theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Your CAO offer and how to respond to it

Your CAO offer and how to respond to it

Today marks the culmination of the of a process which began so normally in November 2019 when the first of over 70,000 applicants registered their aspiration to secure a place on one of the thousand plus courses on offer by republic of Ireland third level institutions .
For those over twenty three years of age who applied under the mature applicants process , graduates of post leaving cert programmes , those who secured deferrals of their acceptance in 2019 , and a number of other categories , offers of places and acceptances have been made and processed in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Galway .
For the twenty thousand applicants who sat the Leaving Cert and other school terminal exams in the past few years and the forty-four thousand who received assessed grades in the past week , today is the moment of truth .
Each applicant has their own unique access password to enable them to log onto the ‘ My Application ’ section of the CAO website where they can view their offer or offers .
Applicants may receive an offer from both their Level 8 Honours degree list and their Level 6/7 Higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be accepted and the date and time next week by which it will lapse is clearly printed on the offer notice .
If an applicant receives an offer of their 1st choice of either list , then this is the only offer from that list they will receive .
If they receive an offer of a lower preference they may , depending on the number of acceptances received by colleges through the CAO website , receive an offer of a higher course choice at any stage over the next month or so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reoffered to those next in line based on their CAO points score .
Given the uncertainty over the nature of how programmes will be delivered in the coming academic year , and what access students will have to the non-academic life aspects of college life , due to the necessary restrictions on such activities deriving from public health guidelines relating to Covid-19 , it remains to be seen how many course offers will be accepted in the coming days , and how many will choose to postpone their entry into third level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible .
In any other year only a small fraction of places gets reoffered after round one in mid-August .
This is not such a year , and the places offered out today may be reoffered a number of times before all available places are finally taken up .
However , today there is no certainty that any of that may transpire in the coming days and the offer you receive today may be the last one you receive , so consider it carefully in the days ahead before you decide to accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year a small number of those receiving offers today would opt to seek a deferral of acceptance of their place until the following academic year .
Virtually all such requests are normally granted .
Given the expectation that large numbers of successful applicants may choose this option in 2020 , colleges have made it clear that the number of deferrals offered will be quite limited , so as to ensure that the applicants in 2021 are not disproportionately negatively affected by a significant reduction in the numbers of places available to them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ down for a deferral by a college will simply opt to take their chances in the 2021 application process .
If this occurs it could put CAO points requirements up across the board next year , while they drop in the coming weeks as places are reoffered .
Again , this is all conjecture as nobody yet knows how this round of offers will go .
Given that the majority of those receiving offers today were members of the Leaving Cert class of 2020 , who last sat down face to face with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closures in mid-March , there may be many school leavers today looking at an offer of a course for which they may not have had the opportunity to fully explore .
There is a well-known phrase “ Decide in haste and repent in leisure ” which comes to mind when one considers applicants considering a course , they are not totally familiar with .
The temptation is to accept it immediately as they may not receive another offer .
Such an action is foolhardy in the extreme .
There is nothing worse than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that you are quickly losing interest in the content of your course , and you begin to disengage from your lectures , tutorials , practical ’ s , etc .
You will not be able to sustain participation in a three to four year degree programme if you do not engage and enjoy its content .
If you are not familiar with every aspect of the course you have been offered today , now is the time to inform yourself .
The qualifax.ie website has full details on all courses as does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own website .
If you have any questions directly relating to the course or any other aspect of the college from which you have received todays offer , use the coming days to contact them directly and bring yourself up to speed , before you press that ACCEPT button on your CAO offer .
Students who do lose interest in their course and withdraw after a few weeks have passed , face the prospect of paying both the €3000 registration fee and the Higher Education Authority ( HEA ) subvention of €8000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new course they may register for in the coming years .
Therefore , make sure that this course offered to you today is in tune with your interests and aptitudes and that having examined its course content over the full duration of the lecture content , you are happy to proceed .
For the vast majority of applicants that will indeed be the case and they can proceed to the next stage of their life journey with excitement , if not a little anxiety in this very changed world we now live in @

Only one CAO offer can be accepted and the date and time next week by which it will lapse is clearly printed on the offer notice.
Today marks the culmination of the of a process which began so normally in November 2019 when the first of over 70,000 applicants registered their aspiration to secure a place on one of the thousand plus courses on offer by republic of Ireland third level institutions.
For those over twenty three years of age who applied under the mature applicants process, graduates of post leaving cert programmes, those who secured deferrals of their acceptance in 2019, and a number of other categories, offers of places and acceptances have been made and processed in the past six weeks through the CAO offices in Galway.
For the twenty thousand applicants who sat the Leaving Cert and other school terminal exams in the past few years and the forty-four thousand who received assessed grades in the past week, today is the moment of truth.
My Application Log-in
READ MORE
Each applicant has their own unique access password to enable them to log onto the ‘My Application’ section of the CAO website where they can view their offer or offers.
Applicants may receive an offer from both their Level 8 Honours degree list and their Level 6/7 Higher Cert/Ordinary Degree one. Only one offer can be accepted and the date and time next week by which it will lapse is clearly printed on the offer notice.
If an applicant receives an offer of their 1st choice of either list, then this is the only offer from that list they will receive. If they receive an offer of a lower preference they may, depending on the number of acceptances received by colleges through the CAO website, receive an offer of a higher course choice at any stage over the next month or so as places not already taken up will be reoffered to those next in line based on their CAO points score.
Given the uncertainty over the nature of how programmes will be delivered in the coming academic year, and what access students will have to the non-academic life aspects of college life, due to the necessary restrictions on such activities deriving from public health guidelines relating to Covid-19, it remains to be seen how many course offers will be accepted in the coming days, and how many will choose to postpone their entry into third level until a more traditional college experience is possible.
In any other year only a small fraction of places gets reoffered after round one in mid-August. This is not such a year, and the places offered out today may be reoffered a number of times before all available places are finally taken up.
However, today there is no certainty that any of that may transpire in the coming days and the offer you receive today may be the last one you receive, so consider it carefully in the days ahead before you decide to accept or ignore it.
Deferral
In any other year a small number of those receiving offers today would opt to seek a deferral of acceptance of their place until the following academic year. Virtually all such requests are normally granted.
Given the expectation that large numbers of successful applicants may choose this option in 2020, colleges have made it clear that the number of deferrals offered will be quite limited, so as to ensure that the applicants in 2021 are not disproportionately negatively affected by a significant reduction in the numbers of places available to them.
It is quite possible that applicants turned down for a deferral by a college will simply opt to take their chances in the 2021 application process. If this occurs it could put CAO points requirements up across the board next year, while they drop in the coming weeks as places are reoffered. Again, this is all conjecture as nobody yet knows how this round of offers will go.
Given that the majority of those receiving offers today were members of the Leaving Cert class of 2020, who last sat down face to face with their guidance counsellor prior to the school closures in mid-March, there may be many school leavers today looking at an offer of a course for which they may not have had the opportunity to fully explore.
There is a well-known phrase “Decide in haste and repent in leisure” which comes to mind when one considers applicants considering a course, they are not totally familiar with. The temptation is to accept it immediately as they may not receive another offer.
Such an action is foolhardy in the extreme. There is nothing worse than the gradual realisation as the winter sets in that you are quickly losing interest in the content of your course, and you begin to disengage from your lectures, tutorials, practical’s, etc. You will not be able to sustain participation in a three to four year degree programme if you do not engage and enjoy its content.
If you are not familiar with every aspect of the course you have been offered today, now is the time to inform yourself. The qualifax.ie website has full details on all courses as does the prospectus of the college available on their own website. If you have any questions directly relating to the course or any other aspect of the college from which you have received todays offer, use the coming days to contact them directly and bring yourself up to speed, before you press that ACCEPT button on your CAO offer.
Students who do lose interest in their course and withdraw after a few weeks have passed, face the prospect of paying both the €3000 registration fee and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) subvention of €8000 plus in the 1st year of any new course they may register for in the coming years.
Therefore, make sure that this course offered to you today is in tune with your interests and aptitudes and that having examined its course content over the full duration of the lecture content, you are happy to proceed.
For the vast majority of applicants that will indeed be the case and they can proceed to the next stage of their life journey with excitement, if not a little anxiety in this very changed world we now live in.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Case study: How will student life look at UCD?

For most university students , their experiences making friends and having fun on campus is as important a part of their college experience as getting their degrees .
Students at University College Dublin ( UCD ) will have a very different experience when they arrive on campus this year - but it is still expected that freshers will be able to enjoy some social interactions and get involved with societies as best as they can .
The current guidelines in place for UCD will see undergraduates on campus for 40-60 per cent of the usual time , with facemasks being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of on-campus time expected for new students this September , societies and the UCD Students Union ( UCDSU ) entertainment officer are hopeful that they will be able to give freshers as close an experience to normal as possible .
“ We have plans to facilitate a socially-distant freshers week in compliance with university and national guidelines , ” says Cíara Dempsey , chair of the UCD Societies Council .
“ While the university experience is likely to be different this year , we hope to foster engagement and support our societies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s in online activities or socially distant activities.
” UCD SU Entertainment Officer , Sarah Michelak is confident that first year students will be able to make the most of the altered plans for the first semester .
“ It is highly likely that orientation week and freshers ’ week events are going to be split between online and in-person events and we are still hoping to make it as fun , informative , interactive and welcoming to students as possible , ” she says .
With so much uncertainty around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for incoming students in September for social activities will be on societies and how they will operate .
“ The first years aren ’ t expecting it to be a ‘ normal ’ year , ” says Louise Kennedy , the Entertainment Officer for UCD Lawsoc .
“ They ’ re pretty clued in to what ’ s going on , but they can expect events both online and at a reduced scale in person.
” The largest society on campus , UCD Foodsoc , has relied on a number of in-person events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , they are adapting to online events and socially distanced smaller gatherings .
“ Societies , and the student experience more generally , will never have been so important to the mental health and wellbeing of students as it will be this semester , ” say Joseph O ’ Herne and Robyn O ’ Keefe , the co-chairs of UCD Foodsoc .
“ Our ‘ blended ’ approach should offer incoming Freshers a taste ( literally ) of what Foodsoc does on a large scale , in a way that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Societies like the Literary and Historical ( L & H ) debating society and Lawsoc are also able to host a large number of their usual events online or socially distant .
“ We do have some ideas for what could be done during freshers week [ and into semester one ] , such as streamed debates , online speed friending and live streaming with notable speakers , ” says Roibeárd Fitzpatrick , L & H Treasurer .
However , the biggest events on most societies ’ social calendars - their society balls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening this year .
The L & H has already said that they will likely not hold their Strauss Ball , while societies like Dramsoc , Lawsoc and Foodsoc are waiting for guidelines to be announced for semester two before they can make those decisions .
“ Our society ball isn ’ t until the end of February so we will be looking at possibly facilitating this closer to the time .
We are hoping that this event will still be possible , ” says Niamh Scully , Auditor of UCD Dramsoc .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ going ahead as normal , ” says Kennedy .
“ We host our ball in February , so it depends on what happens during the winter.
” “ Societies are a crucial social aspect for first years and , indeed , all university students , and although this year may be different , I am certain that societies can find innovative ways to still create that fundamental university experience , ” says Dempsey .

The current guidelines in place for UCD will see undergraduates on campus for 40-60 per cent of the usual time.
For most university students, their experiences making friends and having fun on campus is as important a part of their college experience as getting their degrees.
Students at University College Dublin (UCD) will have a very different experience when they arrive on campus this year - but it is still expected that freshers will be able to enjoy some social interactions and get involved with societies as best as they can.
The current guidelines in place for UCD will see undergraduates on campus for 40-60 per cent of the usual time, with facemasks being a requirement on campus. Despite the lack of on-campus time expected for new students this September, societies and the UCD Students Union (UCDSU) entertainment officer are hopeful that they will be able to give freshers as close an experience to normal as possible.
“We have plans to facilitate a socially-distant freshers week in compliance with university and national guidelines,” says Cíara Dempsey, chair of the UCD Societies Council.
READ MORE
“While the university experience is likely to be different this year, we hope to foster engagement and support our societies in whatever way we can, whether that’s in online activities or socially distant activities.”
The main focus for incoming students in September for social activities will be on societies and how they will operate.
UCD SU Entertainment Officer, Sarah Michelak is confident that first year students will be able to make the most of the altered plans for the first semester. "It is highly likely that orientation week and freshers' week events are going to be split between online and in-person events and we are still hoping to make it as fun, informative, interactive and welcoming to students as possible," she says.
With so much uncertainty around pubs and nightclubs, the main focus for incoming students in September for social activities will be on societies and how they will operate.
"The first years aren't expecting it to be a 'normal' year," says Louise Kennedy, the Entertainment Officer for UCD Lawsoc. "They're pretty clued in to what's going on, but they can expect events both online and at a reduced scale in person."
The largest society on campus, UCD Foodsoc, has relied on a number of in-person events and tastings in the past. Now, however, they are adapting to online events and socially distanced smaller gatherings.
“Societies, and the student experience more generally, will never have been so important to the mental health and wellbeing of students as it will be this semester,” say Joseph O’Herne and Robyn O’Keefe, the co-chairs of UCD Foodsoc.
“Our ‘blended’ approach should offer incoming Freshers a taste (literally) of what Foodsoc does on a large scale, in a way that is Covid-compliant and accessible to high-risk individuals.”
Societies like the Literary and Historical (L&H) debating society and Lawsoc are also able to host a large number of their usual events online or socially distant. “We do have some ideas for what could be done during freshers week [and into semester one], such as streamed debates, online speed friending and live streaming with notable speakers,” says Roibeárd Fitzpatrick, L&H Treasurer.
However, the biggest events on most societies' social calendars - their society balls - are still at risk of not happening this year. The L&H has already said that they will likely not hold their Strauss Ball, while societies like Dramsoc, Lawsoc and Foodsoc are waiting for guidelines to be announced for semester two before they can make those decisions.
"Our society ball isn't until the end of February so we will be looking at possibly facilitating this closer to the time. We are hoping that this event will still be possible," says Niamh Scully, Auditor of UCD Dramsoc.
“At the moment we plan on going ahead as normal,” says Kennedy. “We host our ball in February, so it depends on what happens during the winter.”
“Societies are a crucial social aspect for first years and, indeed, all university students, and although this year may be different, I am certain that societies can find innovative ways to still create that fundamental university experience,” says Dempsey.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--What to expect from your hybrid third-level course

Universities across the globe have spent the last few months revisiting the design of course programmes not only to address how they can continue teaching while keeping their staff and students safe but also to ensure that the highest academic standards are met .
What few may realise is that not all courses needed to be revisited as plenty were already being delivered using virtual or online tools .
In many cases these will have been used as a template for the delivery of previously mainly-offline courses .
We thought it would be instructive to talk to one student who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show what students might expect this autumn .
Ciara Ramsbottom has just completed her final year at DCU .
What course did you study ?
I have just completed my final year of BCL ( Clinical ) Law and Society in Dublin City University ( DCU ) .
Can you describe how it was delivered ?
BCL is delivered through hybrid , blended learning with some lectures taking place online and other smaller lectures and tutorials taking place on DCU ’ s Glasnevin campus .
For example , BCL ’ s ‘ Moot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal skills ) , face-to-face interaction with peers and lecturers is vital so lectures and tutorials for this module would be held on campus .
What do you think of the virtual environment – does it work for you ?
I enjoy virtual learning for the most part as it offers flexibility that I have never had before .
I ’ m not a big fan of 9am lectures and now with lectures being recorded and posted on Loop , DCU ’ s student portal , I can watch them at my own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on my alarm too many times .
It also brings flexibility to other parts of life , such as being able to work different days during the week instead of limiting myself to weekend work as would have been the case before .
What does your typical day look like ?
My day usually involves attending lectures via Zoom or catching up on any lectures that I missed , writing out notes for my modules and getting in an hour or two of study .
I am the “ Moot Court Convenor ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend Zoom meetings with the committee and reply to any emails coming in about mooting and related activities .
I ’ m also preparing to take part in the international Nelson Mandela Moot Court Competition so I try to fit in researching the question for the competition and preparing our written submissions .
I also have Zoom calls to chat to my team-mate and lecturers about the submissions .
How do you submit assessments/do exams ?
All of our assignments are uploaded through Loop .
There are no exams in the traditional sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t take place on campus .
Modules with an exam element are completed as “ take home ” exams where students are given either 24 or 48 hours to complete the exam at home and then it is uploaded to Loop in the same way as assignments are .
How do you interact with fellow students ?
Zoom has been a lifesaver for keeping in touch with my classmates .
We also use WhatsApp , video calls and emails to keep in touch for group assignments .
We have organised Zoom quizzes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosted a big Zoom quiz for students and staff to raise money for charity .
My friends and I organised Zoom drinks to celebrate finishing exams so it ’ s been really good to be able to keep the social interaction going .
Is it easy to interact with tutors/lecturers ?
In my experience with the School of Law and Government in DCU , and perhaps unique to DCU itself , interacting with lecturers is so easy and relaxed .
On campus their doors are always open to call in for a chat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their virtual doors are always open so the support from tutors and lecturers is as strong and constant as ever .
Engage and get involved in college life – it is doable even when it ’ s done virtually !
It might not be how you imagined it would be , but it will be great and enjoyable nonetheless .
Participate in extra-curricular activities and get involved with societies – they are great ways to make friends and build your confidence .
If your course has the option to do a work placement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your degree and you will learn so much more about your area of study and yourself .
I spent my 3rd year in a law firm and I learned so much about the practical application of the law which made me more employable and reassured me that doing law was the right choice for me .
Don ’ t be afraid to avail of the supports available through the college , be that through the Student Support and Development office , or by reaching out to lecturers .

Ciara Ramsbottom: ‘Engage and get involved in college life – it is doable even when it’s done virtually’
Universities across the globe have spent the last few months revisiting the design of course programmes not only to address how they can continue teaching while keeping their staff and students safe but also to ensure that the highest academic standards are met.
What few may realise is that not all courses needed to be revisited as plenty were already being delivered using virtual or online tools. In many cases these will have been used as a template for the delivery of previously mainly-offline courses.
We thought it would be instructive to talk to one student who has completed a blended learning course to show what students might expect this autumn.
Ciara Ramsbottom has just completed her final year at DCU.
READ MORE
What course did you study?
I have just completed my final year of BCL (Clinical) Law and Society in Dublin City University (DCU).
Can you describe how it was delivered?
BCL is delivered through hybrid, blended learning with some lectures taking place online and other smaller lectures and tutorials taking place on DCU's Glasnevin campus. For example, BCL's 'Moot Court' module (which teaches practical legal skills), face-to-face interaction with peers and lecturers is vital so lectures and tutorials for this module would be held on campus.
Ciara Ramsbottom speaking in the final of the National Moot Court Competition in November 2019 at the Criminal Courts of Justice.
What do you think of the virtual environment – does it work for you?
I enjoy virtual learning for the most part as it offers flexibility that I have never had before. I’m not a big fan of 9am lectures and now with lectures being recorded and posted on Loop, DCU’s student portal, I can watch them at my own leisure if I end up hitting snooze on my alarm too many times. It also brings flexibility to other parts of life, such as being able to work different days during the week instead of limiting myself to weekend work as would have been the case before.
What does your typical day look like?
My day usually involves attending lectures via Zoom or catching up on any lectures that I missed, writing out notes for my modules and getting in an hour or two of study. I am the "Moot Court Convenor" for the DCU Law Society so I attend Zoom meetings with the committee and reply to any emails coming in about mooting and related activities. I'm also preparing to take part in the international Nelson Mandela Moot Court Competition so I try to fit in researching the question for the competition and preparing our written submissions. I also have Zoom calls to chat to my team-mate and lecturers about the submissions.
How do you submit assessments/do exams?
All of our assignments are uploaded through Loop. There are no exams in the traditional sense of the word in that exams don’t take place on campus. Modules with an exam element are completed as “take home” exams where students are given either 24 or 48 hours to complete the exam at home and then it is uploaded to Loop in the same way as assignments are.
How do you interact with fellow students?
Zoom has been a lifesaver for keeping in touch with my classmates. We also use WhatsApp, video calls and emails to keep in touch for group assignments. We have organised Zoom quizzes and the School of Law and Government hosted a big Zoom quiz for students and staff to raise money for charity. My friends and I organised Zoom drinks to celebrate finishing exams so it’s been really good to be able to keep the social interaction going.
Is it easy to interact with tutors/lecturers?
In my experience with the School of Law and Government in DCU, and perhaps unique to DCU itself, interacting with lecturers is so easy and relaxed. On campus their doors are always open to call in for a chat or to ask any questions and now their virtual doors are always open so the support from tutors and lecturers is as strong and constant as ever.
Any tips for incoming freshers?
Engage and get involved in college life – it is doable even when it’s done virtually! It might not be how you imagined it would be, but it will be great and enjoyable nonetheless. Participate in extra-curricular activities and get involved with societies – they are great ways to make friends and build your confidence.
If your course has the option to do a work placement, do it. It will enhance your degree and you will learn so much more about your area of study and yourself. I spent my 3rd year in a law firm and I learned so much about the practical application of the law which made me more employable and reassured me that doing law was the right choice for me.
Don’t be afraid to avail of the supports available through the college, be that through the Student Support and Development office, or by reaching out to lecturers.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--The social side of third level: what will become of it?

Every year , as a new batch of first years hit third level , college and national newspapers publish freshers ’ guides The advice is usually timeless .
College is about so much more than academia .
Get involved in student clubs and societies , or throw yourself into the students ’ union , college newspaper or student radio station .
Find what interests you , whether that ’ s chess , camogie , debating , drama or food .
Third level is a time to truly discover yourself as a person and make new friends based on common interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you in class .
If you ’ re LGBT+ and haven ’ t come out , you ’ ll find support in dedicated societies as well as a generally safe and supportive environment .
This year , incoming students who have already been supremely unlucky to have their Leaving Cert cancelled because of a global pandemic , will face a very different kind of experience .
So how can you prepare for life in a pandemic ?
At the time of writing , only some institutions had released full details of their plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems that students can expect to be on campus for no more than half the semester , and many of the bustling social events that mark first year of college life have been cancelled or scaled back .
Katie Halpin-Hill , Irish-language officer for the Irish Second Level Students Union , is hoping to get a place at UCC .
“ I am nervous about entering a drastically different college experience .
I ’ m from the Gaeltacht in Waterford and was really looking forward to city life , college events , joining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is all on hold.
” Lorna Fitzpatrick is president of the Union of Students in Ireland , which represents students in third-levels across the country and , in Northern Ireland , jointly with the UK ’ s National Union of Students .
“ This is a tricky situation and we acknowledge that , ” she says .
“ But throughout July and much of August , communication with students was poor and all students knew was that they would be on campus ‘ as much as possible ’ .
This led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stress for students.
” Before the coronavirus crisis , a survey by USI indicated that college students were already struggling with extreme anxiety and stress .
“ We are worried that the fourth wave of Covid will be a mental health crisis .
It ’ s the people you meet and the clubs and societies that make college what it is , so the overall student experience has to be a priority for third levels – otherwise there may be a knock-on effect on student mental health , which in turn will impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in line with public health advice , we need third levels to facilitate students in holding events with social distancing , masks and hand sanitisers .
There need to be new strategies for building online communities ; Zoom is fine when it ’ s free for 40 minutes , but what happens beyond this ?
” Fitzpatrick is calling for a “ partnership approach ” between students and higher-education institutions on every decision that is made .
“ People in suits and offices may have the best intentions in the world but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s why it is vital that they engage with students , student unions and student leaders on campus.
” Dublin City University has long since had particular strengths in distance and hybrid learning .
But the college also places a particularly heavy emphasis on the extracurricular side of college life , with its unique Uaneen module – named after the late broadcaster and DCU graduate Uaneen Fitzsimons – giving credit to students who get meaningfully involved in the extracurricular side of college life .
Together , this could give DCU a distinct advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , DCU ’ s deputy director of student support and development , says they have been working on the return to campus for many months .
“ We have been working closely with the students union , clubs and societies to adapt the student experience .
“ It will be a hybrid experience of learning online and in person , but we are keen to maximise the use of space on campus .
There will still be a two-week orientation period for new students , with at least some on-campus engagement .
Students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will be looking at ways of connecting them .
We will be trying , as far as possible , to start micro-communities with opportunities for freshers to connect with other students in their area .
And our online transition programme , Discover DCU , will be available to students as soon as they accept their place.
” The college has also created MyDCU , which will be an online interactive environment for students .
“ They can engage in interactive activities , videos and student-led content connected to the various different clubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aimed at engagement and getting a sense of connection .
Students will be able to link in with their own communities in various forums , but we will also help facilitate regular one-off events and weekly social activities.
” It all feels like a grand experiment .
Perhaps it will lead to deeper and better connections , or perhaps students will miss out on something irretrievable .
Halpin-Hill says there is no perfect solution .
“ It ’ s nobody ’ s fault , and there ’ s no perfect solution , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact .
I reckon going to college can be intimidating in normal circumstances , but this year we will all have to put in a bit of extra effort and do the best we can .
”

Every year, as a new batch of first years hit third level, college and national newspapers publish freshers’ guides
The advice is usually timeless. College is about so much more than academia. Get involved in student clubs and societies, or throw yourself into the students’ union, college newspaper or student radio station. Find what interests you, whether that’s chess, camogie, debating, drama or food. Third level is a time to truly discover yourself as a person and make new friends based on common interests and values rather than who sits beside you in class. If you’re LGBT+ and haven’t come out, you’ll find support in dedicated societies as well as a generally safe and supportive environment.
This year, incoming students who have already been supremely unlucky to have their Leaving Cert cancelled because of a global pandemic, will face a very different kind of experience. So how can you prepare for life in a pandemic?
At the time of writing, only some institutions had released full details of their plans for the coming semester, but it seems that students can expect to be on campus for no more than half the semester, and many of the bustling social events that mark first year of college life have been cancelled or scaled back.
READ MORE
Katie Halpin-Hill, Irish-language officer for the Irish Second Level Students Union, is hoping to get a place at UCC. "I am nervous about entering a drastically different college experience. I'm from the Gaeltacht in Waterford and was really looking forward to city life, college events, joining societies and meeting new people. Now it is all on hold."
Lorna Fitzpatrick is president of the Union of Students in Ireland, which represents students in third-levels across the country and, in Northern Ireland, jointly with the UK's National Union of Students. "This is a tricky situation and we acknowledge that," she says. "But throughout July and much of August, communication with students was poor and all students knew was that they would be on campus 'as much as possible'. This led to problems in securing accommodation and caused more stress for students."
Before the coronavirus crisis, a survey by USI indicated that college students were already struggling with extreme anxiety and stress. “We are worried that the fourth wave of Covid will be a mental health crisis. It’s the people you meet and the clubs and societies that make college what it is, so the overall student experience has to be a priority for third levels – otherwise there may be a knock-on effect on student mental health, which in turn will impact on student learning. Where possible, and in line with public health advice, we need third levels to facilitate students in holding events with social distancing, masks and hand sanitisers. There need to be new strategies for building online communities; Zoom is fine when it’s free for 40 minutes, but what happens beyond this?”
Joint approach
Fitzpatrick is calling for a “partnership approach” between students and higher-education institutions on every decision that is made. “People in suits and offices may have the best intentions in the world but make out-of-touch decisions, and that’s why it is vital that they engage with students, student unions and student leaders on campus.”
Dublin City University has long since had particular strengths in distance and hybrid learning. But the college also places a particularly heavy emphasis on the extracurricular side of college life, with its unique Uaneen module – named after the late broadcaster and DCU graduate Uaneen Fitzsimons – giving credit to students who get meaningfully involved in the extracurricular side of college life. Together, this could give DCU a distinct advantage in the Covid era.
Annabella Stover, DCU's deputy director of student support and development, says they have been working on the return to campus for many months. "We have been working closely with the students union, clubs and societies to adapt the student experience.
“It will be a hybrid experience of learning online and in person, but we are keen to maximise the use of space on campus. There will still be a two-week orientation period for new students, with at least some on-campus engagement. Students will work together in smaller groups and we will be looking at ways of connecting them. We will be trying, as far as possible, to start micro-communities with opportunities for freshers to connect with other students in their area. And our online transition programme, Discover DCU, will be available to students as soon as they accept their place.”
The college has also created MyDCU, which will be an online interactive environment for students. “They can engage in interactive activities, videos and student-led content connected to the various different clubs and societies. It’s all aimed at engagement and getting a sense of connection. Students will be able to link in with their own communities in various forums, but we will also help facilitate regular one-off events and weekly social activities.”
It all feels like a grand experiment. Perhaps it will lead to deeper and better connections, or perhaps students will miss out on something irretrievable.
Halpin-Hill says there is no perfect solution. “It’s nobody’s fault, and there’s no perfect solution, but you can’t truly replace face-to-face contact. I reckon going to college can be intimidating in normal circumstances, but this year we will all have to put in a bit of extra effort and do the best we can.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Report calls for law on purchasing sex to be repealed

Sex workers feel less safe , more stigmatised and in greater fear of gardaí since a law criminalising the purchase of sex was enacted , a report from Maynooth university warns .
Commissioned by HIV Ireland , the small-scale study looks at how the Part 4 of the Sexual Offences Act ( 2017 ) has impacted sex workers .
The Act criminalises the purchase of sex and decriminalises sex-work .
It remains an offence however for more than one person to do sex work under one roof as this is regarded as a brothel-keeping .
The report , which HIV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the legislation , says : “ The findings .
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point to the negative impact of current laws on the abilities of sex workers to keep safe and reduce harms to their health and well-being , in line with mounting evidence from other jurisdictions where sex buyer laws are in place.
” It adds : “ While some international women ’ s groups and radical feminists support the utility of such sex purchase laws to send a symbolic message on sexual behaviour there is little consideration of the impact on sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with 26 sex-workers were held in Dublin , Cork , Limerick and Galway , led by peers in the Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland .
Several women said the law did not protect them but judged them as victims .
‘ Gina ’ said : “ Protection is a very open-ended idea , it ’ s like they more want to protect you from yourself and your evil ways these wretched women need to be brought into line and protected from themselves .
That ’ s their version of protection.
” Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by gardaí who were surveilling for their male clients .
They described reluctance in reporting violence and feeling they would not be as respected as other members of the public reporting harm .
A migrant sex worker in the Galway group , who had been raped , decided not to report to the gardaí .
“ When that thing happened to me I was afraid , I didn ’ t go to the police because I didn ’ t know the consequence so I prefer to stay at home .
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But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t change their minds , the way they think about us.
” The legislation means sex workers are regarded as operating outside of the law , says the report .
“ So , as data from this study shows , show , sex workers perceive this to mean that abuse , harassment and violations of rights to services , supports , health and housing are justifiable to wider society.
” Participants described feeling vulnerable as they could not work in twos or three in apartments , but had to work alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ in the Dublin group said : “ The police are cracking down , they aren ’ t even pretending that enforcing this law is something that is about sex workers as victims , and protecting women .
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They ’ re doubling down on the brothel-keeping law in just sweeping rates.
” The report calls for the law to be repealed , to recognise the reality of sex work and keep those involved in it safe .
This would “ contribute to a cultural shift which regards sex workers ’ human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The report is written by Dr Paul Ryan and Dr Kathryn McGarry , of the Department of Sociology at Maynooth University .
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said the deadline for making submissions to the review had been extended until 19th September .

Commissioned by HIV Ireland, the small-scale study looks at how the Part 4 of the Sexual Offences Act (2017) has impacted sex workers.
Sex workers feel less safe, more stigmatised and in greater fear of gardaí since a law criminalising the purchase of sex was enacted, a report from Maynooth university warns.
Commissioned by HIV Ireland, the small-scale study looks at how the Part 4 of the Sexual Offences Act (2017) has impacted sex workers.
The Act criminalises the purchase of sex and decriminalises sex-work. It remains an offence however for more than one person to do sex work under one roof as this is regarded as a brothel-keeping.
The report, which HIV Ireland is submitting to a government review of the legislation, says: “The findings . . . point to the negative impact of current laws on the abilities of sex workers to keep safe and reduce harms to their health and well-being, in line with mounting evidence from other jurisdictions where sex buyer laws are in place.”
READ MORE
It adds: “While some international women’s groups and radical feminists support the utility of such sex purchase laws to send a symbolic message on sexual behaviour there is little consideration of the impact on sex workers’ safety.”
Four focus groups, with 26 sex-workers were held in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, led by peers in the Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland.
Several women said the law did not protect them but judged them as victims.
‘Gina’ said: “Protection is a very open-ended idea, it’s like they more want to protect you from yourself and your evil ways these wretched women need to be brought into line and protected from themselves. That’s their version of protection.”
Several participants said they felt “monitored” by gardaí who were surveilling for their male clients. They described reluctance in reporting violence and feeling they would not be as respected as other members of the public reporting harm.
A migrant sex worker in the Galway group, who had been raped, decided not to report to the gardaí.
“When that thing happened to me I was afraid, I didn’t go to the police because I didn’t know the consequence so I prefer to stay at home . . . But it’s society, so we can’t change their minds, the way they think about us.”
The legislation means sex workers are regarded as operating outside of the law, says the report.
“So, as data from this study shows, show, sex workers perceive this to mean that abuse, harassment and violations of rights to services, supports, health and housing are justifiable to wider society.”
Participants described feeling vulnerable as they could not work in twos or three in apartments, but had to work alone due to brothel-keeping legislation.
‘Lee’ in the Dublin group said: “The police are cracking down, they aren’t even pretending that enforcing this law is something that is about sex workers as victims, and protecting women . . . They’re doubling down on the brothel-keeping law in just sweeping rates.”
The report calls for the law to be repealed, to recognise the reality of sex work and keep those involved in it safe.
This would “contribute to a cultural shift which regards sex workers’ human rights as human rights for all”.
The report is written by Dr Paul Ryan and Dr Kathryn McGarry, of the Department of Sociology at Maynooth University.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said the deadline for making submissions to the review had been extended until 19th September.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Foster and O’Neill get back on same public-health page at Stormont

It was like old times at Stormont .
The first and deputy first ministers were back at their socially-distanced podiums , addressing each other by their first names as they handed over .
Both were even wearing navy , and – whether carefully co-ordinated or a happy accident – it served to underline the message that – for now at least – both were firmly back on the same public-health page .
After more than two months apart over the furore which followed the presence of O ’ Neill at the west Belfast funeral of IRA veteran Bobby Storey on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to repeatedly break both social-distancing guidelines and coronavirus regulations – it took less than 24 hours to bring them back together following O ’ Neill ’ s expression of “ regret ” on RTÉ on Wednesday night .
The door had been opened by Foster , who last week subtly changed her ask from one of repentance to an acknowledgement that the public messaging had been damaged .
This O ’ Neill could do : “ I do accept the public messaging about the pandemic has been undermined by the controversy over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how she phrased it at that first press conference on Thursday .
“ It was never my intention that that would happen , but it did , and I regret that.
” Political controversy aside , it has been evident for some time that the North was approaching a watershed moment in its fight against coronavirus .
“ The message is simple , folks .
The summer is over , ” was the warning from the North ’ s health minister , Robin Swann , on Wednesday , ahead of Thursday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been widely telegraphed , ministers would for the first time reimpose localised restrictions in the worst-affected parts of the North .
Clearly , it was time for the deputy first minister to get back to the podium .
“ The perception may have been for some people that it was in some way undermining the public message and creat [ ing ] confusion .
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Anything that could cause confusion has to be regretted , ” said Sinn Féin MLA Francie Molloy .
“ It ’ s [ about ] trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this whole thing .
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to get [ a ] firm message in preparation for the wintertime.
” For a party in government in the North contemplating the prospect of a hard winter , it makes sense to put the summer ’ s controversy behind them , not least because , if things get really difficult , it will be one charge fewer that can be laid at their door by their opponents .
And , as the re-emergence of Brexit proved this week , there is plenty else on the agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neill as much as Foster – who has come under pressure within her own party over the withdrawal agreement – there is much to be said for being able to put at least one running sore behind them .
Such is often the way in the North , where mandatory coalition means any censure has no real effect as long as a politician has their own party ’ s support .
Senior Sinn Féin politicians – and senior political figures in Dublin , including party leader Mary Lou McDonald and finance spokesman Pearse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Belfast .
McDonald and Doherty on Thursday supported O ’ Neill ’ s comments and apology but neither really repeated the sentiments expressed by the party ’ s Northern-based leadership .
The apology was qualified also .
In her comments McDonald ’ s acknowledged that the large crowds on the street gave rise to legitimate public concerns around public health .
However , she did not extend the comments to the other events of the day , namely the orations given by Gerry Adams and Doherty at Milltown cemetery .
Predictably , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of Sinn Féin ’ s call for heads over “ golfgate ” .
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar accused the party of hypocrisy , honing in on the oration – or “ political rally ” , as he put it – at Milltown , which took place 14km away from the cremation .
Sinn Féin believes , however , it has done enough to draw a line under the matter .

It was like old times at Stormont. The first and deputy first ministers were back at their socially-distanced podiums, addressing each other by their first names as they handed over.
Both were even wearing navy, and – whether carefully co-ordinated or a happy accident – it served to underline the message that – for now at least – both were firmly back on the same public-health page.
After more than two months apart over the furore which followed the presence of O'Neill at the west Belfast funeral of IRA veteran Bobby Storey on June 30th – a funeral which appeared to repeatedly break both social-distancing guidelines and coronavirus regulations – it took less than 24 hours to bring them back together following O'Neill's expression of "regret" on RTÉ on Wednesday night.
The door had been opened by Foster, who last week subtly changed her ask from one of repentance to an acknowledgement that the public messaging had been damaged.
READ MORE
This O’Neill could do: “I do accept the public messaging about the pandemic has been undermined by the controversy over the last number of months,” was how she phrased it at that first press conference on Thursday. “It was never my intention that that would happen, but it did, and I regret that.”
Political controversy aside, it has been evident for some time that the North was approaching a watershed moment in its fight against coronavirus.
"The message is simple, folks. The summer is over," was the warning from the North's health minister, Robin Swann, on Wednesday, ahead of Thursday's Executive meeting at which, it had been widely telegraphed, ministers would for the first time reimpose localised restrictions in the worst-affected parts of the North.
‘Firm message’
Clearly, it was time for the deputy first minister to get back to the podium. "The perception may have been for some people that it was in some way undermining the public message and creat[ing] confusion . . . Anything that could cause confusion has to be regretted," said Sinn Féin MLA Francie Molloy. "It's [about] trying to move on to the next stage of this whole thing . . . to get [a] firm message in preparation for the wintertime."
For a party in government in the North contemplating the prospect of a hard winter, it makes sense to put the summer’s controversy behind them, not least because, if things get really difficult, it will be one charge fewer that can be laid at their door by their opponents.
And, as the re-emergence of Brexit proved this week, there is plenty else on the agenda in the North. For O’Neill as much as Foster – who has come under pressure within her own party over the withdrawal agreement – there is much to be said for being able to put at least one running sore behind them.
Such is often the way in the North, where mandatory coalition means any censure has no real effect as long as a politician has their own party’s support.
Senior Sinn Féin politicians – and senior political figures in Dublin, including party leader Mary Lou McDonald and finance spokesman Pearse Doherty – had all attended the funeral in Belfast.
McDonald and Doherty on Thursday supported O’Neill’s comments and apology but neither really repeated the sentiments expressed by the party’s Northern-based leadership.
The apology was qualified also. In her comments McDonald’s acknowledged that the large crowds on the street gave rise to legitimate public concerns around public health.
However, she did not extend the comments to the other events of the day, namely the orations given by Gerry Adams and Doherty at Milltown cemetery.
Predictably, other political parties piled in, reminding people of Sinn Féin's call for heads over "golfgate". Tánaiste Leo Varadkar accused the party of hypocrisy, honing in on the oration – or "political rally", as he put it – at Milltown, which took place 14km away from the cremation.
Sinn Féin believes, however, it has done enough to draw a line under the matter.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--UCD professor quit university group over lack of action on sexual harassment

University College Dublin president Prof Andrew Deeks was told last year by a professor who quit a gender equality group at the university that she saw “ no evidence of any commitment to take the necessary steps ” to rid the campus of physical and verbal sexual harassment .
Prof Kathleen James-Chakraborty quit UCD ’ s Gender Equality Action Group in October 2019 , “ because I was not satisfied that the university ’ s policies on sexual harassment and discrimination were being implemented ” .
Last weekend , in an interview with The Irish Times , Dr Aoibhinn Ní @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she faced while working in the university from Prof Hans-Benjamin Braun , who later faced a court barring order .
On Wednesday , Minister for Higher Education , Research , Innovation and Science Simon Harris announced his intention to appoint Dublin Rape Crisis Centre chief executive Noeline Blackwell to the Governing Authority of UCD .
In an email to Prof Deeks last year , Prof James-Chakraborty , a US-born academic , wrote : “ There will be no meaningful commitment to gender equality until policies are enforced , and those who violate them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” She did not receive a reply from Prof Deeks .
“ If senior male faculty can assume that there is no risk to their careers when they engage in physical and oral harassment , no student they teach is receiving an excellent education and no staff member with whom they work is getting their legal right to a workplace free of such discrimination and harassment .
There is every reason to believe women are being discriminated against in hiring processes , and the law regarding maternity leave has certainly been broken on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the email , which was circulated to colleagues .
Saying that while her personal experience on the UCD campus has been a positive one , Prof James-Chakraborty said she was “ discouraged that I can no longer see enough progress on the horizon and thus am unable to continue representing UCD in this [ gender equality ] role .
I can not stand over the absence of real accountability .
UCD ’ s current approach to equity and diversity is undermining the careers of exactly those it is supposed to serve through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are only window dressing .
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Changing this culture will require relinquishing male privilege , but I recommend precisely that to you as the way forward.
” Unhappy that she had not received a reply from Prof Deeks , Prof James-Chakraborty said it left her with “ the strong impression that he was content with the status quo ” in the university .
A “ lot of highly committed people , disproportionately early career women ” , had taken time away from teaching and research to work “ very hard ” on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find that they were “ really just window dressing ” , she said .
The UCD Gender Equality Action Group oversees the university ’ s gender equality work and oversees Athena SWAN applications made by the university .
The Athena SWAN charter recognises good practice in higher education institutions on gender equality .
In March 2017 , UCD was awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze Institutional Award for a period of three years .
On Tuesday , Prof Deeks issued a “ President ’ s Bulletin ” by email to staff at UCD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ní Shúilleabháin at the university .
Prof Deeks wrote : “ I am greatly saddened that one of our colleagues experienced such traumatic events over an extended period , and on behalf of UCD I have apologised to Aoibhinn and to other colleagues and students who have suffered such experiences while in our care.
” On Thursday , UCD said it had not been the responsiblity of Prof Deeks to reply to Prof James-Chakraborty , but , instead , that was a role for the chair of the gender equality group , Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October , Prof Feely said she had been “ disappointed ” to learn of Prof James-Chakraborty ’ s decision to resign .
She had been “ a strong and consistent voice ” for gender equality and “ will be missed ” .
On Thursday night , Prof Feely told The Irish Times in a statement that a gender equality plan will be published by UCD later this month to “ allow all members of the UCD community to be confident ” that complaints will be dealt with appropriatlely .
“ We are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we are working hard to get there , and I am very grateful to all who are contributing to this effort , ” Prof Feely declared .

University College Dublin president Prof Andrew Deeks was told last year by a professor who quit a gender equality group at the university that she saw "no evidence of any commitment to take the necessary steps" to rid the campus of physical and verbal sexual harassment.
Prof Kathleen James-Chakraborty quit UCD's Gender Equality Action Group in October 2019, "because I was not satisfied that the university's policies on sexual harassment and discrimination were being implemented".
Last weekend, in an interview with The Irish Times, Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin outlined a two-year ordeal of harassment she faced while working in the university from Prof Hans-Benjamin Braun, who later faced a court barring order.
On Wednesday, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris announced his intention to appoint Dublin Rape Crisis Centre chief executive Noeline Blackwell to the Governing Authority of UCD.
READ MORE
In an email to Prof Deeks last year, Prof James-Chakraborty, a US-born academic, wrote: “There will be no meaningful commitment to gender equality until policies are enforced, and those who violate them or evade enforcing them face serious consequences.” She did not receive a reply from Prof Deeks.
“If senior male faculty can assume that there is no risk to their careers when they engage in physical and oral harassment, no student they teach is receiving an excellent education and no staff member with whom they work is getting their legal right to a workplace free of such discrimination and harassment. There is every reason to believe women are being discriminated against in hiring processes, and the law regarding maternity leave has certainly been broken on a regular basis,” she declared in the email, which was circulated to colleagues.
‘Discouraged’
Saying that while her personal experience on the UCD campus has been a positive one, Prof James-Chakraborty said she was “discouraged that I can no longer see enough progress on the horizon and thus am unable to continue representing UCD in this [gender equality] role. I cannot stand over the absence of real accountability. UCD’s current approach to equity and diversity is undermining the careers of exactly those it is supposed to serve through time-consuming activities that in too many cases are only window dressing . . . Changing this culture will require relinquishing male privilege, but I recommend precisely that to you as the way forward.”
Unhappy that she had not received a reply from Prof Deeks, Prof James-Chakraborty said it left her with “the strong impression that he was content with the status quo” in the university.
A “lot of highly committed people, disproportionately early career women”, had taken time away from teaching and research to work “very hard” on gender equality issues on the campus, to find that they were “really just window dressing”, she said.
The UCD Gender Equality Action Group oversees the university’s gender equality work and oversees Athena SWAN applications made by the university. The Athena SWAN charter recognises good practice in higher education institutions on gender equality. In March 2017, UCD was awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze Institutional Award for a period of three years.
Apology
On Tuesday, Prof Deeks issued a “President’s Bulletin” by email to staff at UCD addressing the prolonged harassment of Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin at the university. Prof Deeks wrote: “I am greatly saddened that one of our colleagues experienced such traumatic events over an extended period, and on behalf of UCD I have apologised to Aoibhinn and to other colleagues and students who have suffered such experiences while in our care.”
On Thursday, UCD said it had not been the responsiblity of Prof Deeks to reply to Prof James-Chakraborty, but, instead, that was a role for the chair of the gender equality group, Prof Orla Feely.
In her reply last October, Prof Feely said she had been “ disappointed” to learn of Prof James-Chakraborty’s decision to resign. She had been “a strong and consistent voice” for gender equality and “will be missed”.
On Thursday night, Prof Feely told The Irish Times in a statement that a gender equality plan will be published by UCD later this month to “allow all members of the UCD community to be confident” that complaints will be dealt with appropriatlely.
“We are not yet where we want to be, but we are working hard to get there, and I am very grateful to all who are contributing to this effort,” Prof Feely declared.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Gardaí appeal for witnesses after explosive device found in Dublin housing estate

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses in relation to a viable explosive device which led to the evacuation of houses in @ @ @ @ @ Explosive Ordnance Disposal ( EOD ) attended the scene in Rafter ’ s Avenue , @ @ @ @ @ morning .
It conducted a controlled explosion on what looked liked an improvised explosive device @ @ @ @ @ contents are now subject to a technical examination .
Local housing was evacuated and traffic @ @ @ @ @ are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident .
Anyone @ @ @ @ @ of Rafter ’ s Avenue between the hours of 9pm on Wednesday evening and 9am @ @ @ @ @ any unusual activity is asked to come forward .
Similarly , any motorists who were @ @ @ @ @ the same times who may have camera ( dash-cam ) footage are asked to make @ @ @ @ @ information should call Crumlin Garda Station on 01 666 6200 or the Garda Confidential Line @ @ @ @ @

The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) attended the scene in Rafter’s Avenue, Crumlin at 9am on Thursday morning. File photograph: David Sleator
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses in relation to a viable explosive device which led to the evacuation of houses in south Dublin.
The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) attended the scene in Rafter's Avenue, Crumlin at 9am on Thursday morning.
It conducted a controlled explosion on what looked liked an improvised explosive device. The device and its contents are now subject to a technical examination.
Local housing was evacuated and traffic diversions were implemented.
READ MORE
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident.
Anyone who was in the vicinity of Rafter’s Avenue between the hours of 9pm on Wednesday evening and 9am on Thursday morning and noticed any unusual activity is asked to come forward.
Similarly, any motorists who were driving in the area during the same times who may have camera (dash-cam) footage are asked to make contact.
Anyone with any information should call Crumlin Garda Station on 01 666 6200 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Mother of woman (21) who died by suicide leads cyberbullying campaign

The mother of a 21-year-old-woman who took her own life after being bullied online and offline says it was “ the social media that killed her ” .
Jackie Fox has campaigned for cyberbullying to be made a criminal offence in the two years since her daughter Nicole , known as “ Coco ” , died by suicide .
Speaking in Drogheda on Thursday on World Suicide Prevention Day , Ms Fox described what her daughter went through .
Surrounding her , as she spoke to a silent and socially-distancing crowd from the steps of St Peter ’ s Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a symbol of lost lives .
Ms Fox described how the bullying of her daughter began at nightclubs but then moved online where she was bombarded with messages like “ everybody hates you , nobody wants you here anymore ” .
Ms Fox said that even when you come from a happy family and have lots of friends , “ when you are told that so many times , it does get into your head , it got into Nicole ’ s head big time ” .
“ Nicole was physically abused but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed her.
” Ms Fox hit out at the social media channels which were used by bullies “ to annihilate people ” , and said there was nothing in place to protect her daughter or anyone else online .
She urged the public to support her campaign to have “ Coco ’ s law ” passed .
In a statement , the Department of Justice said : “ the Minister is currently working on measures to strengthen the criminal law in respect of harassment and harmful communications , both online and offline , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in technology and changes in the way we communicate.
” The Programme for Government includes a commitment to enact the Harassment and Harmful Communications Bill which would amend existing offences dealing with harassment and “ proposes the introduction of new offences to deal with sending , distributing or publishing intimate images without consent ” .
The department said committee stage amendments were almost ready for Government approval .
Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo @ samaritans.ie or jo @ samaritans.org .
Pieta House can be reached at freephone 1800 @ @ @

Jackie Fox (centre), whose daughter Nicole died by suicide, with Sarah Mannion Butler (left) and Geraldine Swift, whose children have experienced sustained online bullying. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
The mother of a 21-year-old-woman who took her own life after being bullied online and offline says it was “the social media that killed her”.
Jackie Fox has campaigned for cyberbullying to be made a criminal offence in the two years since her daughter Nicole, known as “Coco”, died by suicide.
Speaking in Drogheda on Thursday on World Suicide Prevention Day, Ms Fox described what her daughter went through.
Nicole Fox (21) from Clondalkin, Dublin, took her own life in January, 2018, following a sustained campaign of online bullying.
Surrounding her, as she spoke to a silent and socially-distancing crowd from the steps of St Peter’s Church, were 500 pairs of shoes – a symbol of lost lives.
READ MORE
Ms Fox described how the bullying of her daughter began at nightclubs but then moved online where she was bombarded with messages like “everybody hates you, nobody wants you here anymore”.
Ms Fox said that even when you come from a happy family and have lots of friends, “when you are told that so many times, it does get into your head, it got into Nicole’s head big time”.
“Nicole was physically abused but it was the social media that actually killed her.”
Ms Fox hit out at the social media channels which were used by bullies “to annihilate people”, and said there was nothing in place to protect her daughter or anyone else online.
She urged the public to support her campaign to have “Coco’s law” passed.
In a statement, the Department of Justice said: “the Minister is currently working on measures to strengthen the criminal law in respect of harassment and harmful communications, both online and offline, to ensure that our laws reflect advances in technology and changes in the way we communicate.”
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to enact the Harassment and Harmful Communications Bill which would amend existing offences dealing with harassment and “proposes the introduction of new offences to deal with sending, distributing or publishing intimate images without consent”.
The department said committee stage amendments were almost ready for Government approval.
Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie or jo@samaritans.org. Pieta House can be reached at freephone 1800 247 247.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Two vessels detained by Naval Service for alleged fishing offences

Two Irish fishing vessels were detained by the Irish Naval Service for alleged fishing offences in the Celtic Sea off the south coast of Ireland on Thursday .
The Naval Service confirmed that the LÉ William Butler Yeats detained two Irish-registered fishing vessels approximately 75 nautical miles southeast of Cork Harbour .
Both vessels operate out of Greencastle in Co Donegal and it is understood that they were fishing for prawns and white fish in a fishery known as the Smalls when they were detained before midday .
The two vessels were among 25 Irish trawlers fishing in the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity since the closure of a prawn fishery at the Porcupine Bank off the west coast of Ireland .
Both vessels , one of which left Greencastle on September 4th and the other of which left Dunmore East in Co Waterford on September 6th , were being escorted by the LÉ William Butler Yeats to Cobh .
It is expected that the two vessels will be handed over to An Garda Síochána on arrival at Cobh and their skippers may be charged within 48 hours or summonsed to appear in court at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 10 the number of fishing vessels detained by the Irish Naval Service for alleged fishing offences in Irish waters since the start of 2020 .
The Naval Service conducts at-sea fishery inspections in line with a service level agreement with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority .

Two Irish fishing vessels were detained by the Irish Naval Service for alleged fishing offences in the Celtic Sea off the south coast of Ireland on Thursday.
The Naval Service confirmed that the LÉ William Butler Yeats detained two Irish-registered fishing vessels approximately 75 nautical miles southeast of Cork Harbour.
Both vessels operate out of Greencastle in Co Donegal and it is understood that they were fishing for prawns and white fish in a fishery known as the Smalls when they were detained before midday.
The two vessels were among 25 Irish trawlers fishing in the area, which has seen an increase in activity since the closure of a prawn fishery at the Porcupine Bank off the west coast of Ireland.
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Both vessels, one of which left Greencastle on September 4th and the other of which left Dunmore East in Co Waterford on September 6th, were being escorted by the LÉ William Butler Yeats to Cobh.
It is expected that the two vessels will be handed over to An Garda Síochána on arrival at Cobh and their skippers may be charged within 48 hours or summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
These latest detentions brings to 10 the number of fishing vessels detained by the Irish Naval Service for alleged fishing offences in Irish waters since the start of 2020.
The Naval Service conducts at-sea fishery inspections in line with a service level agreement with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Gardaí object to Achill pub licence renewal on grounds of Covid-19 breaches

Gardaí have objected to the renewal of a licence for a pub on Achill Island in Co Mayo for alleged breaches of Covid-19 regulations in one of the first cases of its kind .
Objecting to a renewal for Ted Lavelle ’ s Public House in Cashel , Achill before Achill District Court , Inspector Dennis Harrington alleged that “ ongoing breaches ” of the Covid-19 rules are occurring .
Two cases have already been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration .
The DPP has directed prosecution for one and a decision is pending on the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued more prosecutions against licensee , Joseph Fadian , Insp Harrington said the State “ doesn ’ t take lightly an application to remove a man ’ s livelihood ” .
Gardaí did want local compliance with Covid regulations and every other Achill licensed premises had been inspected the same number of times “ without any issues ” , the officer said .
However , Mr Fadian has “ consistently ignored ” advice from the four local gardaí .
The objection was “ a last resort ” , Insp Harrington told Judge Fiona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until November .
In the meantime , gardaí will monitor the pub ’ s conduct .
A different attitude “ may ” be taken then if they see a change of approach by Mr Fadian .
Defending solicitor Rory O ’ Connor said the publican had not been given the mandatory 21 days ’ notice , and that the gardaí ’ s application was flawed as a consequence .
The publican feels he is compliant , and has a “ difference of opinion ” with gardaí , he said .
He asked that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his client to discuss what breaches are taking place .
He said the precise regulations are evolving regularly .
Even ministers are not fully clear about them and he asked how could publicans be fully up to speed with them as a consequence .
The solicitor also asked if there was any publication that set out the regulations .
He said he did not want to do so , but that he could write to the inspector asking him to specify which regulations were being breached .
However , Insp Harrington said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including rules that customers can not sit at bar counters and that drink must be brought to tables and that customers must have a meal .
“ It will be alleged by the State that he is openly in breach of them [ regulations ] .
.
.
We ’ ve given the advice , it ’ s not rocket science .
The regulations are very clear , ” he declared .
“ You can not be served at the counter , you must be seated and you can not remain there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is failing to comply regularly , that is our allegation .
He continues to ignore the advice given , ” said Insp Harrington .
Mr Fadian had an obligation to be in compliance with the Health Act 1947 as amended , he said .
Insp Harrington said each of the four gardaí in Achill had already given such advice to Mr Fadian .
He said if Mr Fadian “ changes his ways ” in two months , the matter “ may not trouble the court ” .
The judge said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
She advised Mr O ’ Connor to have a discussion with his client , adjourned the matter to November 12th and directed Mr Fadian to obey existing , and new regulations .

The court was told two cases involving breaches of Covid-19 regulations have already been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration. File photograph: Getty
Gardaí have objected to the renewal of a licence for a pub on Achill Island in Co Mayo for alleged breaches of Covid-19 regulations in one of the first cases of its kind.
Objecting to a renewal for Ted Lavelle's Public House in Cashel, Achill before Achill District Court, Inspector Dennis Harrington alleged that "ongoing breaches" of the Covid-19 rules are occurring.
Two cases have already been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration. The DPP has directed prosecution for one and a decision is pending on the second.
Saying that local gardaí could have issued more prosecutions against licensee, Joseph Fadian, Insp Harrington said the State "doesn't take lightly an application to remove a man's livelihood". Gardaí did want local compliance with Covid regulations and every other Achill licensed premises had been inspected the same number of times "without any issues", the officer said.
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However, Mr Fadian has "consistently ignored" advice from the four local gardaí. The objection was "a last resort", Insp Harrington told Judge Fiona Lydon.
He asked for an adjournment until November. In the meantime, gardaí will monitor the pub’s conduct. A different attitude “may” be taken then if they see a change of approach by Mr Fadian.
Defending solicitor Rory O’Connor said the publican had not been given the mandatory 21 days’ notice, and that the gardaí’s application was flawed as a consequence.
The publican feels he is compliant, and has a “difference of opinion” with gardaí, he said. He asked that gardaí go to the premises with him and his client to discuss what breaches are taking place.
He said the precise regulations are evolving regularly. Even ministers are not fully clear about them and he asked how could publicans be fully up to speed with them as a consequence.
The solicitor also asked if there was any publication that set out the regulations. He said he did not want to do so, but that he could write to the inspector asking him to specify which regulations were being breached.
Regulations clear
However, Insp Harrington said some regulations were clear from the start, including rules that customers cannot sit at bar counters and that drink must be brought to tables and that customers must have a meal.
“It will be alleged by the State that he is openly in breach of them [regulations] . . . We’ve given the advice, it’s not rocket science. The regulations are very clear,” he declared.
“ You cannot be served at the counter, you must be seated and you cannot remain there longer than one hour and 45 minutes. He is failing to comply regularly, that is our allegation. He continues to ignore the advice given,” said Insp Harrington. Mr Fadian had an obligation to be in compliance with the Health Act 1947 as amended, he said.
Insp Harrington said each of the four gardaí in Achill had already given such advice to Mr Fadian.
He said if Mr Fadian “changes his ways” in two months, the matter “may not trouble the court”.
The judge said the State had been “more than reasonable”. She advised Mr O’Connor to have a discussion with his client, adjourned the matter to November 12th and directed Mr Fadian to obey existing, and new regulations.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--New Covid-19 restrictions for ‘hotspots’ of Belfast and parts of Co Antrim

Fresh restrictions to limit the spread of coronavirus are to be been imposed in Belfast and other parts of Co Antrim .
The measures were announced following a meeting of the Northern Executive on Thursday , which also agreed an indicative date of September 21st for the reopening of pubs and bars not serving food .
Ministers agreed that the latest restrictions will apply within the Belfast City Council area , as well as the town of Ballymena and the adjoining postcode area of BT43 , as well as in BT28 and BT29 , which cover Crumlin and part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from different households are to be prohibited from meeting in private homes , and the numbers allowed to meet in gardens will be limited to no more than six from two households .
There are a number of exemptions , including for child care and other caring responsibilities .
People have also been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to work from home where possible , and to limit visits to care homes and hospitals .
These were areas , First Minister Arlene Foster said , “ where the spread is of particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treble the average rate for the province ” .
The measures will become law from next week and remain in force for a minimum of two weeks , but Ms Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill urged people to begin following them immediately .
Speaking at a Stormont press conference , Ms O ’ Neill described the new measures as “ necessary and proportionate in the context of the public health crisis that is upon us ” .
She said action had to be taken in the “ hotspots ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be added .
“ It ’ s important that people who live outside these areas do not think that they are invincible.
” The North ’ s Department of Health on Thursday reported one further Covid-19 death , brings the total number of fatalities recorded by it to 568 .
An additional 78 people tested positive for coronavirus , bring to 8,035 the total number of confirmed cases in the North since the pandemic began .
Ms Foster also warned of the dangers of house parties and gatherings in private homes , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it had issued 10 community resolution notices and eight fixed penalty notices after being called to house parties in the student Holyland area of Belfast in the early hours of Thursday .
This follows a series of arrests for a number of offences in the area in recent day , police said .
Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said they had given “ advice and guidance at a number of residential properties ” but “ 18 of those people we spoke with failed to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and at one house “ we discovered a group of people hiding in a small bathroom ” .
Ms Foster said : “ The villain is not businesses , where customer behaviours are regulated .
It is in our homes - it is the house party , it is the dinner party , it is a few people coming round for drinks or coffee .
“ Complacency is our enemy , ” she said , adding that everyone in Northern Ireland should “ think carefully about your actions ” and “ ensure you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to protect others .
”

First Minister Arlene Foster (left) and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill during a media briefing at Parliament Buildings in Stormont, Belfast on Thursday. Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA Wire.
Fresh restrictions to limit the spread of coronavirus are to be been imposed in Belfast and other parts of Co Antrim.
The measures were announced following a meeting of the Northern Executive on Thursday, which also agreed an indicative date of September 21st for the reopening of pubs and bars not serving food.
Ministers agreed that the latest restrictions will apply within the Belfast City Council area, as well as the town of Ballymena and the adjoining postcode area of BT43, as well as in BT28 and BT29, which cover Crumlin and part of Lisburn.
In those areas, people from different households are to be prohibited from meeting in private homes, and the numbers allowed to meet in gardens will be limited to no more than six from two households.
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There are a number of exemptions, including for child care and other caring responsibilities. People have also been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to work from home where possible, and to limit visits to care homes and hospitals.
These were areas, First Minister Arlene Foster said, "where the spread is of particular concern, where cases are double or treble the average rate for the province".
The measures will become law from next week and remain in force for a minimum of two weeks, but Ms Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill urged people to begin following them immediately.
Speaking at a Stormont press conference, Ms O’Neill described the new measures as “necessary and proportionate in the context of the public health crisis that is upon us”.
‘Hotspots’
She said action had to be taken in the “hotspots” and warned that other postcode areas could be added. “It’s important that people who live outside these areas do not think that they are invincible.”
The North’s Department of Health on Thursday reported one further Covid-19 death, brings the total number of fatalities recorded by it to 568. An additional 78 people tested positive for coronavirus, bring to 8,035 the total number of confirmed cases in the North since the pandemic began.
Ms Foster also warned of the dangers of house parties and gatherings in private homes, which have been linked to the increase in cases.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it had issued 10 community resolution notices and eight fixed penalty notices after being called to house parties in the student Holyland area of Belfast in the early hours of Thursday. This follows a series of arrests for a number of offences in the area in recent day, police said.
Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said they had given “advice and guidance at a number of residential properties” but “18 of those people we spoke with failed to understand the seriousness of the situation”, and at one house “we discovered a group of people hiding in a small bathroom”.
Ms Foster said: “The villain is not businesses, where customer behaviours are regulated. It is in our homes - it is the house party, it is the dinner party, it is a few people coming round for drinks or coffee.
"Complacency is our enemy," she said, adding that everyone in Northern Ireland should "think carefully about your actions" and "ensure you do the right thing to protect yourself, to protect others."


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Quotas for young people in politics suggested to attract them

Quotas for young people in politics , similar to gender quotas , and lowering the voting age to 16 , were among the measures needed to attract young people into politics , an online forum heard on Thursday .
Hosted by the trade-union think-tank Tasc and titled Fit for purpose ?
Does traditional politics work for young people ?
, it heard from a range involved in activism , the media and the Oireachtas .
Amanda Adewole , a youth worker and presenter of the Box ’ d Out podcast , said when she heard the word ‘ politics ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The only way that ’ s going to change is by breaking down barriers and making politics a space for younger people .
Politics can feel very far away and dominated by older people so you can feel a bit removed from it almost ” .
She said young people felt generally disrespected by politicians .
There was a widespread preconception “ that young people have nothing to add to the conversation ” which put them off getting involved .
While young people had a responsibility to get involved in political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ of political parties ] to open the door to young people - and they will come in ” .
Aoife Grace Moore , political correspondent with the Irish Examiner , said she wished there was no need for quotas but “ there are so many unconscious biases ” .
People from diverse backgrounds and age cohorts needed to be visible in politics if it was to be relevant .
“ So if quotas are what it takes to get women and young people on boards and into politics , why not ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not interested in politics , she added , “ they ’ re just not interested in the Dáil ” .
Mairéad Farrell , TD ( Sinn Féin ) said quotas were necessary to ensure politics were “ reflective of the whole of society ” .
She was elected to Galway City Council when she was 24 and she would encourage young people who were interested to “ go for it ” .
Key , however , would be central government devolving more power to local authorities ’ councillors .
“ If we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local politics we need to be able to say , ‘ You can achieve things ’ .
We need more power at local level , absolutely.
” Senator Malcolm Byrne agreed with a call from a viewer for the voting age be reduced from 18 to 16 and rejected fears that young people would vote for populist candidates .
They were no more likely to than any other age group to , he said .
“ I agree with the vote at age 16 , especially for local elections , as there would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just a legislative one .
There is a commitment in the Programme for government of looking at that and I know government has been looking at the Scottish model.
” Toto Daly ( 17 ) , a climate justice activist , said local communities must be empowered to tackle local issues .
Many people her age were passionate about campaigning for climate justice because “ it really is a matter of life and death .
.
.
I don ’ t want to wake up in 50 years and look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinking to myself I could have done more ” .

Deputy Mairéad Farrell (Sinn Féin) was elected to Galway City Council when she was 24 and she would encourage young people who were interested to ‘go for it’. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Quotas for young people in politics, similar to gender quotas, and lowering the voting age to 16, were among the measures needed to attract young people into politics, an online forum heard on Thursday.
Hosted by the independent think-tank Tasc and titled Fit for purpose? Does traditional politics work for young people?, it heard from a range involved in activism, the media and the Oireachtas.
Amanda Adewole, a youth worker and presenter of the Box'd Out podcast, said when she heard the word 'politics' she thought "middle aged white men.
“The only way that’s going to change is by breaking down barriers and making politics a space for younger people. Politics can feel very far away and dominated by older people so you can feel a bit removed from it almost”.
READ MORE
She said young people felt generally disrespected by politicians. There was a widespread preconception “that young people have nothing to add to the conversation” which put them off getting involved.
While young people had a responsibility to get involved in political issues it was also “the responsibility [of political parties] to open the door to young people - and they will come in”.
Aoife Grace Moore, political correspondent with the Irish Examiner, said she wished there was no need for quotas but "there are so many unconscious biases". People from diverse backgrounds and age cohorts needed to be visible in politics if it was to be relevant.
“So if quotas are what it takes to get women and young people on boards and into politics , why not?” It was not that young people were not interested in politics, she added, “they’re just not interested in the Dáil”.
Mairéad Farrell, TD (Sinn Féin) said quotas were necessary to ensure politics were “reflective of the whole of society”. She was elected to Galway City Council when she was 24 and she would encourage young people who were interested to “go for it”.
Key, however, would be central government devolving more power to local authorities’ councillors.
“If we want to get people more involved in local politics we need to be able to say, ‘You can achieve things’. We need more power at local level, absolutely.”
Senator Malcolm Byrne agreed with a call from a viewer for the voting age be reduced from 18 to 16 and rejected fears that young people would vote for populist candidates. They were no more likely to than any other age group to, he said.
“I agree with the vote at age 16, especially for local elections, as there would be no need for a Constitutional change, just a legislative one. There is a commitment in the Programme for government of looking at that and I know government has been looking at the Scottish model.”
Toto Daly (17), a climate justice activist, said local communities must be empowered to tackle local issues.
Many people her age were passionate about campaigning for climate justice because “it really is a matter of life and death . . . I don’t want to wake up in 50 years and look at the news and see the world dying, thinking to myself I could have done more”.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Surge in GP referrals forces HSE to ration testing capacity

The rise in coronavirus cases and suspected infections has forced the Health Service Executive to reprioritise and ultimately ration its Covid-19 testing given its capacity to conduct 100,000 tests a week .
When the virus was at lower levels in the community , testing could be focused on asymptomatic cases to catch the virus in riskier settings such as nursing homes and meat plants .
In recent weeks , the rise in infections and the increased number of people contacting their GPs with symptoms has forced the HSE to change approach to focus on those who may have the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HSE came on Monday when there were 13,000 referrals for testing from GPs , more than double the figure for the previous Monday .
Not all tests would be done that day but a further 8,000 referrals from GPs the following day meant the HSE had to “ triage ” testing to staying with the daily limit of 14,000 to 15,000 tests .
Schoolchildren with respiratory tract infections and people showing symptoms of the disease in north Dublin where infections are higher accounted for a large proportion of the referrals .
Some 13,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was all the system had to test , but there can be 2,000 to 4,000 Covid-19 tests required in hospitals on a given day , so the serial testing was going to fall victim in order to test sick people and still not breach the daily limit .
Outbreaks in food processing plants were the cause of local lockdowns in Kildare , Laois and Offaly last month – and the HSE is still testing in those plants when there are outbreaks – but mass testing in these settings has been postponed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The HSE justified this by noting that the positivity rate in symptomatic testing was running at six times the rate in serial testing in meat plants .
Mass testing will continue in nursing homes , the highest-risk setting given how vulnerable older people are to the virus .
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said it had 350 swabbers and 280 contact tracers working on any given day , all on 12-hour shifts , seven days a week .
The health service is seeking to recruit permanently for 700 swabbing jobs and 500 contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the war footing of recent months to an established system for Covid-19 testing and tracing .
He hinted that the HSE may have to look at increasing the 100,000 weekly testing capacity if necessary .
Based on the recent trend of increasing infections and referrals from the community , the permanent regime may require much greater capacity to tide the health service through the winter .

Mass testing will continue in nursing homes, the highest-risk setting given how vulnerable older people are to the virus. Photograph: Angus Mordant/Bloomberg
The rise in coronavirus cases and suspected infections has forced the Health Service Executive to reprioritise and ultimately ration its Covid-19 testing given its capacity to conduct 100,000 tests a week.
When the virus was at lower levels in the community, testing could be focused on asymptomatic cases to catch the virus in riskier settings such as nursing homes and meat plants.
In recent weeks, the rise in infections and the increased number of people contacting their GPs with symptoms has forced the HSE to change approach to focus on those who may have the disease.
The first warning sign for the HSE came on Monday when there were 13,000 referrals for testing from GPs, more than double the figure for the previous Monday.
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Not all tests would be done that day but a further 8,000 referrals from GPs the following day meant the HSE had to “triage” testing to staying with the daily limit of 14,000 to 15,000 tests.
Hospital needs
Schoolchildren with respiratory tract infections and people showing symptoms of the disease in north Dublin where infections are higher accounted for a large proportion of the referrals.
Some 13,000 referrals from GPs might be manageable if that was all the system had to test, but there can be 2,000 to 4,000 Covid-19 tests required in hospitals on a given day, so the serial testing was going to fall victim in order to test sick people and still not breach the daily limit.
Outbreaks in food processing plants were the cause of local lockdowns in Kildare, Laois and Offaly last month – and the HSE is still testing in those plants when there are outbreaks – but mass testing in these settings has been postponed to save testing capacity for symptomatic referrals.
Nursing homes
The HSE justified this by noting that the positivity rate in symptomatic testing was running at six times the rate in serial testing in meat plants. Mass testing will continue in nursing homes, the highest-risk setting given how vulnerable older people are to the virus.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said it had 350 swabbers and 280 contact tracers working on any given day, all on 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. The health service is seeking to recruit permanently for 700 swabbing jobs and 500 contact tracers as it seeks to move from the war footing of recent months to an established system for Covid-19 testing and tracing.
He hinted that the HSE may have to look at increasing the 100,000 weekly testing capacity if necessary. Based on the recent trend of increasing infections and referrals from the community, the permanent regime may require much greater capacity to tide the health service through the winter.