theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Woulfe not ‘sufficiently vigilant’ about position as a new Supreme Court judge, report finds

Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe was not “ sufficiently vigilant ” about his position as a newly-appointed Supreme Court judge when he accepted an invitation to the Golfgate Clifden dinner , former Chief Justice , Susan Denham has said .
He had “ failed to consider ” whether his attendance “ in the middle of a pandemic , might be an impropriety , or might create the appearance of an impropriety , to reasonable members of the public ” .
However , she found that Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s vigilance as a newly-appointed judge was not yet fully honed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erupted .
A judge has to take care that his or her conduct , on or off the Bench , does not undermine the independence of the judiciary , either by an inappropriate action or by the appearance of an inappropriate action , she said .
However , he had done nothing “ involving impropriety such as would justify calls for his resignation from office , she wrote : “ Such a step would be unjust and disproportionate.
” Believing that the dinner complied with existing Covid-19 regulations , she said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him to do so since the room had 45 diners and then existing rules barred gatherings of more than 50 .
“ Mr Justice Woulfe got caught up in a media controversy over the dinner in Clifden .
He was reported negatively in the media , and this reflected negatively on the Supreme Court , which is a collegiate court.
” “ There is a great difference between four people sitting down together after a game of golf to have a bite to eat , and a larger formal celebratory dinner in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prize giving , during a pandemic.
” She disagreed with Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s view that it would have been ridiculous for him to have consulted the Chief Justice , Frank Clarke , on the matter , on the evening of the dinner .
Mr Justice Woulfe , she heard , was “ absolutely dumbfounded ” to learn later that Dara Calleary had resigned as a minister .
New rules had been announced , he knew , but they would not come into force for some days .

Mr Justice Woulfe’s vigilance as a newly-appointed judge was not yet fully honed into the judicial sphere when the August controversy erupted, report found. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe was not "sufficiently vigilant" about his position as a newly-appointed Supreme Court judge when he accepted an invitation to the Golfgate Clifden dinner, former Chief Justice, Susan Denham has said.
He had “failed to consider” whether his attendance “in the middle of a pandemic, might be an impropriety, or might create the appearance of an impropriety, to reasonable members of the public”.
However, she found that Mr Justice Woulfe’s vigilance as a newly-appointed judge was not yet fully honed into the judicial sphere when the August controversy erupted.
A judge has to take care that his or her conduct, on or off the Bench, does not undermine the independence of the judiciary, either by an inappropriate action or by the appearance of an inappropriate action, she said.
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However, he had done nothing “ involving impropriety such as would justify calls for his resignation from office, she wrote: “Such a step would be unjust and disproportionate.”
Believing that the dinner complied with existing Covid-19 regulations, she said, adding that it “was not unreasonable” for him to do so since the room had 45 diners and then existing rules barred gatherings of more than 50.
“Mr Justice Woulfe got caught up in a media controversy over the dinner in Clifden. He was reported negatively in the media, and this reflected negatively on the Supreme Court, which is a collegiate court.”
“There is a great difference between four people sitting down together after a game of golf to have a bite to eat, and a larger formal celebratory dinner in a hotel, with speeches and a prize giving, during a pandemic.”
She disagreed with Mr Justice Woulfe's view that it would have been ridiculous for him to have consulted the Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, on the matter, on the evening of the dinner.
Mr Justice Woulfe, she heard , was "absolutely dumbfounded" to learn later that Dara Calleary had resigned as a minister. New rules had been announced, he knew, but they would not come into force for some days.


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Ireland to accept 50 more refugees from Greece following Moria fire

Fifty women , men and children are to be relocated from Greece to Ireland following the fire in the Moria refugee camp on the island of Lesbos last month , the Minister for Justice has said .
In a video posted on Twitter on Thursday afternoon , Helen McEntee announced she had approved that 50 asylum seekers “ within family units ” be brought to Ireland “ where they can hopefully begin to start a new life in a much safer environment ” .
A total of 1,022 people have been brought to Ireland under the relocation strand of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The minister noted Ireland had also agreed to accept an additional 36 unaccompanied minors from Greece , “ the beginning number of which came earlier on this summer ” .
The minister ’ s announcement follows the launch of the 400 Welcomes campaign earlier this week , which is calling on the Government to urgently evacuate 400 people from the burnt-out Moria camp .
The all-female campaign group , which is made up of doctors , teachers , writers , community and social care workers and musicians who have worked with refugees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of political will ” in Government to support families stranded on the Greek island .
Earlier , Caoimhe Butterly , a humanitarian worker and trainee psychotherapist who is helping to co-ordinate the campaign , said all 20 members of the group had “ witnessed the cruelty and inhumane conditions ” in refugee camps in Greece and across Europe and were “ deeply disappointed ” by the Government ’ s initial announcement that it was fast-tracking the arrival of just four unaccompanied minors following the Moria fire .
Ms Butterly warned that dreadful conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the European consciousness , adding that there is an onus on the Irish Government to respond to the “ profound injustices ” facing refugees .
The campaign ’ s decision to select 400 as the number for relocation was “ an iteration of the Irish 100,000 welcomes ” and a figure viewed as “ reasonable ” and “ doable ” .
The group ’ s campaign , which helps people contact their local TD calling for the relocation of 400 people , has been signed by more than 14,000 people over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us involved feel that the Mediterranean and Aegean sea have become conceptually further and further away for people in Ireland .
We ’ re calling on the Government to proactively respond with both courage and compassion.
” Dr Claire Dunne , an Irish doctor who has been working intermittently with refugees on Lesbos since May 2019 and has remained on the island throughout the Covid pandemic , said the Government ’ s initial offer to take four unaccompanied minors from the burnt out camp was “ completely inadequate ” .
Dr Dunne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise awareness of the “ devastating impact ” conditions in Moria , both before and after the fire , were having on people .
She added that the new camp being built on the island was “ in many ways even worse ” .
“ A new Moria camp is not the answer , ” she said .
“ People need to be urgently evacuated , we can not start this cycle all over again.
” There are currently around 9,000 people in the new makeshift camp where there is no running water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dire state ” , she said .
“ There is a completely inadequate number of toilets or showers and many women say they have no safe space to wash or use the toilet at night.
” With temperatures dropping as winter approaches , this new camp , which is on the water ’ s edge , is dangerously exposed to the elements , she added .
“ Given the severe mental health conditions we see frequently in children here including panic attacks , developmental regression , self harming behaviour and suicidal ideation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term impacts of being contained in camps such as this on children ’ s health , ” said Dr Dunne .
“ The Irish Government needs to step up and help , we can do so much better .
”

Remains of the burnt-out Moria migrant camp on the Greek Aegean island of Lesbos. Photograph: Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP Remains of the burnt-out Moria migrant camp on the Greek Aegean island of Lesbos. Photograph: Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP
Fifty women, men and children are to be relocated from Greece to Ireland following the fire in the Moria refugee camp on the island of Lesbos last month, the Minister for Justice has said.
In a video posted on Twitter on Thursday afternoon, Helen McEntee announced she had approved that 50 asylum seekers “within family units” be brought to Ireland “where they can hopefully begin to start a new life in a much safer environment”.
A total of 1,022 people have been brought to Ireland under the relocation strand of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme since 2015. The minister noted Ireland had also agreed to accept an additional 36 unaccompanied minors from Greece, “the beginning number of which came earlier on this summer”.
The minister’s announcement follows the launch of the 400 Welcomes campaign earlier this week, which is calling on the Government to urgently evacuate 400 people from the burnt-out Moria camp. The all-female campaign group, which is made up of doctors, teachers, writers, community and social care workers and musicians who have worked with refugees, has warned of a “concerning lack of political will” in Government to support families stranded on the Greek island.
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Earlier, Caoimhe Butterly, a humanitarian worker and trainee psychotherapist who is helping to co-ordinate the campaign, said all 20 members of the group had "witnessed the cruelty and inhumane conditions" in refugee camps in Greece and across Europe and were "deeply disappointed" by the Government's initial announcement that it was fast-tracking the arrival of just four unaccompanied minors following the Moria fire.
Ms Butterly warned that dreadful conditions in camps had become "normalised" in the European consciousness, adding that there is an onus on the Irish Government to respond to the "profound injustices" facing refugees.
The campaign’s decision to select 400 as the number for relocation was “an iteration of the Irish 100,000 welcomes” and a figure viewed as “reasonable” and “doable”.
The group’s campaign, which helps people contact their local TD calling for the relocation of 400 people, has been signed by more than 14,000 people over the past two days.
“A lot of us involved feel that the Mediterranean and Aegean sea have become conceptually further and further away for people in Ireland. We’re calling on the Government to proactively respond with both courage and compassion.”
Dr Claire Dunne, an Irish doctor who has been working intermittently with refugees on Lesbos since May 2019 and has remained on the island throughout the Covid pandemic, said the Government’s initial offer to take four unaccompanied minors from the burnt out camp was “completely inadequate”.
Dr Dunne said she had joined the campaign to raise awareness of the “devastating impact” conditions in Moria, both before and after the fire, were having on people. She added that the new camp being built on the island was “in many ways even worse”.
“A new Moria camp is not the answer,” she said. “People need to be urgently evacuated, we cannot start this cycle all over again.”
There are currently around 9,000 people in the new makeshift camp where there is no running water and sanitation is in “a completely dire state”, she said. “There is a completely inadequate number of toilets or showers and many women say they have no safe space to wash or use the toilet at night.”
With temperatures dropping as winter approaches, this new camp, which is on the water’s edge, is dangerously exposed to the elements, she added.
“Given the severe mental health conditions we see frequently in children here including panic attacks, developmental regression, self harming behaviour and suicidal ideation, we are very concerned about the long term impacts of being contained in camps such as this on children’s health,” said Dr Dunne. “The Irish Government needs to step up and help, we can do so much better.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Families of St John of God residents concerned over HSE takeover

Families of those in residential disability centres run by St John of God have expressed concerns with the Health Service Executive taking over responsibility for services , due to a funding crisis at the charity .
Declan Leavy ( 50 ) is intellectually and physically disabled and has lived in an institutional care setting for much of the last 30 years .
Two years ago he was moved from a large congregated facility in Drumcar , to a small community home in Ardee , Co Louth .
The bungalow he shares with three other residents is run by St John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walsh , said the move had a “ huge impact ” on his quality of life .
“ He is part of the community in Ardee , everyone knows him , ” she told The Irish Times .
SJOG Community Services is funded by the HSE to provide disability and mental health services to 8,000 children and adults , and employs 2,500 staff .
On Wednesday the organisation notified the HSE it had decided to cease running the majority of its healthcare services , due to a funding crisis , and would transfer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice period .
The organisation ’ s financial deficit had reached €37.7 million , amid underfunding from the HSE in recent years , it said .
Ms Walsh said news of the transfer of services from SJOG to the HSE had caused concern among residents ’ families .
“ Declan needs to be fed , dressed , groomed , washed , ” she said , and as such relied massively on SJOG staff .
He is brought to do his shopping each week , and enjoys country music nights in Ardee , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried , he ’ s flourished in the setting that he ’ s in , will there be an interruption to that , ” she said .
“ I would be worried that he wouldn ’ t have his own key worker or the same staff .
Any change is difficult , especially for someone like Declan , ” his older sister said .
Ms Walsh said she had been contacted by a number of other families concerned about whether existing standards of care would be maintained following the transfer to the HSE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he retained the same care staff , who he was comfortable with and understood his needs , she said .
Any cuts to existing services or staffing levels would be a big concern for the families of residents in disability centres , Ms Walsh said .
“ I just want to ensure that his wonderful life [ in Ardee ] , that that is maintained , ” she said .

Declan Leavy (50) is a resident in a St John of God home in Ardee, Co Louth. Photo: Paula Walsh
Families of those in residential disability centres run by St John of God have expressed concerns with the Health Service Executive taking over responsibility for services, due to a funding crisis at the charity.
Declan Leavy (50) is intellectually and physically disabled and has lived in an institutional care setting for much of the last 30 years.
Two years ago he was moved from a large congregated facility in Drumcar, to a small community home in Ardee, Co Louth. The bungalow he shares with three other residents is run by St John of God.
His sister, Paula Walsh, said the move had a “huge impact” on his quality of life. “He is part of the community in Ardee, everyone knows him,” she told The Irish Times.
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SJOG Community Services is funded by the HSE to provide disability and mental health services to 8,000 children and adults, and employs 2,500 staff.
On Wednesday the organisation notified the HSE it had decided to cease running the majority of its healthcare services, due to a funding crisis, and would transfer responsibility to the HSE following a 12-month notice period.
The organisation’s financial deficit had reached €37.7 million, amid underfunding from the HSE in recent years, it said.
Ms Walsh said news of the transfer of services from SJOG to the HSE had caused concern among residents’ families.
‘Any change is difficult’
“Declan needs to be fed, dressed, groomed, washed,” she said, and as such relied massively on SJOG staff. He is brought to do his shopping each week, and enjoys country music nights in Ardee, she said.
“I’d be worried, he’s flourished in the setting that he’s in, will there be an interruption to that,” she said.
“I would be worried that he wouldn’t have his own key worker or the same staff. Any change is difficult, especially for someone like Declan,” his older sister said.
Ms Walsh said she had been contacted by a number of other families concerned about whether existing standards of care would be maintained following the transfer to the HSE.
For Declan, it was crucial that he retained the same care staff, who he was comfortable with and understood his needs, she said.
Any cuts to existing services or staffing levels would be a big concern for the families of residents in disability centres, Ms Walsh said. “I just want to ensure that his wonderful life [in Ardee], that that is maintained,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Corporate relations manager sues UCD over neck injury

A corporate relations manager who claims she injured her neck as she attempted to pick up a box of information leaflets at an event in Budapest to promote UCD has sued the university in the High Court .
Jacqueline Ashmore ( 57 ) told the court she felt “ overwhelming and extreme pain ” in her neck when she lifted the box eight inches from the ground at the UCD stand at a Hungarian university .
“ Something awful had happened , there was this horrendous pain .
I knew it was the box .
It was like somebody had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought I was going to vomit , ” she said .
Ms Ashmore , who worked for UCD for 24 years , and whose case includes a claim for loss of earnings and pension totalling over €700,000 , had to stand in the witness box at times as she gave her evidence .
She claims she has been left with complex pain syndrome , has pain in her neck and down one side of her body , and a condition which means her neck is tilted to the right .
Before the accident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and walk and had a stepper in her office .
Now , she feeds the birds in her garden , listens to audio books and watches TV .
“ I have a PhD in Only Fools and Horses , ” she told Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy .
Ms Ashmore was in Budapest in November 2016 as UCD sought corporate partners .
After dropping the box , she got somebody to open it and spread some brochures on the desk and she worked for an hour “ taking deep breaths ” , she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & E on her return to Dublin .
Opening her case , Diarmuid P O ’ Donovan SC , with Declan Buckley SC , said Ms Ashmore ’ s life has been turned upside down by the accident .
“ She has become a virtual recluse in her own home .
She would love to work but she is not able .
It has severely damaged her life , ” he said .
Ms Ashmore , from Santry , Dublin has sued her employer , UCD , as a result of the accident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a corporate relations manager , she attended Corvinus University , Budapest , on behalf of UCD .
It is claimed she attempted to lift the box of information brochures which were stored under the UCD table and suffered immediate pain in her neck and back .
She claims a box full of material was provided which was too heavy for her and caused injury .
She has further alleged failure to adequately , or at all , notify her of the weight of the box and to provide her with any or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of loads , safety and health and welfare at work .
UCD has denied the claims and pleads contributory negligence by Ms Ashmore in allegedly failing to take account of any hazard represented by the weight or size of the box and in failing to simply remove the brochures from the box without having to lift the box .

The case of the woman who worked for UCD for 24 years includes a claim for loss of earnings and pension totalling over €700,000.
A corporate relations manager who claims she injured her neck as she attempted to pick up a box of information leaflets at an event in Budapest to promote UCD has sued the university in the High Court.
Jacqueline Ashmore (57) told the court she felt “overwhelming and extreme pain” in her neck when she lifted the box eight inches from the ground at the UCD stand at a Hungarian university.
“Something awful had happened, there was this horrendous pain. I knew it was the box. It was like somebody had stabbed me in the neck. I thought I was going to vomit,” she said.
Ms Ashmore, who worked for UCD for 24 years, and whose case includes a claim for loss of earnings and pension totalling over €700,000, had to stand in the witness box at times as she gave her evidence.
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She claims she has been left with complex pain syndrome, has pain in her neck and down one side of her body, and a condition which means her neck is tilted to the right.
Before the accident, she said she liked to run and walk and had a stepper in her office. Now, she feeds the birds in her garden, listens to audio books and watches TV. “I have a PhD in Only Fools and Horses,” she told Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy.
Ms Ashmore was in Budapest in November 2016 as UCD sought corporate partners. After dropping the box, she got somebody to open it and spread some brochures on the desk and she worked for an hour “taking deep breaths”, she said.
She went to Beaumont Hospital A&E on her return to Dublin.
Opening her case, Diarmuid P O’Donovan SC, with Declan Buckley SC, said Ms Ashmore’s life has been turned upside down by the accident.
“She has become a virtual recluse in her own home. She would love to work but she is not able. It has severely damaged her life,” he said.
Ms Ashmore, from Santry, Dublin has sued her employer, UCD, as a result of the accident on November 16th, 2012 when, as a corporate relations manager, she attended Corvinus University, Budapest, on behalf of UCD.
It is claimed she attempted to lift the box of information brochures which were stored under the UCD table and suffered immediate pain in her neck and back.
She claims a box full of material was provided which was too heavy for her and caused injury.
She has further alleged failure to adequately, or at all, notify her of the weight of the box and to provide her with any or any adequate training in the manual handling of loads , safety and health and welfare at work.
UCD has denied the claims and pleads contributory negligence by Ms Ashmore in allegedly failing to take account of any hazard represented by the weight or size of the box and in failing to simply remove the brochures from the box without having to lift the box.
The case continues on Friday.


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Judicial conduct code must be introduced as ‘matter of urgency’ – Denham

A code of judicial conduct and judicial ethical guidelines should be introduced “ as a matter of urgency , ” the former Chief Justice Susan Denham has recommended .
Ms Justice Denham said in her report that if there had been an introductory programme for newly appointed judges and judicial guidelines in place at the time of the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner , they would have “ greatly assisted ” Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe in deciding whether to attend .
“ It is highly unlikely that this situation would have occurred , ” she concluded .
She found that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woulfe not attended the golf dinner because “ judicial vigilance , to avoid actions which might give rise to a risk of controversy , which could impact the Supreme Court , is an important matter.
” The former chief justice concluded that Mr Justice Woulfe was a newly appointed judge of the court and that it appears “ his vigilance was not yet fully honed into the judicial sphere.
” “ He had not yet had the benefit of an introductory programme or read any comparative judicial guidelines or codes of conduct of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
“ A member of the judiciary has to be vigilant both in court and in activities outside the court .
This vigilance is necessary to avoid impropriety and to avoid the perception of impropriety in all activities.
” Ms Justice Denham noted that Mr Justice Woulfe was given no documents relating to judicial conduct “ by the Supreme Court , the Association of Justices of Ireland or anyone.
” He did realise “ in a broad sense ” there were restrictions on judges , which was why he asked the Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Oireachtas Golf Society event , she said .
The last government passed the Judicial Council Act in December 2019 that will establish a code of judicial conduct and guidelines for judicial behaviour .
While the council has been established under law , the council ’ s Judicial Conduct Committee has 12 months from its establishment last July to devise guidelines before a code comes into effect .
Ms Justice Denham said “ as a consequence of the excessive delay ” in establishing a judicial council in Ireland there is a “ wealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judicial Conduct Committee .
” The retired judge refers to publications on judicial ethics dating as far back as 1988 and to judicial ethnical guidelines and codes of conduct in Australia , Canada , Scotland , Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK .
She said that the 2002 Bangalore Principles – an international guide on judicial ethics endorsed by the UN Human Rights Commission in 2003 – “ provide an excellent foundation upon which to commence drafting guidelines for the Irish judiciary .
”

Susan Denham said in her report that if there had been an introductory programme for newly appointed judges and guidelines in place at the time of the dinner, they would have ‘greatly assisted’ Seamus Woulfe in deciding whether to attend. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times
A code of judicial conduct and judicial ethical guidelines should be introduced "as a matter of urgency," the former Chief Justice Susan Denham has recommended.
Ms Justice Denham said in her report that if there had been an introductory programme for newly appointed judges and judicial guidelines in place at the time of the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner, they would have "greatly assisted" Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe in deciding whether to attend.
“It is highly unlikely that this situation would have occurred,” she concluded.
She found that it would have been better had Mr Justice Woulfe not attended the golf dinner because "judicial vigilance, to avoid actions which might give rise to a risk of controversy, which could impact the Supreme Court, is an important matter."
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The former chief justice concluded that Mr Justice Woulfe was a newly appointed judge of the court and that it appears “his vigilance was not yet fully honed into the judicial sphere.”
“He had not yet had the benefit of an introductory programme or read any comparative judicial guidelines or codes of conduct of other jurisdictions,” Ms Justice Denham wrote.
“A member of the judiciary has to be vigilant both in court and in activities outside the court. This vigilance is necessary to avoid impropriety and to avoid the perception of impropriety in all activities.”
Code of conduct
Ms Justice Denham noted that Mr Justice Woulfe was given no documents relating to judicial conduct "by the Supreme Court, the Association of Justices of Ireland or anyone."
He did realise “in a broad sense” there were restrictions on judges, which was why he asked the Chief Justice his view in advance of attending the Oireachtas Golf Society event, she said.
The last government passed the Judicial Council Act in December 2019 that will establish a code of judicial conduct and guidelines for judicial behaviour.
While the council has been established under law, the council's Judicial Conduct Committee has 12 months from its establishment last July to devise guidelines before a code comes into effect.
Ms Justice Denham said "as a consequence of the excessive delay" in establishing a judicial council in Ireland there is a "wealth of relevant comparative examples for the Irish Judicial Conduct Committee. "
The retired judge refers to publications on judicial ethics dating as far back as 1988 and to judicial ethnical guidelines and codes of conduct in Australia, Canada, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
She said that the 2002 Bangalore Principles – an international guide on judicial ethics endorsed by the UN Human Rights Commission in 2003 – “provide an excellent foundation upon which to commence drafting guidelines for the Irish judiciary.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Leaving Cert Q&A: Could there be further errors in coding process?

So how , exactly , did the errors occur ?
Two errors were discovered in the coding process or algorithm used to implement the standardisation process affecting the results of at least 6,500 students .
This standardisation process adjusted teachers ’ estimated grades up or down for reasons of consistency based on a number of factors .
The first error was in a line of code programmed by Canadian firm Polymetrika International Inc .
The error affected the way in which candidates ’ Junior Cycle results were used in the standardisation process .
A second error also related to Junior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results for a subject – Civic , Social and Political Education ( CSPE ) – that were not supposed to have been used in the first place .
Why were Junior Cycle results being used in the first place ?
These results were used to build a picture on the likely collective performance of an individual class in the Leaving Cert .
The team behind the calculated grades model concluded that Junior Cert exam results were strong predictors of Leaving Cert performance , but were inadequate by themselves to estimate individual student performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage , they felt they provided a useful means of determining the objective performance of classes and schools .
So , how did the errors impact on students ’ final results ?
It was intended that the students ’ aggregate Junior Cycle results in Irish , English and maths would be included in the data used by the national standardisation process , together with their two best other subjects .
However , the error meant students ’ results in their two weakest subjects ended up being used .
As a result , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were lower than they should have been and some received grades that were higher .
Was that the only error ?
No .
A second error was discovered while performing checks related to rectifying the first error .
It meant Junior Cycle results for the subject CSPE were included in error in the data mentioned above .
This subject was not supposed to be used in the standardisation process .
This also impacted on some students ’ grades .
How were these errors uncovered in the first place ?
Minister for Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered the error on Tuesday night of last week and alerted the Department of Education shortly afterwards .
Officials say the error was discovered when data for the Leaving Cert Applied grades were being processed .
So , how many have been affected , exactly ?
The precise number of students who will receive higher grades will not be available until a series of verification checks are completed .
This will likely take until the end of this week .
However , the department says its likely to be in the region of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be moved up a single grade , which at higher level is the equivalent of about 10 CAO points .
No student will receive a reduced grade in any subject as a result of this process .
Why were just 6,500 , or 10 per cent , of students affected ?
We don ’ t know yet for sure .
It is likely that either the coding errors affected a subset of classes or schools ; it is also possible that the errors affected the marks of all students – but only enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Again , we don ’ t know for sure yet .
Could there be further errors ?
The errors we know about are being rectified .
The department says it has carried out a series of further checks and has identified no further errors in the coding .
As a further step , it has contracted ETS Educational Testing Service , a US firm which specialises in educational measurement , to review essential aspects of the coding .
It says the results data have now been re-run through the corrected model .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ code by ETS is expected to take a number of days .
Once this is completed , the department will have full information on which students will benefit from the improved grades and the specific subjects involved for each student .

The precise number of students who will receive higher grades will not be available until a series of verification checks are completed. Photograph: The Irish Times
So how, exactly, did the errors occur?
Two errors were discovered in the coding process or algorithm used to implement the standardisation process affecting the results of at least 6,500 students.
This standardisation process adjusted teachers’ estimated grades up or down for reasons of consistency based on a number of factors.
The first error was in a line of code programmed by Canadian firm Polymetrika International Inc.
READ MORE
The error affected the way in which candidates' Junior Cycle results were used in the standardisation process.
A second error also related to Junior Cycle: it involved the use of results for a subject – Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) – that were not supposed to have been used in the first place.
Why were Junior Cycle results being used in the first place?
These results were used to build a picture on the likely collective performance of an individual class in the Leaving Cert.
The team behind the calculated grades model concluded that Junior Cert exam results were strong predictors of Leaving Cert performance, but were inadequate by themselves to estimate individual student performance.
However, because of their near-universal coverage, they felt they provided a useful means of determining the objective performance of classes and schools.
So, how did the errors impact on students’ final results?
It was intended that the students' aggregate Junior Cycle results in Irish, English and maths would be included in the data used by the national standardisation process, together with their two best other subjects.
However, the error meant students' results in their two weakest subjects ended up being used.
As a result, in some subjects, students received calculated grades that were lower than they should have been and some received grades that were higher.
Was that the only error?
No. A second error was discovered while performing checks related to rectifying the first error.
It meant Junior Cycle results for the subject CSPE were included in error in the data mentioned above. This subject was not supposed to be used in the standardisation process. This also impacted on some students’ grades.
How were these errors uncovered in the first place?
Minister for Education Norma Foley said this week that Polymetrika discovered the error on Tuesday night of last week and alerted the Department of Education shortly afterwards.
Officials say the error was discovered when data for the Leaving Cert Applied grades were being processed.
So, how many have been affected, exactly?
The precise number of students who will receive higher grades will not be available until a series of verification checks are completed. This will likely take until the end of this week. However, the department says its likely to be in the region of 6,500.
The majority of students will be moved up a single grade, which at higher level is the equivalent of about 10 CAO points.
No student will receive a reduced grade in any subject as a result of this process.
Why were just 6,500, or 10 per cent, of students affected?
We don’t know yet for sure. It is likely that either the coding errors affected a subset of classes or schools; it is also possible that the errors affected the marks of all students – but only enough to change the grade in 6,500 cases. Again, we don’t know for sure yet.
Could there be further errors?
The errors we know about are being rectified. The department says it has carried out a series of further checks and has identified no further errors in the coding.
As a further step, it has contracted ETS Educational Testing Service, a US firm which specialises in educational measurement, to review essential aspects of the coding.
It says the results data have now been re-run through the corrected model. The review of relevant aspects of the code by ETS is expected to take a number of days. Once this is completed, the department will have full information on which students will benefit from the improved grades and the specific subjects involved for each student.


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Covid-19 infections from funeral led to a third of one restaurant’s staff self-isolating

Five people contracted Covid-19 at a funeral attended by two positive cases , and one-third of staff then had to self-isolate at the restaurant where the post-burial meal took place .
The case was one of several given by HSE public health officials at a briefing on Thursday .
In one instance , one single case led to 60 others , according to public health doctor Una Fallon , who is based in the midlands .
In the funeral cluster , a son and then his father , who worked with him , tested positive .
When a family member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines , and five other attendees then tested positive .
The funeral party then attended a nearby restaurant for a meal , after which one-third of staff there were deemed close contacts and had to self-isolate .
In another cluster in a school , a student tested positive after cases occurred in their family .
Contract tracing officials ascertained that the case originated from a trip involving young adults and a “ partying setting ” , Dr Fallon said .
Then a second case occurred in the class , involving a student who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room .
Officials questioned the parents involved to see if there was any connection but were unable to establish one .
This made them uneasy , according to Dr Fallon , so they spoke to the school principal , who contacted the teachers .
From one teacher it then emerged that the two students had swapped desks for one class so one could be near the white-board .
Now that the connection was established , and given no-one else was affected , officials determined there was no need to send any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a third example , a case arose in a factory with no obvious cause .
It then emerged that the person involved had moved jobs from a meat plant , so public health officials were satisfied they had identified the source of the infection .
Dr Fallon said contact tracers varied their focus according to the facts of individual investigations ; in some instances , they concentrate on the “ where and how ” , while in others their focus is on preventing onward spread .
Asked about the source of infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s about proximity and congregation and alcohol ” .
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said he understood the growing frustration among the public over the “ continued uncertainty ” surrounding Covid-19 .
But he appealed to people not to blame particular sectors of the economy or society .
At various points , the finger of blame has been pointed at transport , meat plants , direct provision , schools and young people .
“ From our perspective , it just adds to the stigmatisation of some quarters of the economy and society.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 in ICU , Mr Reid said the system was not overwhelmed but the situation was becoming difficult and challenging .
Of the 123 cases hospitalised in the past fortnight , 51 were aged over 65 and 15 were under 35 , he said .
Over 87,000 people were tested last week , with a positivity rate of 2.9 per cent .
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry described the rise in positivity as troubling but said a greater proportion of infections was being captured than earlier in the pandemic .
Testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,300 students and staff being tested as contacts .

Contract tracing officials ascertained that another case originated from a trip involving young adults and a ‘partying setting’, Dr Una Fallon said. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Five people contracted Covid-19 at a funeral attended by two positive cases, and one-third of staff then had to self-isolate at the restaurant where the post-burial meal took place.
The case was one of several given by HSE public health officials at a briefing on Thursday.
In one instance, one single case led to 60 others, according to public health doctor Una Fallon, who is based in the midlands.
Hospital Report
In the funeral cluster, a son and then his father, who worked with him, tested positive. When a family member died, they attended the funeral against guidelines, and five other attendees then tested positive. The funeral party then attended a nearby restaurant for a meal, after which one-third of staff there were deemed close contacts and had to self-isolate.
READ MORE
Parents questioned
In another cluster in a school, a student tested positive after cases occurred in their family. Contract tracing officials ascertained that the case originated from a trip involving young adults and a “partying setting”, Dr Fallon said. Then a second case occurred in the class, involving a student who sat at the other end of the room.
Officials questioned the parents involved to see if there was any connection but were unable to establish one. This made them uneasy, according to Dr Fallon, so they spoke to the school principal, who contacted the teachers. From one teacher it then emerged that the two students had swapped desks for one class so one could be near the white-board.
Now that the connection was established, and given no-one else was affected, officials determined there was no need to send any of the other classes home, she said.
In a third example, a case arose in a factory with no obvious cause. It then emerged that the person involved had moved jobs from a meat plant, so public health officials were satisfied they had identified the source of the infection.
‘Continued uncertainty’
Dr Fallon said contact tracers varied their focus according to the facts of individual investigations; in some instances, they concentrate on the “where and how”, while in others their focus is on preventing onward spread.
Asked about the source of infections, she replied: “It’s about proximity and congregation and alcohol”.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said he understood the growing frustration among the public over the “continued uncertainty” surrounding Covid-19. But he appealed to people not to blame particular sectors of the economy or society.
At various points, the finger of blame has been pointed at transport, meat plants, direct provision, schools and young people. “From our perspective, it just adds to the stigmatisation of some quarters of the economy and society.”
With 121 Covid-19 patients in hospital and 22 in ICU, Mr Reid said the system was not overwhelmed but the situation was becoming difficult and challenging.
Of the 123 cases hospitalised in the past fortnight, 51 were aged over 65 and 15 were under 35, he said.
Over 87,000 people were tested last week, with a positivity rate of 2.9 per cent.
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry described the rise in positivity as troubling but said a greater proportion of infections was being captured than earlier in the pandemic.
Testing has taken place in 183 schools with 1,300 students and staff being tested as contacts.


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--Some mothers highlight post-birth maternity care as needing improvement

The period after birth was highlighted as an area requiring improvement in maternity care , according to according to the first national survey on the issue .
The vast majority of women giving birth in Irish hospitals have a positive experience of maternity care , according to the survey .
Of 3,200 women who responded to the survey , 85 per cent reported either a good or very good experience of maternity care .
Most said they were treated with dignity and respect , and had confidence and trust in staff .
Respondents also spoke highly of the midwives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both in hospital and in the community .
However , 15 per cent of women did not report a positive experience .
The period shortly after birth was highlighted as an area requiring improvement , with some women saying they were not involved as much as they wanted to be in decision about their care after birth .
Others said staff were often too busy to help them or answer their questions .
Some women said that they did not receive the physical , mental and emotional supports that they needed at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance to feed their baby .
The survey arose from a recommendation in the national maternity strategy and was carried out last February and March .
Half of the 6,357 women who delivered babies in 19 maternity units and at home during this period responded .
Women who had previously given birth were more likely to have a positive experience .
Sixty per cent of women said that they were offered a choice of the type of maternity care they would receive .
Women who chose a home birth reported more positive experiences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maternity unit or hospital , though the number of home birth was small .
The national homebirth service , followed by Portiuncula hospital in Ballinasloe , scored highest among women for ante-natal care , and Mayo General Hospital the lowest .
The national homebirth service , followed by St Luke ’ s Hospital in Kilkenny , scored highest for care during labour , though the differences in scores for hospitals were small .
Cavan General Hospital scored highest for care in hospital after the birth , while the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience , 83 per cent of women using the national homebirth service , and 63 per cent of woman attending St Luke ’ s Hospital , rated them “ very good ” .
At University Maternity Hospital Limerick , just 43 per cent rated the experience very good .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said it was important that what works well was now extended right across the system .
“ Learnings from the survey must therefore be disseminated widely and acted upon in a timely manner .
Of course , we must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to women ’ s voices if we are to deliver the safe , compassionate and responsive maternity service that the women of Ireland expect and deserve.
” HSE chief executive Paul Reid said it was committed to making and monitoring changes at a local and national level .
In response to the review , the National Maternity Hospital said most women who gave birth there had a positive overall experience “ The feedback from this survey is very valuable to us and we want to thank all women who took time to participate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nursing and midwifery at hospital .
“ There are areas we need to focus on for improvement , and we have developed a comprehensive Quality Improvement Response to address issues highlighted by our patients .
These survey results will be used to further develop our maternity and neonatal services .
”

Most women said they were treated with dignity and respect, and had confidence and trust in staff. Photograph: iStock
The period after birth was highlighted as an area requiring improvement in maternity care, according to according to the first national survey on the issue.
The vast majority of women giving birth in Irish hospitals have a positive experience of maternity care, according to the survey .
Of 3,200 women who responded to the survey, 85 per cent reported either a good or very good experience of maternity care.
Most said they were treated with dignity and respect, and had confidence and trust in staff. Respondents also spoke highly of the midwives and other staff who cared for them, both in hospital and in the community.
READ MORE
However, 15 per cent of women did not report a positive experience. The period shortly after birth was highlighted as an area requiring improvement, with some women saying they were not involved as much as they wanted to be in decision about their care after birth. Others said staff were often too busy to help them or answer their questions.
Some women said that they did not receive the physical, mental and emotional supports that they needed at this time, and would have liked more assistance to feed their baby.
The survey arose from a recommendation in the national maternity strategy and was carried out last February and March. Half of the 6,357 women who delivered babies in 19 maternity units and at home during this period responded.
Women who had previously given birth were more likely to have a positive experience. Sixty per cent of women said that they were offered a choice of the type of maternity care they would receive. Women who chose a home birth reported more positive experiences than women who gave birth in a maternity unit or hospital, though the number of home birth was small.
The national homebirth service, followed by Portiuncula hospital in Ballinasloe, scored highest among women for ante-natal care, and Mayo General Hospital the lowest.
The national homebirth service, followed by St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny, scored highest for care during labour, though the differences in scores for hospitals were small.
Cavan General Hospital scored highest for care in hospital after the birth, while the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin scored lowest.
Asked about their overall experience, 83 per cent of women using the national homebirth service, and 63 per cent of woman attending St Luke's Hospital, rated them "very good". At University Maternity Hospital Limerick, just 43 per cent rated the experience very good.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said it was important that what works well was now extended right across the system.
"Learnings from the survey must therefore be disseminated widely and acted upon in a timely manner. Of course, we must also ensure that we continue to listen to women's voices if we are to deliver the safe, compassionate and responsive maternity service that the women of Ireland expect and deserve."
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said it was committed to making and monitoring changes at a local and national level.
In response to the review, the National Maternity Hospital said most women who gave birth there had a positive overall experience
“The feedback from this survey is very valuable to us and we want to thank all women who took time to participate”, said Mary Brosnan, director of nursing and midwifery at hospital.
“There are areas we need to focus on for improvement, and we have developed a comprehensive Quality Improvement Response to address issues highlighted by our patients. These survey results will be used to further develop our maternity and neonatal services.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-01--UCC students suspended for breaching public health rules

University College Cork ( UCC ) has confirmed that 11 students have been temporarily suspended following breaches of student rules relating to public health .
The temporary suspensions have been put in place pending the outcome of a hearing , as per the Student Rules .
In a statement UCC say that the vast majority of students have been adhering to national public health guidance .
“ However , UCC can confirm that Campus Watch has received some complaints pertaining to alleged breaches of Student Rules .
Every case is considered on its merits and the principle of natural justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already resolved by Campus Watch through the informal procedures of the UCC Student Rules have yet to be held and UCC therefore is not in a position to comment further on these ongoing cases .
UCC can confirm that in 11 cases a temporary suspension has been put in place pending the outcome of a hearing , as per the Student Rules .
These have been made without prejudice to the hearing process .
Over 50 support services are in place to support students at this time and UCC will continue to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the local authorities at a challenging time for our society .
UCC Campus Watch receives complaints relating to any alleged breaches of the Student Rules .
The Chair of Campus Watch , UCC ’ s Director of Student Experience , considers whether the complaint should be handled by the Campus Watch Committee or by the Student Disciple Panel .
The Campus Watch Committee , comprised of UCC staff and members of the Students ’ Union , primarily hear less serious complaints of alleged breaches of these Rules and will encourage informal resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student has breached college student rules , the student may have an option , in the first instance only , of an informal resolution .
Their options may include completing the in-house educational Bystander Intervention Programme and the Alcohol Education Programme , or completing just one of these two programmes and paying a €25 charitable contribution instead .
Any student who opts out of doing either of these can pay a €75 charitable contribution instead .
UCC says that Campus Watch and and Student Discipline committees are meeting daily at this time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and be found proven upheld , the Discipline Committee can impose penalties as laid out by the student rules .
These options include fines , suspension , removal of library and/or computer facilities , prohibition to access to campus for a determined period or , in cases of a serious breach of Student Rules , expulsion .
Students have a right to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Panel .
”

In a statement UCC say that the vast majority of students have been adhering to national public health guidance. File photograph: Matt Kavanagh
University College Cork (UCC) has confirmed that 11 students have been temporarily suspended following breaches of rules.
The temporary suspensions have been put in place pending the outcome of a hearing, as per the Student Rules.
In a statement UCC say that the vast majority of students have been adhering to national public health guidance.
“However, UCC can confirm that Campus Watch has received some complaints pertaining to alleged breaches of Student Rules. Every case is considered on its merits and the principle of natural justice applies.
READ MORE
Hearings for those complaints not already resolved by Campus Watch through the informal procedures of the UCC Student Rules have yet to be held and UCC therefore is not in a position to comment further on these ongoing cases.
UCC can confirm that in 11 cases a temporary suspension has been put in place pending the outcome of a hearing, as per the Student Rules. These have been made without prejudice to the hearing process.
Over 50 support services are in place to support students at this time and UCC will continue to work together with its students, its community and the local authorities at a challenging time for our society.
UCC Campus Watch receives complaints relating to any alleged breaches of the Student Rules.
The Chair of Campus Watch, UCC's Director of Student Experience, considers whether the complaint should be handled by the Campus Watch Committee or by the Student Disciple Panel.
The Campus Watch Committee, comprised of UCC staff and members of the Students’ Union, primarily hear less serious complaints of alleged breaches of these Rules and will encourage informal resolution and mediation wherever appropriate.
If a student has breached college student rules, the student may have an option, in the first instance only, of an informal resolution.
Their options may include completing the in-house educational Bystander Intervention Programme and the Alcohol Education Programme, or completing just one of these two programmes and paying a €25 charitable contribution instead.
Any student who opts out of doing either of these can pay a €75 charitable contribution instead.
UCC says that Campus Watch and and Student Discipline committees are meeting daily at this time.
"Should a complaint go to hearing and be found proven upheld, the Discipline Committee can impose penalties as laid out by the student rules. These options include fines, suspension, removal of library and/or computer facilities, prohibition to access to campus for a determined period or, in cases of a serious breach of Student Rules, expulsion. Students have a right to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Panel."