theirishtimes--2020-05-25--Modelling citizen: Prof Philip Nolan and the battle against Covid-19

Life is long .
As the Covid-19 pandemic has shown us , it ’ s full of unexpected obstacles .
And while we ’ ve all been thrown off-course by the virus , few have been swept out to sea as much as Leaving Cert students .
For Prof Philip Nolan , President of Maynooth University , life before Covid-19 was running along familiar lines .
He chaired the Irish Universities Association ’ s task group on reform of university selection and entry , which changed how the Leaving Cert was graded .
In his own institution , he introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and match subjects from very different areas , such as studying arts and science together .
He also strengthened research links between the various different research institutions at Maynooth and forged a path towards an interdisciplinary approach .
Covid-19 fundamentally changed Nolan ’ s day-to-day work .
The university , like all third-level institutions , had to close its doors while still trying to provide an education for its students .
Nolan ’ s particular expertise became vital for the entire national effort against the virus , as he chaired the National Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Modelling Advisory Group .
All that talk of flattening curves and R-rates ( the virus ’ s reproduction rate among the population ) became part of our everyday vocabulary .
Nolan was at the centre of it all .
“ As an academic , you sometimes wonder if the eclectic set of skills you built up will be of use to anyone , ” he says .
“ I originally trained in medicine and then became a medical researcher where my work involved handling large data sets .
Then I moved into leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stint as registrar in UCD ] .
“ Advising NPHET and the chief medical officer involves the medical understanding and being able to assimilate and extract meaning from complex data sets .
It also involves understanding how the public service and public health works .
Across the world , we are seeing how important it is to have a strong public sector , especially in a crisis.
” All of a sudden , a global pandemic had brought Nolan back to his original learning pathway .
“ Learning does not end with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
“ You build your skills and your capacity over a career of working and learning .
This pandemic has really highlighted the value of expertise : in Maynooth University and at NPHET , colleagues have been doing extraordinary jobs .
In the university , our academic and administration colleagues have been working hard to do their very best for students.
” This year , perhaps more than any other , the Leaving Cert has been to the forefront of the news headlines , with students , parents and teachers divided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether some form of continuous assessment could be carried out .
The CAO and college applications , however , are also weighing on students ’ minds .
But how can a student consider their future at a time of such global uncertainty .
With so many people having suffered so much stress and anxiety over the last few months , and when getting out of bed and getting dressed is a big achievement for many , how can we expect students to focus on the CAO Change of Mind ?
When so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day as it comes , how can students be expected to look ahead to their future college courses and careers ?
“ I think it is very difficult , ” Nolan says .
“ The short-term system is going to be generous and accommodating .
This is a very unusual circumstance for students ; while the switch to online has enabled some learning to happen , it falls far short of the actual educational experience .
The more disadvantaged students won ’ t do as well under this system , but the education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this and will adapt and change.
” That might be reassuring for some in the short-term , but how can students manage to focus on the long-term implications of their CAO choices ?
“ Try to set aside some time and space , ” says Nolan .
“ Get out for a walk and try to imagine a future where we are close to being back to normal .
What ’ s happening now is early of the lifetime of Leaving Cert students , but we hope it will be history when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be too influenced by the current circumstances when making their choices .
“ Put the short-term to one side .
In making a choice about what degree you do , you ’ re equipping yourself with the skills you may use for 50-60 years .
People are working well into their 70s these days , often in a voluntary capacity [ beyond retirement age ] .
The pandemic may last one or two years on and off , but there is a long life ahead of us all when we get through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abilities , he says .
“ A lot of people may be the first in their family or community to go to [ third level ] .
I personally lacked the confidence at times earlier in my life to say I could be good at this.
” Follow your interests , Nolan adds .
“ Don ’ t be guided by the world or the labour market now .
What you choose will stay with you for the rest of your life .
But different degrees – even apparently specialist ones like medicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in ways that can be applied in so many scenarios .
You often see engineers , for instance , in a wide variety of careers , and it comes back to how they learned to think in their engineering degree.
” Nolan , always a calm and reassuring presence , has become one of the country ’ s most prominent figures in recent months .
Just as Leaving Cert students have faced scrutiny and pressure , so has he .
How is he managing ?
“ Badly , ” he says , self-deprecating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times but I am doing my best to look after myself .
I have spent time with family on Zoom .
I ’ m exercising – indoors where lockdown applies – and taking time to write my diary and to read .
It has been really tough on everyone including older people isolating , people who have lost jobs and those who have had their education interrupted .
I ’ m really inspired by the ability , work ethic and dedication of the people around me in the university sector and at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us through this .
”

Life is long. As the Covid-19 pandemic has shown us, it’s full of unexpected obstacles. And while we’ve all been thrown off-course by the virus, few have been swept out to sea as much as Leaving Cert students.
For Prof Philip Nolan, President of Maynooth University, life before Covid-19 was running along familiar lines. He chaired the Irish Universities Association's task group on reform of university selection and entry, which changed how the Leaving Cert was graded. In his own institution, he introduced major changes that allowed students to mix and match subjects from very different areas, such as studying arts and science together. He also strengthened research links between the various different research institutions at Maynooth and forged a path towards an interdisciplinary approach.
Covid-19 fundamentally changed Nolan's day-to-day work. The university, like all third-level institutions, had to close its doors while still trying to provide an education for its students. Nolan's particular expertise became vital for the entire national effort against the virus, as he chaired the National Public Health Emergency Team's Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group. All that talk of flattening curves and R-rates (the virus's reproduction rate among the population) became part of our everyday vocabulary. Nolan was at the centre of it all.
Prof Philip Nolan at a Covid-19 update press conference at the Department of Health. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
“As an academic, you sometimes wonder if the eclectic set of skills you built up will be of use to anyone,” he says. “I originally trained in medicine and then became a medical researcher where my work involved handling large data sets. Then I moved into leadership and administration roles in university [including a stint as registrar in UCD].
READ MORE
“Advising NPHET and the chief medical officer involves the medical understanding and being able to assimilate and extract meaning from complex data sets. It also involves understanding how the public service and public health works. Across the world, we are seeing how important it is to have a strong public sector, especially in a crisis.”
All of a sudden, a global pandemic had brought Nolan back to his original learning pathway. “Learning does not end with your degree – it begins,” he says. “You build your skills and your capacity over a career of working and learning. This pandemic has really highlighted the value of expertise: in Maynooth University and at NPHET, colleagues have been doing extraordinary jobs. In the university, our academic and administration colleagues have been working hard to do their very best for students.”
This year, perhaps more than any other, the Leaving Cert has been to the forefront of the news headlines, with students, parents and teachers divided on whether it should go ahead or whether some form of continuous assessment could be carried out. The CAO and college applications, however, are also weighing on students' minds. But how can a student consider their future at a time of such global uncertainty. With so many people having suffered so much stress and anxiety over the last few months, and when getting out of bed and getting dressed is a big achievement for many, how can we expect students to focus on the CAO Change of Mind? When so many of us have been getting through each day as it comes, how can students be expected to look ahead to their future college courses and careers?
Generous
“I think it is very difficult,” Nolan says. “The short-term system is going to be generous and accommodating. This is a very unusual circumstance for students; while the switch to online has enabled some learning to happen, it falls far short of the actual educational experience. The more disadvantaged students won’t do as well under this system, but the education system – including higher education – understands this and will adapt and change.”
That might be reassuring for some in the short-term, but how can students manage to focus on the long-term implications of their CAO choices?
Don't be guided by the world or the labour market now. What you choose will stay with you for the rest of your life
“Try to set aside some time and space,” says Nolan. “Get out for a walk and try to imagine a future where we are close to being back to normal. What’s happening now is early of the lifetime of Leaving Cert students, but we hope it will be history when they are older.”
Nolan advises students not to be too influenced by the current circumstances when making their choices. “Put the short-term to one side. In making a choice about what degree you do, you’re equipping yourself with the skills you may use for 50-60 years. People are working well into their 70s these days, often in a voluntary capacity [beyond retirement age]. The pandemic may last one or two years on and off, but there is a long life ahead of us all when we get through on it”
Have confidence in your abilities, he says. “A lot of people may be the first in their family or community to go to [third level]. I personally lacked the confidence at times earlier in my life to say I could be good at this.”
Follow your interests, Nolan adds. “Don’t be guided by the world or the labour market now. What you choose will stay with you for the rest of your life. But different degrees – even apparently specialist ones like medicine or law – teach you to think in ways that can be applied in so many scenarios. You often see engineers, for instance, in a wide variety of careers, and it comes back to how they learned to think in their engineering degree.”
Nolan, always a calm and reassuring presence, has become one of the country’s most prominent figures in recent months. Just as Leaving Cert students have faced scrutiny and pressure, so has he. How is he managing?
"Badly," he says, self-deprecating. "It has been tough-going at times but I am doing my best to look after myself. I have spent time with family on Zoom. I'm exercising – indoors where lockdown applies – and taking time to write my diary and to read. It has been really tough on everyone including older people isolating, people who have lost jobs and those who have had their education interrupted. I'm really inspired by the ability, work ethic and dedication of the people around me in the university sector and at the Department of Health. They are getting us through this."


theirishtimes--2020-05-25--Bishops speed up preparations to re-open churches for public Masses

Ireland ’ s Catholic bishops are speeding up preparations to re-open churches for public Masses in case this is allowed to happen sooner than the July 20th date set in the current Government roadmap .
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said on Monday “ I realise how we need to move beyond the virtual ” while expressing admiration “ at the way parishes have been working creatively in reaching out during this complex lockdown situation.
” It was the case that “ as Christians , we suffer through not being able to celebrate our faith through public worship , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a sense in which this void is especially experienced by priests , who found themselves “ unable to carry out to the full what is most essential in their calling.
” As Archbishop he himself experienced “ that void in a deep way.
” There was “ a longing by believers to be able to return to public worship and towards building up Christian communities , ” he said .
There was also “ a clear recognition by believers and indeed many non-believers alike ” that “ faith and spiritual experience constitute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s personal and mental wellbeing , ” he said .
At a meeting of the Irish Bishops ’ Conference standing committee on Monday he said they worked on “ a shorter and sharper document , with checklists to enable parishes to monitor where they are on the path forward ” towards re-opening for services .
The document “ should be available in the next days , ” he said .
The current Government roadmap noted “ that it will be constantly evaluating progress in reopening society and it is important that we as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in the current proposed timescale , ” he said .
But , the Archbishop advised , “ we have to examine how our desires can be measured within the overall public health situation .
It is not that we place public health measures above our spiritual mission.
” He reminded parishes of the words of Pope Francis when he greeted the opening of Churches in Italy with the words , “ but please , let us proceed respecting the norms , the prescriptions we are given to safeguard the health of each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend statement the Association of Catholic Priests ( ACP ) warned against “ individuals and groups with their own self-serving and self-interested agendas ” who were “ effectively demanding that churches be kept open , that public Masses be reinstated and that ‘ rights ’ to pray in churches be upheld.
” It was a reference to some conservative Catholic commentators who have demanded that churches be re-opened for worship In the current context “ gathering people together - especially elderly people who are most at risk - is grossly irresponsible , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups claiming entitlement to special treatment is inappropriate and unacceptable , ” the ACP statement said .
“ As Christians , particularly in these difficult days , we need to be selfless rather than selfish , and focussed on the needs of others , ( especially the elderly and vulnerable ) rather than on our own ‘ rights ’ .
At this point in the on-going coronavirus pandemic , moral responsibility trumps our individual rights , ” it concluded .

Pandemic restrictions in place on the pews at the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians on Dublin’s Navan Road. Photograph: Alan Betsonimes
Ireland’s Catholic bishops are speeding up preparations to re-open churches for public Masses in case this is allowed to happen sooner than the July 20th date set in the current Government roadmap.
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said on Monday “I realise how we need to move beyond the virtual” while expressing admiration “at the way parishes have been working creatively in reaching out during this complex lockdown situation.”
It was the case that “as Christians, we suffer through not being able to celebrate our faith through public worship,” he said. He said “there is a sense in which this void is especially experienced by priests, who found themselves “unable to carry out to the full what is most essential in their calling.”
As Archbishop he himself experienced “that void in a deep way.” There was “a longing by believers to be able to return to public worship and towards building up Christian communities,” he said.
READ MORE
There was also “a clear recognition by believers and indeed many non-believers alike” that “faith and spiritual experience constitute an important contribution in sustaining people’s personal and mental wellbeing,” he said.
At a meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference standing committee on Monday he said they worked on “a shorter and sharper document, with checklists to enable parishes to monitor where they are on the path forward” towards re-opening for services.
The document “ should be available in the next days,” he said.
The current Government roadmap noted “that it will be constantly evaluating progress in reopening society and it is important that we as Church are ready to respond to any change in the current proposed timescale,” he said.
But, the Archbishop advised, “we have to examine how our desires can be measured within the overall public health situation. It is not that we place public health measures above our spiritual mission.”
He reminded parishes of the words of Pope Francis when he greeted the opening of Churches in Italy with the words, "but please, let us proceed respecting the norms, the prescriptions we are given to safeguard the health of each individual and the people."
In a weekend statement the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) warned against “ individuals and groups with their own self-serving and self-interested agendas” who were “effectively demanding that churches be kept open, that public Masses be reinstated and that ‘rights’ to pray in churches be upheld.”
It was a reference to some conservative Catholic commentators who have demanded that churches be re-opened for worship
In the current context “gathering people together - especially elderly people who are most at risk - is grossly irresponsible,”it said. “Churches or religious groups claiming entitlement to special treatment is inappropriate and unacceptable,” the ACP statement said.
“As Christians, particularly in these difficult days, we need to be selfless rather than selfish, and focussed on the needs of others, (especially the elderly and vulnerable) rather than on our own ‘rights’. At this point in the on-going coronavirus pandemic, moral responsibility trumps our individual rights,” it concluded.


theirishtimes--2020-05-25--Three accused of attack and false imprisonment of man in Co Louth

The book of evidence has been served on three men accused of attacking , falsely imprisoning and demanding €50,000 from another man in a Co Louth farmhouse .
The three men , who will all now face trial , appeared at the non-jury Special Criminal Court on Monday .
Thomas McGuinness ( 33 ) , of Chestnut Court , Johnstown , Navan , Co Meath ; William Twomey ( 56 ) , from Havelock Place , Warrenpoint , Co Down , and Anthony Finglas ( 49 ) , also of Havelock Place , are charged with falsely imprisoning Edward McAndrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One Ferry Hill , Cornamucklagh , Omeath , Co Louth , on or about December 2nd , 2017 .
They are also charged with assaulting Mr McAndrew causing him harm at the same location and on the same date , of “ demanding €50,000 with menaces ” and of robbing him of items , including keys , cash , two mobile phones and an Irish passport .
Mr Twomey and Mr McGuinness were granted bail at a previous hearing but Mr Finglas remains in custody .
Det Garda Eoghan Clerkin served the book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reappear at the court before presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt , on November 9th for a trial that could last six weeks .

The three accused will appear at court on November 9th for a trial that could last weeks. Photograph: Dave Meehan/The Irish Times
The book of evidence has been served on three men accused of attacking, falsely imprisoning and demanding €50,000 from another man in a Co Louth farmhouse.
The three men, who will all now face trial, appeared at the non-jury Special Criminal Court on Monday.
Thomas McGuinness (33), of Chestnut Court, Johnstown, Navan, Co Meath; William Twomey (56), from Havelock Place, Warrenpoint, Co Down, and Anthony Finglas (49), also of Havelock Place, are charged with falsely imprisoning Edward McAndrew by detaining him without his consent at One Ferry Hill, Cornamucklagh, Omeath, Co Louth, on or about December 2nd, 2017. They are also charged with assaulting Mr McAndrew causing him harm at the same location and on the same date, of “demanding €50,000 with menaces” and of robbing him of items, including keys, cash, two mobile phones and an Irish passport.
Mr Twomey and Mr McGuinness were granted bail at a previous hearing but Mr Finglas remains in custody.
READ MORE
Det Garda Eoghan Clerkin served the book on the three accused, who will reappear at the court before presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt, on November 9th for a trial that could last six weeks.


theirishtimes--2020-05-25--Locals protest over hedgerow cutting during National Biodiversity Week

A small group of neighbours living in a townland outside of Tuam , Co Galway , mounted a successful protest on Monday after Galway County Council workers began cutting hedgerows and wild grasslands in their area .
The cutting work was occurring along a boreen through Cloonfush leading to bogland .
Two tractors with attached cutters started cutting back brambles and hawthorn used by a variety of birds for nesting .
Cutting hedgerows at this time of year is not permitted in an effort to protect biodiversity .
“ It ’ s just the senselessness of it all , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s really sad and ironic – it ’ s National Biodiversity Week.
” She contacted her neighbour Anne Quinn , and with two other neighbours , they stood on the verge in an attempt to stop further damage .
Dismayed by a “ butchering of everything ” left in the tractors ’ wake , she phoned the council but got no response though she later outlined their concerns to the council ’ s biodiversity officer .
When they followed the tractors , which were by then cutting vegetation on the bog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at that point only grass would be cut .
But that too should not be happening , she believes .
“ We called the guards .
They said they wouldn ’ t do anything as they believed it was not in their remit , ” said Ms Cosgrove , who is an adult education teacher .
She accepted local authorities can cut back hedgerows at any time if they believe there is a health and safety risk .
“ But there is no risk here .
It ’ s a road down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waited until the end of August.
” The area had rich biodiversity including wrens that nest in the hedgerows and goldfinches that eat seedlings on the grasses , and lots of knapweed that encourages pollinators , while stoats , hares and red thrushes are frequently seen in the area .
This is the third year in a row hedgerows were cut back at the wrong time , she claimed .
She complained to the local authority each year it happened in the past .
“ This year we decided we had enough.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group though she had given talks about climate change .
They simply acted out of concern about biodiversity in their locality , she said .
When contacted by The Irish Times , there was no one available for comment at the council ’ s regional office in Tuam .

A small group of neighbours living in a townland outside of Tuam, Co Galway, mounted a successful protest on Monday after Galway County Council workers began cutting hedgerows and wild grasslands in their area.
The cutting work was occurring along a boreen through Cloonfush leading to bogland. Two tractors with attached cutters started cutting back brambles and hawthorn used by a variety of birds for nesting.
Cutting hedgerows at this time of year is not permitted in an effort to protect biodiversity.
"It's just the senselessness of it all," said local resident Emer Cosgrove. " It's really sad and ironic – it's National Biodiversity Week."
READ MORE
She contacted her neighbour Anne Quinn, and with two other neighbours, they stood on the verge in an attempt to stop further damage. Dismayed by a "butchering of everything" left in the tractors' wake, she phoned the council but got no response though she later outlined their concerns to the council's biodiversity officer.
When they followed the tractors, which were by then cutting vegetation on the bog, Ms Cosgrove said they were told at that point only grass would be cut. But that too should not be happening, she believes.
Safety risk
“We called the guards. They said they wouldn’t do anything as they believed it was not in their remit,” said Ms Cosgrove, who is an adult education teacher.
She accepted local authorities can cut back hedgerows at any time if they believe there is a health and safety risk. “But there is no risk here. It’s a road down to a bog. It could easily have waited until the end of August.”
The area had rich biodiversity including wrens that nest in the hedgerows and goldfinches that eat seedlings on the grasses, and lots of knapweed that encourages pollinators, while stoats, hares and red thrushes are frequently seen in the area.
This is the third year in a row hedgerows were cut back at the wrong time, she claimed. She complained to the local authority each year it happened in the past. “This year we decided we had enough.”
She was not part of an environmental group though she had given talks about climate change. They simply acted out of concern about biodiversity in their locality, she said.
When contacted by The Irish Times, there was no one available for comment at the council’s regional office in Tuam.


theirishtimes--2020-05-26--‘Alarmingly immature’: Farm machinery stunt videos criticised

A farm organisation has warned about the dangers of filming stunts involving farm equipment and machinery for use on the internet .
Tim Cullinan , president of the Irish Farmers Association ( IFA ) , said some recordings of these incidents , which have been uploaded to the TikTik social media channel , is “ grossly irresponsible and is an accident waiting to happen ” .
Some of the videos he hightlighted featured tractors , quad bikes and heavy machinery .
One video shows what appears to be a race between three tractors on a public road , while another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a tractor as it drives through a field at speed .
Another shows men sitting in the bucket of a digger as it rotated quickly , and another features a quad being driven up a steep embankment and almost overturning in the process .
“ I am disgusted that people could be so casual and have no regard for the dangers involved in what they are doing , ” Mr Cullinan said .
With eight farm fatalities recorded so far this year , the IFA president urged those making the videos to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
“ Too often , people are not willing to act responsibly and identify the risks , ” he said .
“ All farmers and contractors need to make it clear to their employees that engaging in these practices is a sackable offence , ” he said .
TikTok , the Chinese video sharing app , allows users to upload and edit short videos of themselves .
It has taken off in popularity in Ireland in recent months .
Minister for Agricukture Michael Creed said the videos showed “ alarmingly immature behaviour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said those who feature in the clips are “ boys tasked with adult work clearly incapable of responsibility ” .

Social media videos featuring tractors, differs and quad bikes have been strongly criticised by the IFA.
TikTok, the video-sharing website, is investigating after footage emerged on its platform, apparently of machinery being misused on Irish farms for dangerous stunts.
Farming organisations on Tuesday morning criticised the behaviours seen on the platform as “an accident waiting to happen”.
A spokesman for the platform said it does not allow content “that encourages or replicates dangerous challenges that might lead to injury. Our safety team is investigating, and we will take appropriate action in line with our community guidelines.
Tim Cullinan, president of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), said some of the incidents were "grossly irresponsible and an accident waiting to happen".
READ MORE
Some of the videos he highlighted featured tractors, quad bikes and heavy machinery. One video shows what appears to be a race between three tractors on a public road, while another shows a man sitting on the front of a tractor as it drives through a field at speed.
Another shows men sitting in the bucket of a digger as it rotated quickly, and another features a quad being driven up a steep embankment and almost overturning in the process.
“I am disgusted that people could be so casual and have no regard for the dangers involved in what they are doing,” Mr Cullinan said.
With eight farm fatalities recorded so far this year, the IFA president urged those making the videos to “take a hard look at themselves”.
“Too often, people are not willing to act responsibly and identify the risks,” he said. “All farmers and contractors need to make it clear to their employees that engaging in these practices is a sackable offence.”
TikTok, the Chinese video sharing app, allows users to upload and edit short videos of themselves. It has taken off in popularity in Ireland in recent months.
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said the videos showed “alarmingly immature behaviour”. In a Twitter post he said those who feature in the clips are “boys tasked with adult work clearly incapable of responsibility”.
Mark Cullen, assistant chief executive with the Health and Safety Authority said: “The antics of the farm workers is these videos is shocking. Not only is there a complete lack of even the most basic safety precautions, there is a complete lack of common sense and total disregard for their own safety and the safety of those around them.”
He said the HSA “will not hesitate to take robust action where we can identify the individuals and the employers concerned”.
Pat McCormack, the president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), said the behaviour was “dangerous, irresponsible and had to stop”. Mr McCormack said it was an “invitation to tragedy” and said those making the videos should stop “if not for their own sakes then for the sakes of other road users who will end up injured or worse when the inevitable accident happens”.
Mr McCormack said that 99 per cent of farmers would be “aghast” at people not giving this work the concentration and focus it most certainly needed and he said there would be no sympathy or support for people caught and prosecuted for this kind of recklessness.


theirishtimes--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Nursing homes used ‘painters’ overalls’ as PPE due to shortage

Nursing homes were forced to use painters ’ overalls and supplies from a local school and vet as personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and endured delays of weeks in trying to get residents and staff tested for Covid-19 , correspondence shows .
Contacts between the Department of Health and the nursing home sector , which runs to hundreds of pages , shows repeated attempts by the sector to get clarity on testing , visiting restrictions and access to PPE since the start of the pandemic .
Throughout March and April , Nursing Homes Ireland chief executive Tadhg Daly repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister for Health Simon Harris seeking guidance as he warned that the situation could get “ out of control ” .
The department was criticised on Tuesday over the correspondence being published some 90 minutes ahead of an Oireachtas committee meeting being attended by Nursing Homes Ireland .
Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane said it was not good enough that the committee had been given so little time to consider the documents and that the committee needed to be “ much more robust ” with the department and HSE on these matters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ TD Fergus O ’ Dowd toldMr Daly that nursing homes “ could have done a lot more to help ” themselves during the early stages of the pandemic .
He said nursing homes were not left isolated and that €8.7 million was paid back to homes during the pandemic to assist them with the purchase of PPE .
“ You are making the point that the State , or the Department of Health or the HSE was responsible , ” he said to Mr Daly .
The Louth TD said there had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private sector is not compliant ” with regulations and they were “ very wealth companies ” not prepared to spend money on such equipment .
Mr O ’ Dowd said that only 27 per cent of nursing homes were compliant with infection control regulations in 2017 and this subsequently dropped to 23 per cent .
He added that “ we need to stop this game of blaming everybody and accept the facts ” that the care of older people in nursing homes “ is not acceptable ” .
However , Mr Daly insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly regulated sector ” of any .
On the issue of regulatory compliance , he said an inspection might highlight and issue and there was then follow-up on the matter .
He told Sinn Fein health spokewoman Louise O ’ Reilly there should have been a national plan to deal with community care and transmission of coronavirus .
Mr Daly said a large numbers of hospital patients who were transferred to nursing homes were categorised as “ low risk ” .
He said it would have been practice in most nursing homes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocol .
There was some risk assessment done but the testing was not done by the hospitals , he said .
Mr Daly said nursing homes were “ exasperated ” at the lack of engagement by the Department of Health and HSE in March when warnings were given of the growing pressures in nursing homes .
He said it was a very distressing time for residents and their families and staff .
He said nursing homes were losing staff at the same time as the HSE was recruiting staff to the public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said a number of nursing homes had said they had restricted visiting and would not take patients from acute hospitals , as was their right .
He said care in nursing homes “ has an overly complex and ultimately dangerous architecture ” .
In one document published ahead of the meeting , Nursing Homes Ireland said it was receiving “ constant queries ” throughout March and in a letter sent to health officials on March 13th , Mr Daly said there were “ no assurances ” coming from the health services .
Concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly raised and Mr Daly told health officials in early March that the sector was not being given adequate practical guidance on how to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19 or regarding procedures to care for residents of staff that may present with symptoms .
In an effort to highlight the situation facing the sector , Nursing Homes Ireland conducted a survey of its members in April which was forwarded to Mr Harris .
Some 44 per cent of nursing homes said they were waiting more than 10 days for testing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ still waiting 20 days later ” while another said that “ one resident died while awaiting testing ” .
One nursing home said it was “ taking so long that it is redundant ” and another said it was “ simply a disaster.
” Some 12 per cent of nursing homes said they were “ waiting indefinitely ” for PPE to be supplied with one nursing home reporting that it waited up to four weeks .
Another said it was told it was not being given PPE unless there were confirmed cases but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another nursing home said they were using “ painters overalls , painters goggles , surgical masks that cost €1.50 each ” .
“ We have spent over €12,000 , ” it said .
“ We have received eye protection from a local school , overalls from local vet , face masks purchased from dressmaker.
” Many staff were threatening to leave because of “ empty promises ” on the issue , the survey found .
The committee on Tuesday heard a call for Construction Industry Federation director general Tom Parlon to formally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 , which he told that the pandemic could increase costs of capital infrastructure projects by 40 per cent .
Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy said Mr Parlon should be contacted to correct the record as he had subsequently admitted that the information he gave was wrong .
Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness said it might be more accurate to ask Mr Parlon to withdraw the statement .
Committee chairman Michel McNamara said officials would write to Mr Parlon asking him if he wished to clarify his statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ misspoke ” at the committee when he said measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 could increase the cost of complicated projects like the new National Children ’ s Hospital by 40 per cent .
“ I should have said that productivity could be reduced by 40 per cent while severe restrictions are in place , ” he said in an interview on RTÉ radio .
“ I didn ’ t clarify the situation but I ’ m happy to clarify it now ... there won ’ t be a mad increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday morning hearing from Mr Daly and Sage Advocacy executive director Mervyn Taylor .
Hiqa chief executive Phelim Quinn and representatives from the HSE will appear before the committee to discuss nursing homes after lunch and later in the afternoon representatives from the Department of Justice and from the HSE will appear before the committee to discuss Covid-19 in direct provision centres .

During a committee held in the Dáil chamber TDs heard of how staff found working in nursing homes 'horific' during the Covid-19 outbreak. Video: Oireachtas TV
A Government backbencher has accused “very wealthy” nursing home directors of complaining that the taxpayer was not doing enough for them.
Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd also claimed as “patently and obviously untrue” allegations by Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) chief executive Tadhg Daly that homes were left isolated by the Department of Health and HSE at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr O’Dowd said NHI had “very wealthy” directors and they had a lot of money to pay for testing, employ extra staff and buy infection control or personal protective equipment (PPE).
He claimed some private homes were not compliant with risk assessment and infection control regulations but their owners were complaining that “the taxpayer isn’t doing enough for them”.
READ MORE
Mr Daly insisted however at the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee that the sector had been left isolated and the “dismay will live with us forever”.
The committee is examining the State’s response to the pandemic, with a majority of deaths in nursing home settings.
The committee also heard director of Sage Advocacy Mervyn Taylor say private nursing homes were “literally outsourced and forgotten about” by the State and they must be integrated into the wider health and social care framework.
The agency campaigns for the rights of older people and Mr Taylor said there had to be legislation to “legitimise the role of independent advocates”. He recalled “private nursing homes throwing our staff out and not allowing them to contact residents. That is a rare occasion, but it has happened.”
Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness describe as a “ huge scandal”what had happened in nursing homes and he suggested a general inquiry was needed. But Mr Daly said the committee and the expert panel should complete their work, which would inform what should happen next.
But Mr Taylor said now “the issue is implementing the policies that have been talked about for the last 30 years”.
Overalls
The exchanges came as correspondence between NHI and the Department of Health revealed that nursing homes were forced to use painters’ overalls and supplies from a local school and vet as PPE and endured delays of weeks in trying to get residents and staff tested for Covid-19.
The hundreds of pages of letters show repeated attempts by the sector to get clarity on testing, visiting restrictions and access to PPE since the start of the pandemic, with Mr Daly warning that the situation could get “out of control”.
Mr O’Dowd said correspondence in March showed the NHI thanking the department for its ongoing collaboration.
The Louth TD said a number of NHI’s were very wealthy and the latest accounts year for eight directors showed profits of €23.3 million, so they had money to pay for testing, staff recruitment and accommodation and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Mr O’Dowd said that when NHI sought financial supports, a €72 million funding scheme was established a few days later.
Mr Daly insisted it was not a question of finances but that PPE could not be sourced and testing was being coordinated at a national level by the State.
When he said just €8.7 million had been drawn down from the fund Mr O’Dowd said that was Government money being paid to the sector.
In an angry outburst the Louth TD also hit out at the compliance rates with risk assessment and infection control had gone from 27 per cent in 2017 to 23 per cent.
But Mr Daly pointed out that that included public as well as private and voluntary homes. And he insisted the sector “is arguably the most highly regulated sector” of any and the sector took its responsibilities very seriously.
Solidarity TD Mick Barry said there was “a touch of hypocrisy” in Mr O’Dowd’s outrage because nursing homes were overwhelmingly private because of a policy of privatisation and providing massive tax breaks.
Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall said “what has absolutely been exposed in the light touch regulation of the sector”.
Mr Daly rejected claims by Labour TD Duncan Smith who said it was “pretty clear that you have been shifting responding to the HSE and Department of Health”.
The NHI chief executive insisted he was highlighting the facts which showed gaps in supports. Issues could be improved but nothing stood out in terms of NHI doing thing differently.
When she asked about the ratio of nurses and care assistants to residents in nursing homes. Mr Daly said the regulator did not permit nursing homes to set ratios.
But Hiqa chief inspector Mary Dunnion later told the committee that this was “totally untrue”.


theirishtimes--2020-05-26--Man injured in Co Meath shooting attack last night

Gardaí are investigating a shooting which took place at Clonee , Co Meath , last night .
The force said @ @ @ @ @ the town ’ s Main Street at around 10.25pm .
It left a man in @ @ @ @ @ victim has been taken to James Connolly Memorial Hospital where his injuries were described as @ @ @ @ @ has been preserved pending a technical examination .
Anyone with information on the shooting is @ @ @ @ @ incident room in Ashbourne Garda station on ( 01 ) 801 0600 , or the @ @ @ @ @ 666 111 .
No arrests have been made .

Gardaí are investigating a shooting in Clonee last night.
Gardaí are investigating a shooting which took place at Clonee, Co Meath, last night.
The force said the incident took place on the town’s Main Street at around 10.25pm.
It left a man in his 20s injured.
The victim has been taken to James Connolly Memorial Hospital where his injuries were described as non-life threatening. The scene has been preserved pending a technical examination.
READ MORE
Anyone with information on the shooting is being asked to contact the incident room in Ashbourne Garda station on (01) 801 0600, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
No arrests have been made.


theirishtimes--2020-05-26--Missed milestone: How will schools mark their pupils’ final days?

School ’ s out .
Two words that would ordinarily spark joy in the hearts of primary school children .
But these are not ordinary times and , for 12-year-old Olivia Lyons , these words don ’ t ’ spark joy .
They spark disappointment .
Like nearly 70,000 other sixth class primary school students , Olivia was looking forward to the day that would mark her graduation from primary school and signal her transition to secondary .
“ I feel quite sad , ” she says .
“ It ’ s hard when you have been with the school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re not going to get a nice finish with them , to share all the memories that we have had.
” Olivia looked on over the years as other sixth classes graduated and was looking forward to following in their footsteps .
“ They get cloaks and hats and a have barbeque , everyone in the school lines up outside their classroom and as sixth class walk through the school everyone claps for them , ” says Olivia .
“ They won ’ t be lining up for us now.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrambling to adapt their plans for graduation to fit the current restrictions .
For some that means postponing and for others it means going virtual or even hybrid .
The announcement that schools will remain closed until September confirmed that sixth class graduations would not being going ahead – in the traditional sense at least .
Principal Caitríona Hand and staff at Citywest Educate Together National School are putting the finishing touches to a very alternative graduation day .
It has both an on-site and virtual aspect , working within official public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designated a time and invited to the school individually at five-minute intervals on the afternoon of graduation day .
“ When they get to the school there will be a table outside and on that will be their graduation pack , which is a portfolio of their work from the eight years that they spent in school , their certificate and a memento , ” says Hand .
A staff member will then take the students ’ graduation photo in front of the school crest and a virtual ceremony will be held that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zoom call and all the students can come on , ” says Hand .
“ Staff members will be in different rooms in the school so that the children can say goodbye to the PE hall , their classroom and other places like that.
” There will be speeches , recorded messages from staff members and a montage of photos from over their eight years .
They also hope students will do a performance piece of some kind .
“ Obviously we know it will be different , it might be a TikTok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with that , ” she says .
Hand is hoping to replicate the guard of honour virtually by recording them clapping and waving , and editing it together .
Even the tradition of everyone signing each other ’ s shirts will get the online treatment .
“ They can each go into a document on Google Classrooms and sign their name and the staff can do the same and we can get that document printed onto T-shirts , ” says Hand .
The fact that parents in the school gave them the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a big plus ; the school has also involved the sixth class students themselves in the planning .
“ Student voice is really important in our school and we really want them to be part of designing it , ” says Hand .
Billy Lynch , principal of Scoil Cholmcille on Blarney Street in Cork , was also reluctant to defer the graduation ceremony until next year .
“ You can ’ t promise you ’ re going to be able to do that , ” says Walsh .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are in a different school , they are in secondary.
” Lynch says the graduation is a rite of passage for the students and is an important milestone in their school life .
“ You have to give them that sense of closure .
I know that is a term that is bandied about but , in these circumstances , it is needed , ” says Lynch .
“ You can ’ t just leave them walk out and have it that their last day was the 12th March .
Small little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a big deal that has become all the more important now.
” The school had already chosen June 24th as their date and have decided to run with that , albeit in an altered format .
It will be streamed live online with an MC who , he says , will bring some fun to the occasion .
The school ’ s graduations traditionally have a culinary aspect which they hope to retain this year .
“ We are thinking of getting a delivery of food to the houses , ” says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would deliver the food and the pizzas , and they will have that celebration.
” The school has been streaming its assembly since it closed and staff are using what they have learned from this to ensure maximum participation in the graduation .
They have contacted families individually so they could address any device or access issues ahead of the planned ceremony .
“ It has to be every child , you can ’ t leave anyone out , ” says Lynch .
“ It will only be as good as it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says inclusion underpins the ethos of their school and is determined to uphold this during the closures .
“ It would destroy us , if someone was left out .
Even if we had to stick a phone in a letterbox or something , we will get there , ” he says .
For other schools trying to plan their graduation ceremonies , Hand advises them to approach it like they would any other year .
“ The most important thing is to communicate and trust .
You have been a team for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team.
” A celebrity send-off for the class of 2020 Sports days , confirmations , school tours and graduations : this year ’ s sixth class pupils are missing out on key milestones in their young lives .
It prompted Sarah Webb , an award-winning children ’ s writer , to set up a movement on Twitter – # Messagesfor6th – with the aim of collecting inspirational messages and sending them to students who are missing out on their final months in primary school .
The idea has picked up momentum , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eager to show their support .
“ A lot of the people involved are ex-primary school teachers , so they get it , they 100 per cent get it , ” says Webb .
The videos will go live on Saturday May 23rd and some of the names confirmed include : Amy Huberman , Paul Howard , Sinead Burke ( an ex-primary teacher herself ) , Eoin Colfer ( another ex-primary teacher ) , Robin Stevens , Dave Rudden , Marita Conlon-McKenna ( the grandmother of a sixth class child ) , John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D ’ Arcy , Dr Sindy Joyce , Sinead Moriarty , Deirdre Sullivan ( currently a primary school teacher ) , Derek Landy and the new Laureate na nÓg ( children ’ s laureate ) Áine Ní Ghlinn .
The videos will be available free of charge via the Children ’ s Books Ireland website ( www.childrensbooksireland.ie ) and You Tube channelfrom the launch day on Saturday May 23rd at 10am .

School's out. Two words that would ordinarily spark joy in the hearts of primary school children. But these are not ordinary times and, for 12-year-old Olivia Lyons, these words don't' spark joy. They spark disappointment.
Like nearly 70,000 other sixth class primary school students, Olivia was looking forward to the day that would mark her graduation from primary school and signal her transition to secondary.
“I feel quite sad,” she says. “It’s hard when you have been with the school for all these years and now, you’re not going to get a nice finish with them, to share all the memories that we have had.”
Olivia looked on over the years as other sixth classes graduated and was looking forward to following in their footsteps.
READ MORE
“They get cloaks and hats and a have barbeque, everyone in the school lines up outside their classroom and as sixth class walk through the school everyone claps for them,” says Olivia. “They won’t be lining up for us now.”
Primary schools around the country are now scrambling to adapt their plans for graduation to fit the current restrictions. For some that means postponing and for others it means going virtual or even hybrid.
The announcement that schools will remain closed until September confirmed that sixth class graduations would not being going ahead – in the traditional sense at least.
Principal Caitríona Hand and staff at Citywest Educate Together National School are putting the finishing touches to a very alternative graduation day.
It has both an on-site and virtual aspect, working within official public health and safety guidelines.
Five-minute intervals
Students will be designated a time and invited to the school individually at five-minute intervals on the afternoon of graduation day.
“When they get to the school there will be a table outside and on that will be their graduation pack, which is a portfolio of their work from the eight years that they spent in school, their certificate and a memento,” says Hand.
A staff member will then take the students’ graduation photo in front of the school crest and a virtual ceremony will be held that evening.
“We will have a Zoom call and all the students can come on,” says Hand. “ Staff members will be in different rooms in the school so that the children can say goodbye to the PE hall, their classroom and other places like that.”
Student voice is really important in our school and we really want them to be part of designing it
There will be speeches, recorded messages from staff members and a montage of photos from over their eight years. They also hope students will do a performance piece of some kind.
“Obviously we know it will be different, it might be a TikTok but we are hoping they will come up with that,” she says.
Hand is hoping to replicate the guard of honour virtually by recording them clapping and waving, and editing it together.
Even the tradition of everyone signing each other’s shirts will get the online treatment.
"They can each go into a document on Google Classrooms and sign their name and the staff can do the same and we can get that document printed onto T-shirts," says Hand.
The fact that parents in the school gave them the space and time to plan the graduation has been a big plus; the school has also involved the sixth class students themselves in the planning.
“Student voice is really important in our school and we really want them to be part of designing it,” says Hand.
Billy Lynch, principal of Scoil Cholmcille on Blarney Street in Cork, was also reluctant to defer the graduation ceremony until next year.
“You can’t promise you’re going to be able to do that,” says Walsh. “And in September the moment has passed, they are in a different school, they are in secondary.”
Rite of passage
Lynch says the graduation is a rite of passage for the students and is an important milestone in their school life.
“You have to give them that sense of closure. I know that is a term that is bandied about but, in these circumstances, it is needed,” says Lynch. “You can’t just leave them walk out and have it that their last day was the 12th March. Small little things have become more important and this is a big deal that has become all the more important now.”
The school had already chosen June 24th as their date and have decided to run with that, albeit in an altered format.
It will be streamed live online with an MC who, he says, will bring some fun to the occasion.
It has to be every child, you can't leave anyone out. It will only be as good as it can be if everybody is there
The school’s graduations traditionally have a culinary aspect which they hope to retain this year.
“We are thinking of getting a delivery of food to the houses,” says Lynch, “So the chip shop would deliver the food and the pizzas, and they will have that celebration.”
The school has been streaming its assembly since it closed and staff are using what they have learned from this to ensure maximum participation in the graduation.
They have contacted families individually so they could address any device or access issues ahead of the planned ceremony.
“It has to be every child, you can’t leave anyone out,” says Lynch. “It will only be as good as it can be if everybody is there.”
Lynch says inclusion underpins the ethos of their school and is determined to uphold this during the closures.
“It would destroy us, if someone was left out. Even if we had to stick a phone in a letterbox or something, we will get there,” he says.
For other schools trying to plan their graduation ceremonies, Hand advises them to approach it like they would any other year.
“The most important thing is to communicate and trust. You have been a team for eight years so finish as a strong team.”
A celebrity send-off for the class of 2020
Sports days, confirmations, school tours and graduations: this year’s sixth class pupils are missing out on key milestones in their young lives.
It prompted Sarah Webb, an award-winning children's writer, to set up a movement on Twitter – #Messagesfor6th – with the aim of collecting inspirational messages and sending them to students who are missing out on their final months in primary school.
The idea has picked up momentum, with many writers, sports stars and celebrities eager to show their support.
“A lot of the people involved are ex-primary school teachers, so they get it, they 100 per cent get it,” says Webb.
The videos will go live on Saturday May 23rd and some of the names confirmed include:
Amy Huberman, Paul Howard, Sinead Burke (an ex-primary teacher herself), Eoin Colfer (another ex-primary teacher), Robin Stevens, Dave Rudden, Marita Conlon-McKenna (the grandmother of a sixth class child), John Boyne, Onjali Q Raúf, Gordon D'Arcy, Dr Sindy Joyce, Sinead Moriarty, Deirdre Sullivan (currently a primary school teacher), Derek Landy and the new Laureate na nÓg (children's laureate) Áine Ní Ghlinn.
The videos will be available free of charge via the Children's Books Ireland website (www.childrensbooksireland.ie) and You Tube channelfrom the launch day on Saturday May 23rd at 10am.


theirishtimes--2020-05-26--No national clinical oversight of care being delivered to those in nursing homes, watchdog to tell T

No national clinical oversight of care being delivered to those in nursing homes, watchdog to tell TDs

The State ’ s health watchdog will today raise major shortcomings in the oversight of care for the most vulnerable citizens in nursing homes , the people most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic .
Health Information and Quality Authority chief executive Phelim Quinn is expected to tell the Dáil ’ s committee on Covid-19 that the current model of private residential care for older persons has no formal clinical governance links with the Health Service Executive .
“ Importantly , this means there is no national clinical oversight of the care being delivered to some of our most vulnerable citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He will also say 80 per cent of nursing homes are operated by private providers and although funded by the HSE through the Fair Deal scheme the health authority did not know the sector .
Nursing homes have borne the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic in this country , accounting for 878 or 54 per cent of the 1,606 deaths from the virus in the State .
No further deaths from Covid 19 in the State were reported on Monday for the first time since March 21st.Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) , which made the announcement , said 59 new cases of coronavirus had been reported , however .
The Dáil ’ s Covid-19 committee , which is examining the State ’ s response to the Covid-19 pandemic , will also be told today that key State organisations left the nursing home sector and its residents “ isolated ” in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic .
The chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland , Tadhg Daly , is expected to tell TDs that “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We were exasperated .
The sector required a specific plan .
We knew that Covid-19 disproportionately impacts on older people .
The planning and focus was almost exclusively on our acute hospitals .
Multiple clusters initially emerged in our hospitals .
But the numbers in nursing homes started to increase.
” Mr Daly is expected to tell the committee that in the absence of a national strategy and response for the nursing home sector , a number of challenges emerged .
These included insufficient testing and personal protective equipment and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing homes without testing .
The committee will also hear from representatives of Sage , an advocacy group for vulnerable adults and older people .
According to the group ’ s opening statement which was sent to TDs in advance of the hearing , the initial warning signs regarding a Covid-19 pandemic were generally recognised by private nursing homes .
“ However , because of the lack of effective working relationships with the HSE , and the focus at State level on an expected surge and resultant threat to the acute system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were in nursing homes did not become centre stage until the systemic weaknesses of the outsourced system became clear.
” The group says that “ the development of such a significant ‘ blind spot ’ at statutory level is something that requires considerable reflection.
” Furthermore , staff shortages in some cases led to “ risk-taking with staff in some facilities having to continue to work while ill and in other cases encouraging people back from isolation ” .
“ Other staff , frightened for their own health and aware of the Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the result that some nursing homes were so short-staffed that phone calls from extremely concerned and distressed relatives went unanswered , in some cases for days.
” Speaking in advance of the hearing , Sinn Féin TD Louise O ’ Reilly said the statement from Nursing Homes Ireland “ points to a complete failure of the State to enact a structural plan for the nursing home sector , with the necessary financial and staffing resources , until late in the day ” .

Nursing homes have borne the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic in Ireland, accounting for 54 per cent of the 1,606 deaths from the virus in the State. File photograph: iStock/Getty Images
The State’s health watchdog will today raise major shortcomings in the oversight of care for the most vulnerable citizens in nursing homes, the people most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Health Information and Quality Authority chief executive Phelim Quinn is expected to tell the Dáil's committee on Covid-19 that the current model of private residential care for older persons has no formal clinical governance links with the Health Service Executive. "Importantly, this means there is no national clinical oversight of the care being delivered to some of our most vulnerable citizens," he is expected to say.
He will also say 80 per cent of nursing homes are operated by private providers and although funded by the HSE through the Fair Deal scheme the health authority did not know the sector.
Nursing homes have borne the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic in this country, accounting for 878 or 54 per cent of the 1,606 deaths from the virus in the State.
READ MORE
No further deaths from Covid 19 in the State were reported on Monday for the first time since March 21st.Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was a "significant milestone.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), which made the announcement, said 59 new cases of coronavirus had been reported, however.
‘Isolated’
The Dáil’s Covid-19 committee, which is examining the State’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, will also be told today that key State organisations left the nursing home sector and its residents “isolated” in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.
The chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland, Tadhg Daly, is expected to tell TDs that "the dismay will live forever with us".
“We were exasperated. The sector required a specific plan. We knew that Covid-19 disproportionately impacts on older people. The planning and focus was almost exclusively on our acute hospitals. Multiple clusters initially emerged in our hospitals. But the numbers in nursing homes started to increase.”
Mr Daly is expected to tell the committee that in the absence of a national strategy and response for the nursing home sector, a number of challenges emerged. These included insufficient testing and personal protective equipment and the release of patients from acute hospitals to nursing homes without testing.
The committee will also hear from representatives of Sage, an advocacy group for vulnerable adults and older people.
According to the group’s opening statement which was sent to TDs in advance of the hearing, the initial warning signs regarding a Covid-19 pandemic were generally recognised by private nursing homes.
“However, because of the lack of effective working relationships with the HSE, and the focus at State level on an expected surge and resultant threat to the acute system, the dangers to the most vulnerable who were in nursing homes did not become centre stage until the systemic weaknesses of the outsourced system became clear.”
The group says that “the development of such a significant ‘blind spot’ at statutory level is something that requires considerable reflection.”
Furthermore, staff shortages in some cases led to “risk-taking with staff in some facilities having to continue to work while ill and in other cases encouraging people back from isolation”.
“Other staff, frightened for their own health and aware of the Covid-19 payments, chose to stay away, with the result that some nursing homes were so short-staffed that phone calls from extremely concerned and distressed relatives went unanswered, in some cases for days.”
Speaking in advance of the hearing, Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly said the statement from Nursing Homes Ireland “points to a complete failure of the State to enact a structural plan for the nursing home sector, with the necessary financial and staffing resources, until late in the day”.


theirishtimes--2020-05-25--Swimming ban at Dublin's Merrion strand due to poor water quality

Swimming is to be banned at Merrion strand in Dublin Bay because of persistent problems with bathing water quality – it is the first Irish beach to have such a permanent prohibition .
The move follows publication of the EPA Bathing Water in Ireland report for 2019 , which confirms the beach was classified as “ poor ” for the fifth year in a row under EU standards .
Dublin City Council indicated in January if it failed to meet the minimum standards for a fifth consecutive year , a “ permanent prohibition ” on bathing will be put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water quality improved across the country in 2019 .
– 95 per cent of bathing waters ( 140 of 147 ) met or exceeded the minimum required standard , up from 94 per cent in 2018 ; – 107 ( 73 per cent ) were classified as “ excellent ” , up from 103 ; – 24 ( 16 per cent ) were classified as “ good ” , up from 22 ; – Nine ( 6 per cent ) were classified as “ sufficient ” , down from 12 .
EPA director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Merrion Strand after five years at poor status is disappointing and action must be taken to ensure no other bathing water is declassified in future.
” Portrane ( the Brook ) beach in Co Dublin ; Ballyloughane and Clifden beaches in Co Galway and Lilliput at Lough Ennell , Co Westmeath , were also deemed poor .
The Brook beach and Ballyloughane risk being declassified next year as they have failed to meet minimum standards for the fourth year in a row .
The main difficulty at Merrion strand is the impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the beach ; the Elm Park and Trimleston streams .
They are polluted due to misconnections where domestic plumbing goes into the wrong pipe and goes directly into the stream ; leaks , spills and overflows from wastewater collection systems and run-off from roads .
Other potential pollution sources include urban wastewater discharges , birds and dogs .
A new task force set up by Dublin City Council is focusing on improving bathing water quality at Merrion strand and Sandymount strand .
Dublin City Council is also working with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources related to the wastewater network including misconnections , combined sewer overflows and pumping station overflows .
Dublin City Council is investigating the possibility of creating wetlands to improve water quality in the Elm Park stream , while a €9.2 million research project called Acclimatize aims to identify the main sources of pollution in the Dublin Bay area .
Ongoing difficulties at the nearby Ringsend wastewater treatment works , which is operating at overcapacity and not in compliance with EU environmental regulations , are dealt with under the EPA urban wastewater treatment report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern at Merrion strand , precautionary advice is issued to the public , confirmed EPA programme manager Mary Gurrie .
Pollution incidents reported to the EPA decreased from 55 in 2018 to 50 .
Fifteen of these were related to problems at wastewater treatment plants but “ do not appear to have caused a deterioration in bathing water quality ” .
“ More improvements in operation , management and maintenance of plants and networks are still needed , ” the report warns .
Three bathing waters , all in Dublin , were classified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foot , Sandycove ( classified as “ excellent ” ) , White Rock Beach in Killiney ( “ excellent ” ) and Sandycove Beach ( “ good ” ) .
Inchydoney East Beach in Co Cork and Cúas Crom , Co Kerry , will be classified later this year .
“ Ireland has many beautiful beaches .
Enjoying these natural amenities can be good for our physical and mental wellbeing , and it is therefore essential that Ireland maintains good bathing water quality , ” Ms Gurrie added .
Throughout the summer water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affecting bathing waters are displayed at www.beaches.ieThe bathing water report is available on the EPA ’ s website .

Merrion strand: the beach is the first in Ireland to face a permanent bathing ban.
Swimming is to be banned at Merrion strand in Dublin Bay because of persistent problems with bathing water quality – it is the first Irish beach to have such a permanent prohibition.
The move follows publication of the EPA Bathing Water in Ireland report for 2019, which confirms the beach was classified as "poor" for the fifth year in a row under EU standards.
Dublin City Council indicated in January if it failed to meet the minimum standards for a fifth consecutive year, a "permanent prohibition" on bathing will be put in place.
Overall, however, bathing water quality improved across the country in 2019.
READ MORE
The main findings were:
– 95 per cent of bathing waters (140 of 147) met or exceeded the minimum required standard, up from 94 per cent in 2018;
– 107 (73 per cent) were classified as “excellent”, up from 103;
– 24 (16 per cent) were classified as “good”, up from 22;
– Nine (6 per cent) were classified as “sufficient”, down from 12.
EPA director Dr Micheál Lehane said: "Declassification of Merrion Strand after five years at poor status is disappointing and action must be taken to ensure no other bathing water is declassified in future."
Portrane (the Brook) beach in Co Dublin; Ballyloughane and Clifden beaches in Co Galway and Lilliput at Lough Ennell, Co Westmeath, were also deemed poor. The Brook beach and Ballyloughane risk being declassified next year as they have failed to meet minimum standards for the fourth year in a row.
The main difficulty at Merrion strand is the impact from two polluted streams which flow on to the beach; the Elm Park and Trimleston streams.
They are polluted due to misconnections where domestic plumbing goes into the wrong pipe and goes directly into the stream; leaks, spills and overflows from wastewater collection systems and run-off from roads. Other potential pollution sources include urban wastewater discharges, birds and dogs.
A new task force set up by Dublin City Council is focusing on improving bathing water quality at Merrion strand and Sandymount strand.
Dublin City Council is also working with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Irish Water to address pollution sources related to the wastewater network including misconnections, combined sewer overflows and pumping station overflows.
Pollution incidents
Dublin City Council is investigating the possibility of creating wetlands to improve water quality in the Elm Park stream, while a €9.2 million research project called Acclimatize aims to identify the main sources of pollution in the Dublin Bay area.
Ongoing difficulties at the nearby Ringsend wastewater treatment works, which is operating at overcapacity and not in compliance with EU environmental regulations, are dealt with under the EPA urban wastewater treatment report. If problems there are cause for concern at Merrion strand, precautionary advice is issued to the public, confirmed EPA programme manager Mary Gurrie.
Pollution incidents reported to the EPA decreased from 55 in 2018 to 50. Fifteen of these were related to problems at wastewater treatment plants but “do not appear to have caused a deterioration in bathing water quality”.
“More improvements in operation, management and maintenance of plants and networks are still needed,” the report warns.
Three bathing waters, all in Dublin, were classified for the first time: the Forty Foot, Sandycove (classified as "excellent"), White Rock Beach in Killiney ("excellent") and Sandycove Beach ("good"). Inchydoney East Beach in Co Cork and Cúas Crom, Co Kerry, will be classified later this year.
“Ireland has many beautiful beaches. Enjoying these natural amenities can be good for our physical and mental wellbeing, and it is therefore essential that Ireland maintains good bathing water quality,” Ms Gurrie added.
Throughout the summer water quality information and details of any incidents affecting bathing waters are displayed at www.beaches.ieThe bathing water report is available on the EPA's website.


theirishtimes--2020-05-25--CAO Q&A: Everything you need to know about the change of mind process

Now that the Leaving Cert has been cancelled and you have no further contact with your teachers in school ( due to Department of Education guidelines ) it is now time to review your course choices - and get them right .
Here ’ s some advice on how to handle the Central Applications Office ( CAO ) process .
Q .
Why is now a good time to reassess my CAO options ?
A .
When you made your initial CAO application you were probably focused on preparations for your mocks or Post Leaving Cert ( PLC ) programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those pressures , and you have just over a month to finalise your list of course choices .
Many applicants use the initial CAO application in January as a holding exercise , to secure access to a college place in September .
It will soon be time for you to submit a definitive list of options .
Ask yourself which course or courses will build on your interests and aptitudes and enhance your capacity to enter the labour market at the end of third level .
Q .
How should I go about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be aware of the courses on offer .
The CAO handbook for 2020-21 was printed in the summer of 2019 and is based on information from the colleges that operate through the CAO system .
Since then , the colleges have withdrawn , amended or added many courses .
The CAO website , cao.ie , has an up-to-date list of these amendments .
To examine the current list of courses on offer through the CAO , including programme details , check qualifax.ie .
A drop-down menu classifies every course under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agriculture and horticulture ; architecture ; art and design ; arts and social science ; built environment ; dentistry ; education ; engineering and technology ; human medicine ; law ; nursing ; other healthcare ; pharmacy ; physiotherapy ; science ; applied science ; and veterinary medicine .
Explore your options within these classifications .
No matter what points you get following the grade assessment process now taking place in your school , or through your PLC course , there are courses on offer from colleges at higher certificate and both ordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your circumstances .
Q. I know where to find information on all the courses ; how do I apply it to myself ?
A .
Most students have been through this process with their school guidance counsellor over the past year .
If you are still uncertain , follow these steps : * Take the interest assessment test on qualifax.ie and careersportal.ie and see if they highlight any areas of particular interest to you .
* Reread the results of other interest inventory or differential aptitude tests you undertook in the past two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the direction of one or more of the 17 course groupings listed .
* Look at your results over the past few years , including the results of your Junior Certificate .
Are you performing above your average in one or more subjects ?
These may be the ones to pursue on an undergraduate course .
* Reflect on any work experience in transition year or the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme ( LCVP ) to see whether it enthused or discouraged your interest in an occupation or career path .
* Reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past two years .
Which ones did you enjoy studying most ?
The answers to all these questions may help you to narrow your course choices down to a relatively small number of options .
Q .
Where can I find career-specific information to help me to finalise my choices ?
A .
One of the most helpful resources for exploring career options is the Careers Portal website ( careersportal.ie ) .
This site also has an ‘ interest inventory ’ which will help match your courses to areas you are interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well open your mind to possibilities you hadn ’ t considered .
Many of us have preconceived notions , which are often inaccurate , of what particular occupations involve .
If you are interested in listening to people talk about what a particular job really entails , the site has more than 100 employees of major Irish employers talking about the realities of their day-to-day work .
Having access to a site where employers are promoting opportunities in their companies or industry is of benefit to those interested in the labour market , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or adult CAO applicants considering a career change .
Remember , cao.ie features links to all colleges offering places , as well as the online application system to register the change-of-mind option .
Q .
Must all applicants get involved in the change-of-mind process ?
A .
Yes , all applicants need to review their application before the CAO deadline of 5.15pm on July 1st .
Q .
What if I am happy with the choices I made in January ?
A .
If you ’ re comfortable with your initial choice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to do is check your list against the latest published list of courses on offer from the CAO .
Ensure that all your courses are still on offer and that there are no new ones that you might like to consider .
Make sure you still meet all the subject , levels and entry requirements .
If you are uncertain about these , go to the subject-choice module on the Qualifax website , where the entry requirements for all courses are outlined .
If , for example , you have informed your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher to ordinary level maths , you may have forgotten that a grade H4 at higher level is a minimum requirement for some choices .
If some courses are no longer open to you , remove them now from your CAO course list .
After reviewing your choices , if you are happy with your application , you need take no further action .
You do not need to communicate in any way with the CAO .
Q. I applied for the five Level 8 medical-degree programmes and took my Hpat assessment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
A .
You will have the result of your Hpat test by now or be about to receive it .
This assessment is marked out of 300 .
Your assessed grades converted into CAO points , up to a maximum of 550 points , plus one extra point for every five you score over 550 - up to the maximum CAO score of 625 - will be added to your Hpat score , to give a possible maximum score of 865 points .
Applicants with the highest combined points will secure a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering medical degrees .
I would advise anyone who has used up their first five Level 8 choices to list undergraduate medical degrees to use options six to 10 to list five other degree programmes , which you may consider if you do not get a place in medicine .
Every year more than 1,000 CAO applicants with more than 500 points don ’ t get any offer because they didn ’ t list any course with fewer than 500 points .
Remember , any graduate with a 2:1 or better in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postgraduate medical place by taking the Gamsat ( Graduate Medical School Admissions Test ) test .
This may be an alternative route into medicine if you fail to secure a place this year .
Q .
What if I want to change my order of preference or add new course choices to my existing CAO application ?
A .
Many students in the middle of sixth year are unclear about what they want to study at college and use the January application as a holding exercise .
Now is the time to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you are not selecting an occupation for the rest of your life .
You are just choosing areas of academic study that you would enjoy over the next three or four years .
Remember , up to 40 per cent of all undergraduates take a postgrad course immediately after their undergrad studies , to move onto the first step on their career ladder .
Now , however , is not the time to contemplate that step , which may be five or six years away , depending on the course you study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply record online the change I wish to make on my application record ?
A .
If you want to make any adjustment to either or both lists , you must re-submit the entire list in the order you now want .
If you list only the extra course or courses , your original choices disappear from your application .
Finally , if you wish to change your application , or if you didn ’ t list any course on your January application and are listing some courses for the first time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1st deadline .
Q .
Is it too late to apply for a college place through the CAO in the coming academic year ?
A .
It is too late to apply to the CAO , as the final deadline was May 1st for those seeking a first-year undergraduate place for the first time .
* If you are a registered college student and fail your exams in June , or wish to change your course , you have until July 22nd to apply to the CAO .
* For second-level or PLC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a CAO place , note that once the colleges know how many applicants they have for each course after the July 1st deadline , they will seek applications for available or vacant places , which will then be listed on the CAO website .
* Such vacant places are normally offered immediately after the CAO first round offers in August .
Any applicant , including new applicants , can register any such courses on their existing or new CAO application .

Planning on starting college in September? It will soon be time for you to submit a definitive list of course options as the CAO’s Change of Mind deadline approaches.
Now that the Leaving Cert has been cancelled and you have no further contact with your teachers in school (due to Department of Education guidelines) it is now time to review your course choices - and get them right. Here’s some advice on how to handle the Central Applications Office (CAO) process.
Q. Why is now a good time to reassess my CAO options?
A. When you made your initial CAO application you were probably focused on preparations for your mocks or Post Leaving Cert (PLC) programme. Your mind is now free of those pressures, and you have just over a month to finalise your list of course choices.
Many applicants use the initial CAO application in January as a holding exercise, to secure access to a college place in September. It will soon be time for you to submit a definitive list of options. Ask yourself which course or courses will build on your interests and aptitudes and enhance your capacity to enter the labour market at the end of third level.
READ MORE
Q. How should I go about making these choices?
A. You need to be aware of the courses on offer. The CAO handbook for 2020-21 was printed in the summer of 2019 and is based on information from the colleges that operate through the CAO system. Since then, the colleges have withdrawn, amended or added many courses. The CAO website, cao.ie, has an up-to-date list of these amendments. To examine the current list of courses on offer through the CAO, including programme details, check qualifax.ie.
A drop-down menu classifies every course under the following headings: administration and business; agriculture and horticulture; architecture; art and design; arts and social science; built environment; dentistry; education; engineering and technology; human medicine; law; nursing; other healthcare; pharmacy; physiotherapy; science; applied science; and veterinary medicine.
Explore your options within these classifications. No matter what points you get following the grade assessment process now taking place in your school, or through your PLC course, there are courses on offer from colleges at higher certificate and both ordinary and honours degree levels, to suit your circumstances.
Q. I know where to find information on all the courses; how do I apply it to myself?
A. Most students have been through this process with their school guidance counsellor over the past year. If you are still uncertain, follow these steps:
* Take the interest assessment test on qualifax.ie and careersportal.ie and see if they highlight any areas of particular interest to you.
* Reread the results of other interest inventory or differential aptitude tests you undertook in the past two or three years. They may point in the direction of one or more of the 17 course groupings listed.
* Look at your results over the past few years, including the results of your Junior Certificate. Are you performing above your average in one or more subjects? These may be the ones to pursue on an undergraduate course.
* Reflect on any work experience in transition year or the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) to see whether it enthused or discouraged your interest in an occupation or career path.
* Reflect on the subjects you have studied for the past two years. Which ones did you enjoy studying most? The answers to all these questions may help you to narrow your course choices down to a relatively small number of options.
Q. Where can I find career-specific information to help me to finalise my choices?
A. One of the most helpful resources for exploring career options is the Careers Portal website (careersportal.ie). This site also has an 'interest inventory' which will help match your courses to areas you are interested in. The interest inventory results may well open your mind to possibilities you hadn't considered. Many of us have preconceived notions, which are often inaccurate, of what particular occupations involve.
If you are interested in listening to people talk about what a particular job really entails, the site has more than 100 employees of major Irish employers talking about the realities of their day-to-day work. Having access to a site where employers are promoting opportunities in their companies or industry is of benefit to those interested in the labour market, whether school leavers looking down the line or adult CAO applicants considering a career change. Remember, cao.ie features links to all colleges offering places, as well as the online application system to register the change-of-mind option.
Q. Must all applicants get involved in the change-of-mind process?
A. Yes, all applicants need to review their application before the CAO deadline of 5.15pm on July 1st.
Q. What if I am happy with the choices I made in January?
A. If you're comfortable with your initial choice of courses and their order, all you need to do is check your list against the latest published list of courses on offer from the CAO. Ensure that all your courses are still on offer and that there are no new ones that you might like to consider. Make sure you still meet all the subject, levels and entry requirements. If you are uncertain about these, go to the subject-choice module on the Qualifax website, where the entry requirements for all courses are outlined.
If, for example, you have informed your school that you wish to drop from higher to ordinary level maths, you may have forgotten that a grade H4 at higher level is a minimum requirement for some choices. If some courses are no longer open to you, remove them now from your CAO course list.
After reviewing your choices, if you are happy with your application, you need take no further action. You do not need to communicate in any way with the CAO.
Q. I applied for the five Level 8 medical-degree programmes and took my Hpat assessment. Do I need to do anything else?
A. You will have the result of your Hpat test by now or be about to receive it. This assessment is marked out of 300. Your assessed grades converted into CAO points, up to a maximum of 550 points, plus one extra point for every five you score over 550 - up to the maximum CAO score of 625 - will be added to your Hpat score, to give a possible maximum score of 865 points.
Applicants with the highest combined points will secure a place at one of the five colleges offering medical degrees. I would advise anyone who has used up their first five Level 8 choices to list undergraduate medical degrees to use options six to 10 to list five other degree programmes, which you may consider if you do not get a place in medicine.
Every year more than 1,000 CAO applicants with more than 500 points don’t get any offer because they didn’t list any course with fewer than 500 points.
Remember, any graduate with a 2:1 or better in a Level 8 degree can apply for a postgraduate medical place by taking the Gamsat (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) test. This may be an alternative route into medicine if you fail to secure a place this year.
Q. What if I want to change my order of preference or add new course choices to my existing CAO application?
A. Many students in the middle of sixth year are unclear about what they want to study at college and use the January application as a holding exercise. Now is the time to make your final choices but bear in mind that you are not selecting an occupation for the rest of your life. You are just choosing areas of academic study that you would enjoy over the next three or four years.
Remember, up to 40 per cent of all undergraduates take a postgrad course immediately after their undergrad studies, to move onto the first step on their career ladder. Now, however, is not the time to contemplate that step, which may be five or six years away, depending on the course you study.
Q. Is it enough to simply record online the change I wish to make on my application record?
A. If you want to make any adjustment to either or both lists, you must re-submit the entire list in the order you now want. If you list only the extra course or courses, your original choices disappear from your application.
Finally, if you wish to change your application, or if you didn’t list any course on your January application and are listing some courses for the first time, do it some days before the July 1st deadline.
Q. Is it too late to apply for a college place through the CAO in the coming academic year?
A. It is too late to apply to the CAO, as the final deadline was May 1st for those seeking a first-year undergraduate place for the first time.
* If you are a registered college student and fail your exams in June, or wish to change your course, you have until July 22nd to apply to the CAO.
* For second-level or PLC students who have not yet applied for a CAO place, note that once the colleges know how many applicants they have for each course after the July 1st deadline, they will seek applications for available or vacant places, which will then be listed on the CAO website.
* Such vacant places are normally offered immediately after the CAO first round offers in August. Any applicant, including new applicants, can register any such courses on their existing or new CAO application.