out and explained what happened .
If this had involved someone in politics and someone was not available to comment , RTÉ would be all over it , ” he said , referring to the fact that Morning Ireland had sought an RTÉ spokesperson for comment , but that was told that none was available .

RTE news journalists David McCullagh and Eileen Dunne apologised live on air from the 6 and 9pm new bulletins on the channel for breaching public health guidelines at a recent gathering on the RTE campus in Donnybrook. Video: RTE News
RTÉ representatives met gardaí on Monday in relation to an inquiry into a recent retirement gathering amid Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. Gardaí are examining how the gathering on RTÉ's Donnybrook campus was organised.
Broadcasters including Bryan Dobson, Miriam O'Callaghan, Eileen Dunne and David McCullagh have apologised for not practising social distancing after they were photographed standing next to a retiring staff member. The photographs were posted on a website for retired RTÉ staff last week.
The chairwoman of the board of RTE, Moya Doherty, said the failure to adhere to "proper social distancing procedures" at the recent gathering in RTE is "a matter of serious concern" for the board.
Ms Doherty said she has asked for an update on the matter this week and “the board will address the matter in full at its meeting next week”.
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“As has been already acknowledged by the individuals present, there is an onus on all of us in RTÉ to be both above reproach and to lead by example at this time of exceptional national challenge,” Ms Doherty said in a statement on Monday.
Eimear Cusack, director of human resources at RTÉ, said "we are very aware of the impact created by the photos which have appeared across Irish media over the last few days".
“Those involved have rightly apologised. We are all extremely disappointed and frustrated with what has happened, but it is important that we understand what occurred and learn from it,” Ms Cusack said in a statement on Monday.
"There is a full health and safety review in progress. In addition, RTÉ representatives met with An Garda Síochána today in respect of their enquiry. While this enquiry is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.
"RTÉ has always accepted invitations to appear before Oireachtas committees and will of course, if requested, do so on this occasion."
Earlier the chair of the joint Oireachtas committee on Media and Culture has said it was important to have RTÉ management come before the committee to explain how the retirement gathering was organised during Level 5 restrictions.
While their apologies had been fulsome, committee chair Niamh Smyth said she did not accept the event had been impromptu and RTÉ would have to explain how it was organised.
The incident was of "huge concern", the Fianna Fáil TD told RTÉ radio's Today with Claire Byrne show, adding that the Oireachtas committee had a responsibility to request answers.
It had been obvious from the photographs that social distancing had not been adhered to and the committee wanted RTÉ management to give a full explanation about how the event occurred in the first place, she said.
Pulling together
Ms Smyth said she was concerned about the message that was being given to the public about social distancing. The public was expected to miss out on important events, people were “pulling together” to make “absolutely every effort” and then to “see this from RTÉ” was disappointing.
Part of the problem was that RTÉ had been very slow to give clarity and nobody was willing to come forward”, she said.
“We want answers and we expect a forthright statement from RTÉ. Who organised it? We are in Level 5 lockdown. This was an indoor social gathering. There are very strict guidelines to follow.
“I accept that we’re all human and can have lapses in judgement.”
Earlier, a Fianna Fáil senator said the Oireachtas Media and Culture committee was not “looking for heads on stakes ” over the controversy.
Senator Malcolm Byrne, a committee member, said an invitation was likely to be extended to the director general of RTÉ Dee Forbes, following a meeting of the committee on Wednesday.
It was important that RTÉ was committed to the public health guidelines and learned from their mistake, he told told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland. The public needed the reassurance that the same rules applied to the national broadcaster, he added.
The onus was on RTÉ management to provide clarity over what had happened, he said. “It was wrong, it shouldn’t have happened.”
While the apologies from the presenters who had been photographed had been sincere, he said, RTÉ needed to reassure people that the problem was being reviewed.
“Part of the problem is that RTÉ has not come out and explained what happened. If this had involved someone in politics and someone was not available to comment, RTÉ would be all over it,” he said, referring to the fact that Morning Ireland had sought an RTÉ spokesperson for comment, but that was told that none was available.


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--The Big G can help buy our way out of this crisis

In the mid-1970s the Irish Goods Council rolled out a Buy Irish initiative with a view to encouraging people to shop locally .
The Big G started appearing on everything from cream to copy books .
While it was an enduring symbol in the late 1970s , by the middle of the next decade things had changed dramatically .
As a result of a 1984 ruling by the European Court of Justice which declared that individual countries were no longer able to promote their own products as being better than those produced elsewhere within the European Union – or what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scheme fell out of government control .
Guaranteed Irish did not die though .
Instead , it became a not-for-profit organisation but for many years its label was largely ignored by the buying public as an anachronistic throwback to times past .
But with the economic crash of a decade or so ago , the Big G saw something of a resurgence and it has continued to grow in relevance over recent years .
It has rarely been as important as it is today .
While some of the products that carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasions – can a tea really be Irish ?
– the rules are clear .
To carry the Guaranteed Irish symbol businesses must “ provide quality jobs including fair working conditions , professional development and long-term employment ” in Ireland .
They must have “ a positive impact on local communities and [ be ] part of the fabric of Irish society ” .
Companies must also have “ a physical presence in Ireland and add value to its product or service here ” .
Brid O ’ Connell is chief executive of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has rarely mattered as much to Irish consumers as it does now with people looking to use whatever money they have to support local businesses .
She says that as many as two-thirds of Irish consumers have chosen to shop with Irish small businesses to support them through the Covid-19 crisis and she points to research carried out early this year – in pre-Covid times – which found that 92 per cent of people associated buying locally with sustainability .
“ I think people are starting to realise more and more that when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many birds with the one stone , ” she says .
“ You are supporting jobs and doing less damage to the environment and you are helping the local community and giving yourself a real feel-good factor too.
” Further research has also shown that 53 per cent of shoppers here reckon they have done more shopping with Irish companies than foreign retailers since pre-crisis times , according to O ’ Connell .
“ The crisis has focused the minds of people in Ireland and I think so many of them really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help struggling businesses and to support the local economy.
” That does not mean everything is perfect , particularly in the online space .
“ Irish retailers have definitely got better but there is long way to go , ” she says .
“ A lot of Irish businesses are really good at Instagram or Pinterest and have lovely images of their stock on social but we have to focus on the ecommerce piece and how businesses can market themselves .
“ They have leapfrogged several years in some cases for sure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online was the only revenue stream , but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.
” To make shopping easier for people , the umbrella group has recently set up a website – GuaranteedIrishGifts.ie – to connect shoppers with shops , and Guaranteed Irish has also set consumers a Christmas challenge .
It seems pretty straightforward .
They want people to buy just one gift from GuaranteedIrishGifts.ie .
“ If we all bought one gift from here instead of Amazon , it will have the effect of saving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy off Amazon again but we need to become a ‘ conscious consumer ’ and think how our money is being used.
” Over and over again O ’ Connell stresses the benefits of shopping locally and says that every €100 spent in Ireland can be worth as much as €500 to the local economy as the money is circulated widely closer to home rather than being sucked up in another jurisdiction .
She also stresses that – contrary to what many people think – prices for products on Irish sites are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseas businesses that can sometimes be unsustainable and unethical ” .
Irish websites are , she says , “ definitely more competitive than people think and can easily go toe to toe with big international players .
Having said that , if Alibaba is selling a dress or a complete outfit for a fiver , then a local business will not be able to compete with that , no one can compete with that but you have to look at where the products are sourced and what the quality is , you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuff that is available.
” She adds that quality and “ price per wear ” must be borne in mind when deciding to buy locally made clothes over “ cheap disposable , fast fashion ” .
“ Every nation in the world acknowledges that Irish is a premium label ; it ’ s a shame we don ’ t value it ourselves.
” But it is not all about consumers and O ’ Connell says retailers must do more to support their local suppliers and producers .
“ Irish local shops are crying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t stocking Irish products themselves in many cases , not all , but many cases ; they need to play their role too .
They are not going far enough.
” She wants all Irish local retailers “ to stock at least one Irish line/Irish producer – candles , jewellery , crafts , scarves , textiles , pottery , accessories , books , scents , beauty creams .
If we can ’ t see it , we can ’ t buy it .
Also , if the local retailer is asking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , help the maker , and start to sell products from local creators/ designers/ producers alongside their international brands .
We can co-exist comfortably.
” O ’ Connell says buying Irish is not entirely an altruistic approach and from a purely selfish perspective , consumers will benefit too .
People have more rights than when they buy online from countries such as the US or China , for a start .
“ You can also buy brands with which you are familiar from stores that you know .
It will also be delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something , that can be done faster too .
And we have to remember that it is not all about Aran jumpers or the more traditional gifts any more , although they are great .
Irish businesses are also selling great tech , art , great food and amazing gifts .
”

In the mid-1970s the Irish Goods Council rolled out a Buy Irish initiative with a view to encouraging people to shop locally. The Big G started appearing on everything from cream to copy books. While it was an enduring symbol in the late 1970s, by the middle of the next decade things had changed dramatically.
As a result of a 1984 ruling by the European Court of Justice which declared that individual countries were no longer able to promote their own products as being better than those produced elsewhere within the European Union – or what was then known as the EEC – the scheme fell out of government control.
Guaranteed Irish did not die though. Instead, it became a not-for-profit organisation but for many years its label was largely ignored by the buying public as an anachronistic throwback to times past. But with the economic crash of a decade or so ago, the Big G saw something of a resurgence and it has continued to grow in relevance over recent years.
It has rarely been as important as it is today.
READ MORE
While some of the products that carry the logo may raise an eyebrow on occasions – can a tea really be Irish? – the rules are clear. To carry the Guaranteed Irish symbol businesses must "provide quality jobs including fair working conditions, professional development and long-term employment" in Ireland. They must have "a positive impact on local communities and [be] part of the fabric of Irish society". Companies must also have "a physical presence in Ireland and add value to its product or service here".
Brid O’Connell is chief executive of Guaranteed Irish and she says buying Irish has rarely mattered as much to Irish consumers as it does now with people looking to use whatever money they have to support local businesses.
She says that as many as two-thirds of Irish consumers have chosen to shop with Irish small businesses to support them through the Covid-19 crisis and she points to research carried out early this year – in pre-Covid times – which found that 92 per cent of people associated buying locally with sustainability.
“I think people are starting to realise more and more that when you shop locally, you are killing so many birds with the one stone,” she says. “You are supporting jobs and doing less damage to the environment and you are helping the local community and giving yourself a real feel-good factor too.”
Further research has also shown that 53 per cent of shoppers here reckon they have done more shopping with Irish companies than foreign retailers since pre-crisis times, according to O’Connell. “The crisis has focused the minds of people in Ireland and I think so many of them really want to do what they can to help struggling businesses and to support the local economy.”
That does not mean everything is perfect, particularly in the online space.
“Irish retailers have definitely got better but there is long way to go,” she says. “A lot of Irish businesses are really good at Instagram or Pinterest and have lovely images of their stock on social but we have to focus on the ecommerce piece and how businesses can market themselves.
If we all bought one gift from here instead of Amazon, it will have the effect of saving jobs
“They have leapfrogged several years in some cases for sure, because they had to as during lockdown online was the only revenue stream, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.”
To make shopping easier for people, the umbrella group has recently set up a website – GuaranteedIrishGifts.ie – to connect shoppers with shops, and Guaranteed Irish has also set consumers a Christmas challenge. It seems pretty straightforward. They want people to buy just one gift from GuaranteedIrishGifts.ie. "If we all bought one gift from here instead of Amazon, it will have the effect of saving jobs. No one is saying never buy off Amazon again but we need to become a 'conscious consumer' and think how our money is being used."
Over and over again O’Connell stresses the benefits of shopping locally and says that every €100 spent in Ireland can be worth as much as €500 to the local economy as the money is circulated widely closer to home rather than being sucked up in another jurisdiction.
She also stresses that – contrary to what many people think – prices for products on Irish sites are “competitive with overseas products, save for overseas businesses that can sometimes be unsustainable and unethical”.
Every nation in the world acknowledges that Irish is a premium label; it's a shame we don't value it ourselves
Irish websites are, she says, “definitely more competitive than people think and can easily go toe to toe with big international players. Having said that, if Alibaba is selling a dress or a complete outfit for a fiver, then a local business will not be able to compete with that, no one can compete with that but you have to look at where the products are sourced and what the quality is, you have to ask questions about the very cheap stuff that is available.”
She adds that quality and “price per wear” must be borne in mind when deciding to buy locally made clothes over “cheap disposable, fast fashion”.
“Every nation in the world acknowledges that Irish is a premium label; it’s a shame we don’t value it ourselves.”
But it is not all about consumers and O’Connell says retailers must do more to support their local suppliers and producers. “Irish local shops are crying out for help, yet they aren’t stocking Irish products themselves in many cases, not all, but many cases; they need to play their role too. They are not going far enough.”
She wants all Irish local retailers “to stock at least one Irish line/Irish producer – candles, jewellery, crafts, scarves, textiles, pottery, accessories, books, scents, beauty creams. If we can’t see it, we can’t buy it. Also, if the local retailer is asking for help, perhaps they, in turn, help the maker, and start to sell products from local creators/ designers/ producers alongside their international brands. We can co-exist comfortably.”
O'Connell says buying Irish is not entirely an altruistic approach and from a purely selfish perspective, consumers will benefit too. People have more rights than when they buy online from countries such as the US or China, for a start.
“You can also buy brands with which you are familiar from stores that you know. It will also be delivered faster and if you have to return something, that can be done faster too. And we have to remember that it is not all about Aran jumpers or the more traditional gifts any more, although they are great. Irish businesses are also selling great tech, art, great food and amazing gifts.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--Covid-19: Level 5 restrictions likely to be eased in two stages, as planning to roll-out vaccine beg

Covid-19: Level 5 restrictions likely to be eased in two stages, as planning to roll-out vaccine begins

The group tasked with rolling out a Covid-19 vaccine in Ireland will meet on Monday for the first time amid growing hopes a working vaccine will be available within weeks .
The Government task force is expected to draft in business and project management experts to help ensure a speedy distribution of the first vaccines that become available .
Regulatory approval for a vaccine could be issued in the US as early as mid-December after the first application for emergency use authorisation was made in recent days .
A decision by European regulatory bodies on the application by pharmaceutical giant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to follow next month .
Task force chairman Prof Brian MacCraith has promised the group will develop a strategy to inoculate the population “ urgently and comprehensively ” .
The Government faces an intense week of decision-making as it finalises a plan for exiting the lockdown next week and managing the pandemic over the Christmas period and beyond .
Although final decisions have yet to be made , it is now expected that the reopening of social and commercial life will be in two stages , with a cautious lifting of some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers of new infections does not rise significantly in the coming weeks – a further reopening in advance of Christmas .
The number of new infections fell again last night as the sudden rise in daily cases that had alarmed public health officials last week abated in recent days .
With 318 new cases reported last night , the trend is again downwards .
The seven-day moving average is now 375 , the lowest level since the start of October .
The decline in case numbers will give the Government encouragement as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifting restrictions but , with no prospect now of daily case numbers falling to the target of 50-100 that was set by public health officials , the National Public Health Emergency Team is likely to urge extreme caution for the Christmas period .
The options will be discussed when the Cabinet meets on Tuesday , which is due to be followed by a Cabinet subcommittee meeting on Tuesday evening .
That meeting is expected to be attended by senior Nphet figures , including chief medical officer Tony Holohan and HSE chief Paul Reid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties are likely to discuss the issue when they have a regular pre-Cabinet meeting this evening .
A special Cabinet meeting is expected later this week , probably Friday , to agree the plan for exiting the lockdown .
A major issue to be resolved over the coming days will be situation regarding the hospitality industry .
While decisions have not yet been made , it is thought unlikely that so-called wet pubs – which do not serve food – will be allowed to open .
The fate of restaurants and pubs that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the balance .
If they are permitted to open , it is hoped that they can remain open rather than face closing again in January .
There will be intensive lobbying of Ministers and TDs over the coming days by hospitality industry representatives .
In an open letter sent to Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Sunday , more than 470 hospitality and events firms argued for their sector to be reopened , and said there was “ no clear evidence for the sector to be treated disproportionately with regards decisions to open or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy ” .

The group tasked with rolling out a Covid-19 vaccine in Ireland will meet on Monday for the first time amid growing hopes a working vaccine will be available within weeks.
The Government task force is expected to draft in business and project management experts to help ensure a speedy distribution of the first vaccines that become available.
Regulatory approval for a vaccine could be issued in the US as early as mid-December after the first application for emergency use authorisation was made in recent days. A decision by European regulatory bodies on the application by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and a German research partner is expected to follow next month.
Hospital Report
Task force chairman Prof Brian MacCraith has promised the group will develop a strategy to inoculate the population “urgently and comprehensively”.
READ MORE
The Government faces an intense week of decision-making as it finalises a plan for exiting the lockdown next week and managing the pandemic over the Christmas period and beyond.
Two stages
Although final decisions have yet to be made, it is now expected that the reopening of social and commercial life will be in two stages, with a cautious lifting of some restrictions next week, and – if the numbers of new infections does not rise significantly in the coming weeks – a further reopening in advance of Christmas.
The number of new infections fell again last night as the sudden rise in daily cases that had alarmed public health officials last week abated in recent days.
With 318 new cases reported last night, the trend is again downwards. The seven-day moving average is now 375, the lowest level since the start of October.
The decline in case numbers will give the Government encouragement as it decides in the coming days on lifting restrictions but, with no prospect now of daily case numbers falling to the target of 50-100 that was set by public health officials, the National Public Health Emergency Team is likely to urge extreme caution for the Christmas period.
The options will be discussed when the Cabinet meets on Tuesday, which is due to be followed by a Cabinet subcommittee meeting on Tuesday evening. That meeting is expected to be attended by senior Nphet figures, including chief medical officer Tony Holohan and HSE chief Paul Reid.
Hospitality pressure
The leaders of the three Coalition parties are likely to discuss the issue when they have a regular pre-Cabinet meeting this evening.
A special Cabinet meeting is expected later this week, probably Friday, to agree the plan for exiting the lockdown.
A major issue to be resolved over the coming days will be situation regarding the hospitality industry. While decisions have not yet been made, it is thought unlikely that so-called wet pubs – which do not serve food – will be allowed to open. The fate of restaurants and pubs that serve food is a decision that hangs in the balance. If they are permitted to open, it is hoped that they can remain open rather than face closing again in January.
There will be intensive lobbying of Ministers and TDs over the coming days by hospitality industry representatives. In an open letter sent to Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Sunday, more than 470 hospitality and events firms argued for their sector to be reopened, and said there was “no clear evidence for the sector to be treated disproportionately with regards decisions to open or close, compared with other parts of the economy”.


theirishtimes--2020-11-23--Dublin homelessness services to cost €213m next year

The cost of providing homeless services in Dublin is expected to reach €213 million next year , an increase of more than €150 million since the crisis hit six years ago .
Dublin City Council is raising its budget for emergency accommodation and other services for homeless people by more than €22 million next year .
Spending on homeless services is the largest single element of the council ’ s €1.079 billion budget for 2021 , which will be presented to councillors this week .
The council ’ s 2015 budget for homelessness represented a substantial boost in funding after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with an increase from €45.8 million to €59.2 million .
The additional money was designed to address a sudden rise in homeless numbers , and an emerging trend of families presenting as homeless .
However , this proved insufficient , and by the end of 2015 more than €70 million had been spent , largely providing rooms in hostels and hotels .
In an attempt to resolve the problem , the council upped its budget for the following year to more than €91 million , but again this was not enough and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
The 2017 budget was €119 million – representing almost 15 per cent of the entire budget for running the city .
Again this proved inadequate , and by the end of the year €134 million had been spent .
Funding for homeless services for 2018 was set at €142 million , and €150 million in 2019 , but the largest increase was for this year , with a budget of €190 million .
However , the council projects that , due to additional costs , partially linked to the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services , the final tally for 2020 will top €200 million for the first time .
Total losses and costs to the council ’ s revenues directly due to the pandemic are expected to exceed €33 million next year .
By the end of this year the pandemic will have hit the council ’ s coffers to the tune of just under €42 million .
The council is not expecting a rapid turnaround in its fortunes in 2021 , with costs associated with managing the pandemic in the city projected to exceed €11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely due to a the reduction in business activity in the city , both office and retail – to reach almost €22 million .
The largest losses are expected to be in parking meter collections , which are projected to drop by more than €12 million .
Tolls from the East Link bridge are expected to be down €1.9 million , leisure centre charges down almost €1.6 million , clamping charges €1 million and planning application fees down €500,000 .
Council chief executive Owen Keegan said the pandemic was “ having a disproportionate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly the city centre .
“ The pandemic has also provided an extraordinary boost to remote working and encouraged the wholesale relocation of what were previously city centre-based employees to the detriment of its economy and a boost to online retail activity , again to the detriment of physical retail activity .
”

The Simon Community serving food and hot drinks to homeless people and rough sleepers on St Stephen’s Green in Dublin, 2017. Photograph: Dave Meehan
The cost of providing homeless services in Dublin is expected to reach €213 million next year, an increase of more than €150 million since the crisis hit six years ago.
Dublin City Council is raising its budget for emergency accommodation and other services for homeless people by more than €22 million next year. Spending on homeless services is the largest single element of the council's €1.079 billion budget for 2021, which will be presented to councillors this week.
The council’s 2015 budget for homelessness represented a substantial boost in funding after several years of cuts to the service, with an increase from €45.8 million to €59.2 million. The additional money was designed to address a sudden rise in homeless numbers, and an emerging trend of families presenting as homeless.
However, this proved insufficient, and by the end of 2015 more than €70 million had been spent, largely providing rooms in hostels and hotels.
READ MORE
In an attempt to resolve the problem, the council upped its budget for the following year to more than €91 million, but again this was not enough and the eventual spend for 2016 topped €103 million.
The 2017 budget was €119 million – representing almost 15 per cent of the entire budget for running the city. Again this proved inadequate, and by the end of the year €134 million had been spent. Funding for homeless services for 2018 was set at €142 million, and €150 million in 2019, but the largest increase was for this year, with a budget of €190 million.
However, the council projects that, due to additional costs, partially linked to the coronavirus pandemic, including the need to provide full-day services, the final tally for 2020 will top €200 million for the first time.
Council losses
Total losses and costs to the council’s revenues directly due to the pandemic are expected to exceed €33 million next year.
By the end of this year the pandemic will have hit the council’s coffers to the tune of just under €42 million. The council is not expecting a rapid turnaround in its fortunes in 2021, with costs associated with managing the pandemic in the city projected to exceed €11 million and the loss of income – largely due to a the reduction in business activity in the city, both office and retail – to reach almost €22 million.
The largest losses are expected to be in parking meter collections, which are projected to drop by more than €12 million. Tolls from the East Link bridge are expected to be down €1.9 million, leisure centre charges down almost €1.6 million, clamping charges €1 million and planning application fees down €500,000.
Council chief executive Owen Keegan said the pandemic was "having a disproportionate impact on the economy of Dublin", particularly the city centre.
“The pandemic has also provided an extraordinary boost to remote working and encouraged the wholesale relocation of what were previously city centre-based employees to the detriment of its economy and a boost to online retail activity, again to the detriment of physical retail activity.”