theirishtimes--2020-07-24--Covid-19: Hospital refused to admit patient from coronavirus-hit Dublin nursing home

A sick resident at a Co Dublin nursing home who was sent to a hospital at the height of a Covid-19 outbreak , was sent back because they did not meet admissions criteria , correspondence shows .
A letter released by the Health Service Executive details desperate attempts by Tara Winthrop Private Clinic in Swords , one of the worst-hit nursing homes during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic , to seek urgent replacements for ill staff , more personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and urgent testing for staff and residents .
The letter , sent to then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April as the home battled an outbreak , was released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act .
The correspondence followed two earlier pleas for help to Mr Harris on the weekend of March 20th-21st , which were disclosed by this newspaper earlier this month , and again on April 1st .
Some 18 confirmed and five suspected Covid-19 deaths were recorded at the 140-bed facility .
The nursing home emailed Mr Harris on April 3rd to “ again appeal for your urgent intervention and assistance ” as it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It set out under various headings the emergency it was facing as “ front line feedback from a nursing home in crisis ” .
The email was sent as a follow-up to an April 1st letter to Mr Harris in which the home described its situation as “ extremely critical ” with close to 50 per cent of residents showing Covid-19 symptoms .
The private care home warned the minister in that letter that if it did not receive immediate support , it could not provide safe working conditions for staff or necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no choice but to transfer residents to an acute hospital ( as has been requested a number of times ) ” .
In the April 3rd email , the home gave an update on Covid-19 deaths and cases , and complained that many frontline staff were out sick and “ waiting for swabs and for [ Covid-19 ] test results for many days ” .
“ It is likely the home has one of the highest clusters [ of coronavirus infection ] of any nursing home or hospital and we can not get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be no priority for us .
Informed sources tell us that staff and patients in acute hospitals get results the same day.
” The nursing home said it was experiencing a “ critical shortage ” of PPE and that the quantity of gowns it had received from the HSE would last just hours .
It needed 1,050 gowns a day but that “ today we got 100 XXL suits !
” the home said .
Notwithstanding the replacement staff it received from the HSE and the support from public health officials , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critically short [ of staff ] and can not provide safe care to residents ” .
It had one unit where the rostered nurse was now symptomatic and it had no nurse that night .
“ If we don ’ t find a solution within a few hours , we will have to transfer residents in this unit to an acute hospital , ” the home warned .
“ One resident who is acutely unwell needed hospital care today and was sent by ambulance to an acute hospital and returned to us one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having been told that they did not meet admission criteria.
” The nursing home told the minister it was forwarding the letter to then taoiseach Leo Varadkar ’ s office .
In response to the letter being forwarded , David Walsh , the HSE ’ s director for community operations , told Kathleen MacLellan , assistant secretary for social care at the Department of Health , that Tara Winthrop was “ the most supported private nursing home in the country ” .
“ The value of support provided to date is in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support will continue in the interests of residents ’ safety , ” he wrote .
Tara Winthrop has since said that it had “ attained the necessary assistance and resources required to ensure the safety of residents and staff .
”

A sick resident at a Co Dublin nursing home who was sent to a hospital at the height of a Covid-19 outbreak, was sent back because they did not meet admissions criteria, correspondence shows.
A letter released by the Health Service Executive details desperate attempts by Tara Winthrop Private Clinic in Swords, one of the worst-hit nursing homes during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic, to seek urgent replacements for ill staff, more personal protective equipment (PPE) and urgent testing for staff and residents.
The letter, sent to then minister for health Simon Harris in early April as the home battled an outbreak, was released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act.
The correspondence followed two earlier pleas for help to Mr Harris on the weekend of March 20th-21st, which were disclosed by this newspaper earlier this month, and again on April 1st. Some 18 confirmed and five suspected Covid-19 deaths were recorded at the 140-bed facility.
READ MORE
The nursing home emailed Mr Harris on April 3rd to “again appeal for your urgent intervention and assistance” as it was struggling to cope with the outbreak. It set out under various headings the emergency it was facing as “front line feedback from a nursing home in crisis”.
The email was sent as a follow-up to an April 1st letter to Mr Harris in which the home described its situation as “extremely critical” with close to 50 per cent of residents showing Covid-19 symptoms.
The private care home warned the minister in that letter that if it did not receive immediate support, it could not provide safe working conditions for staff or necessary care for residents and would “have no choice but to transfer residents to an acute hospital (as has been requested a number of times)”.
In the April 3rd email, the home gave an update on Covid-19 deaths and cases, and complained that many frontline staff were out sick and “waiting for swabs and for [Covid-19] test results for many days”.
“It is likely the home has one of the highest clusters [of coronavirus infection] of any nursing home or hospital and we cannot get swabs or results and there appears to be no priority for us. Informed sources tell us that staff and patients in acute hospitals get results the same day.”
The nursing home said it was experiencing a “critical shortage” of PPE and that the quantity of gowns it had received from the HSE would last just hours. It needed 1,050 gowns a day but that “today we got 100 XXL suits!” the home said.
Notwithstanding the replacement staff it received from the HSE and the support from public health officials, the nursing home said it was still “critically short [of staff] and cannot provide safe care to residents”. It had one unit where the rostered nurse was now symptomatic and it had no nurse that night.
“If we don’t find a solution within a few hours, we will have to transfer residents in this unit to an acute hospital,” the home warned.
“One resident who is acutely unwell needed hospital care today and was sent by ambulance to an acute hospital and returned to us one and [a] half hours later having been told that they did not meet admission criteria.”
The nursing home told the minister it was forwarding the letter to then taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s office.
In response to the letter being forwarded, David Walsh, the HSE's director for community operations, told Kathleen MacLellan, assistant secretary for social care at the Department of Health, that Tara Winthrop was "the most supported private nursing home in the country".
“The value of support provided to date is in the 10s of thousands of euro. This support will continue in the interests of residents’ safety,” he wrote.
Tara Winthrop has since said that it had “attained the necessary assistance and resources required to ensure the safety of residents and staff.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-24--Covid-19: Government to unveil plan worth millions of euro for reopening of schools

The Government intends to open schools fully at the end of August and will unveil a plan in the coming days aimed at allowing all pupils to return to class safely .
Tens of millions of euro will be made available to schools to fund structural alterations to classrooms and improve bathrooms for hand-washing , along with daily cleaning and hygiene routines , it is understood .
In addition , enhanced supervision and substitution will be provided to cover an expected increase in teacher absences .
This is in light of official guidance that states teachers with any symptoms should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Micheál Martin is to meet Minister for Education Norma Foley on Friday morning at the Department of Education to discuss the plans .
It is expected the plan will be brought to Cabinet for approval early next week and published afterwards .
Mr Martin is understood to have emphasised to Ms Foley and other Ministers that reopening schools is the Government ’ s single biggest priority in the coming weeks .
Privately , a number of political sources close to Mr Martin , and also those close to the other coalition parties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be ruinous if the schools fail to open for pupils five days a week .
“ Nothing is more important for the Government politically , ” said one high-ranking source .
“ Nothing.
” Dr Ronan Glynn , the State ’ s acting chief medical officer , said on Thursday the schools were “ absolutely on track ” to reopen based on how the Covid-19 infection rate had stabilised .
Detailed guidelines will be issued to schools next week with templates on safe classroom layouts and protocols for a Covid-19 outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective equipment are being contracted centrally and will be distributed to schools .
Teachers ’ unions have signalled they will support the reopening as long as it is safe and supports are in place .
Kieran Christie of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland said his members would abide by public health guidelines as long as there are “ no attempts to cut corners ” .
Separately , the Government has privately warned of potential liabilities arising from legal actions taken against the State by Leaving Cert students due to the introduction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The warning is contained in internal briefing notes released under Freedom of Information .

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar says it would reflect badly on Ireland were it to be the only country Europe where schools did not re-open in September following the coronavirus pandemic. Video: Oireachtas TV
The Government intends to open schools fully at the end of August and will unveil a plan in the coming days aimed at allowing all pupils to return to class safely.
Tens of millions of euro will be made available to schools to fund structural alterations to classrooms and improve bathrooms for hand-washing, along with daily cleaning and hygiene routines, it is understood.
(Q&A: Will my child return to school full-time in autumn?)
In addition, enhanced supervision and substitution will be provided to cover an expected increase in teacher absences. This is in light of official guidance that states teachers with any symptoms should stay away from the classroom.
READ MORE
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is to meet Minister for Education Norma Foley on Friday morning at the Department of Education to discuss the plans. It is expected the plan will be brought to Cabinet for approval early next week and published afterwards.
Mr Martin is understood to have emphasised to Ms Foley and other Ministers that reopening schools is the Government's single biggest priority in the coming weeks.
Privately, a number of political sources close to Mr Martin, and also those close to the other coalition parties, believe the political consequences for the Government will be ruinous if the schools fail to open for pupils five days a week.
“Nothing is more important for the Government politically,” said one high-ranking source. “Nothing.”
‘On track’
Dr Ronan Glynn, the State’s acting chief medical officer, said on Thursday the schools were “absolutely on track” to reopen based on how the Covid-19 infection rate had stabilised.
Detailed guidelines will be issued to schools next week with templates on safe classroom layouts and protocols for a Covid-19 outbreak.
Large quantities of hand sanitiser and personal protective equipment are being contracted centrally and will be distributed to schools.
Teachers’ unions have signalled they will support the reopening as long as it is safe and supports are in place.
Kieran Christie of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland said his members would abide by public health guidelines as long as there are "no attempts to cut corners".
Separately, the Government has privately warned of potential liabilities arising from legal actions taken against the State by Leaving Cert students due to the introduction of the new predicted grades model this year.
The warning is contained in internal briefing notes released under Freedom of Information.


theirishtimes--2020-07-24--The river Shannon – an income stream struggling to recover from coronavirus

Barbara Smyth ’ s family has run Silver Line Cruisers from its base on the river Shannon in Banagher , Co Offaly , for nearly 50 years .
There have been good times and bad , but few periods have been like the last few months .
Silver Line is now the only Irish-owned cruiser company operating on the Shannon .
The 12-week closure ordered due to the Covid-19 restrictions cost it some 2,500 customers and the majority of its annual income .
In normal times Silver Line cruisers is booked out from Easter on , with its season running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything along the Shannon – restaurants , pubs , and touring companies – had to close , just like the cruise firm .
However , a few signs of sunshine are starting to emerge , and Silver Line now has all of its 40 cruisers rented .
“ Everyone is upbeat and positive looking forward to their holiday and exploring , ” said Smyth .
The firm was started by her father in the early 1970s with just rowing boats .
Usually 70 per cent of its business comes from Germany , Austrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish trade is key .
Smyth said customers were there as Shannon cruising is “ ideal in the current situation because people are self-contained and semi-isolated out on the water ” .
She said the company ’ s 10 full-time staff and 20 part-timers were all back at work , but everyone on the Shannon , not just Silver Line , was praying for a benign and busy September and October .
Stephen Conlon , director of the Irish Boat Rental Association , said there were nearly 18,000 rented cruisers on the Shannon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the opportunity to grow ” the domestic market .
He said so far domestic trade had risen by 20 per cent , but “ it is not going to recoup money lost from overseas visitors ” , adding that some 630 overseas clients were yet to cancel their bookings .
The Shannon is the key ingredient in Fáilte Ireland ’ s Hidden Heartlands campaign , the lesser-known sister of the already hugely-successful Atlantic Way .
In 2018 , 885,000 tourists visited , some 433,000 of them from abroad .
Even though it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s tourist traffic , the Blueways , a network of water trails run by Waterways Ireland , has brought significant numbers to towns such as Portumna , Terryglass and Garrykennedy .
The effects of Covid-19 are heavily felt by Paddy ’ s Bar in Terryglass , Co Tipperary .
“ In a village with two pubs , tourism is our business here .
The excess for the summer keeps us going through the winter , and that ’ s gone now , ” said Maireád Tierney , the bar owner .
Paddy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2006 , in a popular stop for holidaymakers cruising on Lough Derg , and these tourists account for 75 per cent of its sales .
The pub has seen challenges before – the no-smoking ban , the recession – “ but this has been the biggest change ” , said Tierney .
“ On Sunday , March 15th , I cried because I could not believe we were closing .
It wasn ’ t the money , but the people and staff.
” The 200-year-old pub has reopened , serving food , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are challenging in a pub that relies on its friendly charm .
“ I ’ m going to have to financially review my business to continue into the winter .
Our business is made off the boats , and the six weeks left of summer is not enough , ” she told The Irish Times last week .
Becky McKenna , the owner of Lough Derg Water Sports at Kilgarvan Quay in Co Tipperary , has thrown everything she can into offering children ’ s summer camps in a bid to save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her centre usually opens in Easter .
This year it did so on May 27th , but with limited numbers .
Normally it would have two 20-strong groups , plus private tours .
Initially this year groups were kept to just four , but that has now risen to 15 .
She is handling just one group a day now instead of two .
“ Social distancing with kids is really hard , ” said McKenna , who has bought more wet-suits and supplies of PPE to stay within sanitation regulations .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the house after so long and back into nature.
” Dick Ridge , owner of Podumna Village in Portumna , Co Galway , said his “ glamping ” business lost “ two-thirds ” of its income because of the closure , but was now seeing a “ lift in sales because people are not going overseas ” .
Preparing to reopen on June 29th , Ridge was nervous .
A wedding had been put off , 10 hen parties had been cancelled .
“ It was heart-breaking , ” he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dave Price , whose Fish Tracker Ireland business in Carrick-On-Shannon , Co Leitrim , has brought clients to “ secret ” locations for coarse angling business , said his trade had been “ destroyed ” this year .
Last year he branched out , getting LEADER funding for tours on the Shannon .
With the sudden lockdown , Price said he now had “ no business at all ” .
“ It ’ s devastating to think nearly 70 per cent of the yearly income is lost.
” The business was able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clients worry “ about how they will be welcomed into the country when more restrictions are lifted ” .
Some 60 per cent of his clients are foreign , mostly British .
He said there was an appetite for fishing holidays in Ireland .
Last week six Chinese tourists came from Dublin and wanted to learn how to fish .
“ It ’ s impossible to social distance on a boat , ” he admitted

Barbara Smyth's family has run Silver Line Cruisers from its base on the river Shannon in Banagher, Co Offaly, for nearly 50 years. There have been good times and bad, but few periods have been like the last few months.
Silver Line is now the only Irish-owned cruiser company operating on the Shannon. The 12-week closure ordered due to the Covid-19 restrictions cost it some 2,500 customers and the majority of its annual income.
In normal times Silver Line cruisers is booked out from Easter on, with its season running from mid-March to October. This year everything along the Shannon – restaurants, pubs, and touring companies – had to close, just like the cruise firm.
However, a few signs of sunshine are starting to emerge, and Silver Line now has all of its 40 cruisers rented. “Everyone is upbeat and positive looking forward to their holiday and exploring,” said Smyth.
READ MORE
The firm was started by her father in the early 1970s with just rowing boats. Usually 70 per cent of its business comes from Germany, Austrian or Switzerland, yet this year the Irish trade is key.
Smyth said customers were there as Shannon cruising is “ideal in the current situation because people are self-contained and semi-isolated out on the water”.
She said the company’s 10 full-time staff and 20 part-timers were all back at work, but everyone on the Shannon, not just Silver Line, was praying for a benign and busy September and October.
Stephen Conlon, director of the Irish Boat Rental Association, said there were nearly 18,000 rented cruisers on the Shannon last year, and this year gives "the opportunity to grow" the domestic market.
He said so far domestic trade had risen by 20 per cent, but “it is not going to recoup money lost from overseas visitors”, adding that some 630 overseas clients were yet to cancel their bookings.
Water trails
The Shannon is the key ingredient in Fáilte Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands campaign, the lesser-known sister of the already hugely-successful Atlantic Way. In 2018, 885,000 tourists visited, some 433,000 of them from abroad.
Even though it still attracts a minority of Ireland's tourist traffic, the Blueways, a network of water trails run by Waterways Ireland, has brought significant numbers to towns such as Portumna, Terryglass and Garrykennedy.
The effects of Covid-19 are heavily felt by Paddy's Bar in Terryglass, Co Tipperary. "In a village with two pubs, tourism is our business here. The excess for the summer keeps us going through the winter, and that's gone now," said Maireád Tierney, the bar owner.
It's devastating to think nearly 70% of the yearly income is lost
Paddy’s Bar, owned by Tierney since 2006, in a popular stop for holidaymakers cruising on Lough Derg, and these tourists account for 75 per cent of its sales.
The pub has seen challenges before – the no-smoking ban, the recession – “but this has been the biggest change”, said Tierney. “On Sunday, March 15th, I cried because I could not believe we were closing. It wasn’t the money, but the people and staff.”
The 200-year-old pub has reopened, serving food, though the safety guidelines, complete with PPE, are challenging in a pub that relies on its friendly charm.
“I’m going to have to financially review my business to continue into the winter. Our business is made off the boats, and the six weeks left of summer is not enough,” she told The Irish Times last week.
Becky McKenna, the owner of Lough Derg Water Sports at Kilgarvan Quay in Co Tipperary, has thrown everything she can into offering children’s summer camps in a bid to save what she can from the season.
Her centre usually opens in Easter. This year it did so on May 27th, but with limited numbers. Normally it would have two 20-strong groups, plus private tours. Initially this year groups were kept to just four, but that has now risen to 15. She is handling just one group a day now instead of two.
“Social distancing with kids is really hard,” said McKenna, who has bought more wet-suits and supplies of PPE to stay within sanitation regulations. “Parents want to get their children out of the house after so long and back into nature.”
Closure
Dick Ridge, owner of Podumna Village in Portumna, Co Galway, said his "glamping" business lost "two-thirds" of its income because of the closure, but was now seeing a "lift in sales because people are not going overseas".
Preparing to reopen on June 29th, Ridge was nervous. A wedding had been put off, 10 hen parties had been cancelled. “It was heart-breaking,” he said, but booking have risen steadily since then.
Dave Price, whose Fish Tracker Ireland business in Carrick-On-Shannon, Co Leitrim, has brought clients to "secret" locations for coarse angling business, said his trade had been "destroyed" this year.
Last year he branched out, getting LEADER funding for tours on the Shannon. With the sudden lockdown, Price said he now had “no business at all”.
“It’s devastating to think nearly 70 per cent of the yearly income is lost.”
The business was able to open in June, but foreign clients worry “about how they will be welcomed into the country when more restrictions are lifted”.
Some 60 per cent of his clients are foreign, mostly British.
He said there was an appetite for fishing holidays in Ireland. Last week six Chinese tourists came from Dublin and wanted to learn how to fish.
“It’s impossible to social distance on a boat,” he admitted


theirishtimes--2020-07-24--Leaving Cert predicted grades could lead to lawsuits, Ministers are warned

Ministers have been warned by Government officials of potential lawsuits being taken by Leaving Cert students against the State due to the introduction of predicted grades this year .
They have also been advised that the cost of implementing the Sláintecare health reform programme is now likely to be greater than the original €5.8 billion estimate and that “ specific elements such as additional nurses and consultants , hospital beds and home help hours will need to be implemented in a manner consistent with sustainable budgeting ” .
The warnings are contained in briefing material prepared for Minister for Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The documents also reveal that there are concerns that some public authorities may face prosecution by the Pensions Authority arising from deficits in the administration of the pension scheme for more than 140,000 State employees recruited since 2014 .
The Single Pension Scheme , as it is known , was very complex to administer as it was based on career average earnings , the briefing papers state .
“ To date , compliance with the legislative requirements of the scheme by employers has been poor , ” they say .
“ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be robustly administered over the long term , proper supports are needed .
Otherwise errors will be made and compliance will remain an issue .
This presents potential legal risks to the State and if challenged could undermine the scheme itself.
” In May , the then government announced that the Leaving Cert exams were being postponed and a new calculated grades system was being introduced based on students ’ schoolwork .
At the time , then minister for education Joe McHugh conceded there were “ legal vulnerabilities ” relating to the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have briefed Ministers on areas of concern regarding students ’ legitimate expectations to be able to sit an exam , as well as their right to take up a college place after sitting the Leaving Cert .
Some legal sources also say hundreds of students who have been unable to get a calculated grade – on the basis that they took subjects outside school or were home-schooled – may also have grounds for lawsuits .
The documents also show the net financial impact of the cancellation of the Junior Cert and introducing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will see a fall in income for the State Exams Commission due to the loss of exam fees .
The material also throws light on the scale of the financial challenges facing the third-level sector .
It notes that the university sector is particularly exposed due to a loss of income from international student fees , research funding and student rental income .
It says the Higher Education Authority has assessed the impact for this year and next year as being about €500 million .
The documents state that while higher education institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reserves , “ some will be better financially equipped to deal with the crisis than others ” .
Education authorities are assessing a detailed cash flow analysis of the higher education sector .
However , the document adds that any additional State funding may potentially affect their accounting treatment on the general government balance sheet .
This is a reference to the fact that universities – which have borrowings of about €800 million – are not included on the government balance sheet on the basis that they are autonomous and generate most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are concerned that extensive State support could change this accounting treatment , which could have implications for wider government borrowing .
Documents also warn that the job losses and income reductions linked to the coronavirus crisis could lead to a sharp rise in numbers entitled to student grants .
This currently costs about €400 million a year .

Ministers have been warned by Government officials of potential lawsuits being taken by Leaving Cert students against the State due to the introduction of predicted grades this year.
They have also been advised that the cost of implementing the Sláintecare health reform programme is now likely to be greater than the original €5.8 billion estimate and that “specific elements such as additional nurses and consultants, hospital beds and home help hours will need to be implemented in a manner consistent with sustainable budgeting”.
The warnings are contained in briefing material prepared for Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath by his department.
The documents also reveal that there are concerns that some public authorities may face prosecution by the Pensions Authority arising from deficits in the administration of the pension scheme for more than 140,000 State employees recruited since 2014. The Single Pension Scheme, as it is known, was very complex to administer as it was based on career average earnings, the briefing papers state.
READ MORE
“To date, compliance with the legislative requirements of the scheme by employers has been poor,” they say. “It is clear that if the scheme is to be robustly administered over the long term, proper supports are needed. Otherwise errors will be made and compliance will remain an issue. This presents potential legal risks to the State and if challenged could undermine the scheme itself.”
In May, the then government announced that the Leaving Cert exams were being postponed and a new calculated grades system was being introduced based on students’ schoolwork.
At the time, then minister for education Joe McHugh conceded there were “legal vulnerabilities” relating to the decision. The attorney general is understood to have briefed Ministers on areas of concern regarding students’ legitimate expectations to be able to sit an exam, as well as their right to take up a college place after sitting the Leaving Cert.
Some legal sources also say hundreds of students who have been unable to get a calculated grade – on the basis that they took subjects outside school or were home-schooled – may also have grounds for lawsuits.
Income fall
The documents also show the net financial impact of the cancellation of the Junior Cert and introducing the calculated grade model for the Leaving Cert will see a fall in income for the State Exams Commission due to the loss of exam fees.
The material also throws light on the scale of the financial challenges facing the third-level sector. It notes that the university sector is particularly exposed due to a loss of income from international student fees, research funding and student rental income. It says the Higher Education Authority has assessed the impact for this year and next year as being about €500 million.
The documents state that while higher education institutions have multiple sources of revenue and hold reserves, “some will be better financially equipped to deal with the crisis than others”.
Education authorities are assessing a detailed cash flow analysis of the higher education sector. However, the document adds that any additional State funding may potentially affect their accounting treatment on the general government balance sheet.
This is a reference to the fact that universities – which have borrowings of about €800 million – are not included on the government balance sheet on the basis that they are autonomous and generate most of their income privately.
However, officials are concerned that extensive State support could change this accounting treatment, which could have implications for wider government borrowing.
Documents also warn that the job losses and income reductions linked to the coronavirus crisis could lead to a sharp rise in numbers entitled to student grants. This currently costs about €400 million a year.


theirishtimes--2020-07-24--Covid-19: Anomalies in travel rules need to be resolved, say North’s Ministers

Ministers in the North are to ask the Irish and British governments to convene a summit of the British-Irish Council to address inconsistencies around the Common Travel Area in the coronavirus regulations in the different jurisdictions .
Speaking following a meeting of the North ’ s Executive on Thursday , the Deputy First Minister , Michelle O ’ Neill , said the current situation was a “ very confusing picture ” and there were “ a lot of anomalies that need to be resolved ” .
She said she and the First Minister , Arlene Foster , had agreed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summit , adding that it would be an opportunity to “ have that conversation about travel across these islands .
.
.
among the five administrations ” and to “ find a commonsense way forward ” .
However , Ms Foster again ruled out any question that the North might diverge from its current position , telling the BBC “ what has caused the difficulty has been that the Republic of Ireland has decided to opt out of the Common Travel Area ” .
It was “ very clear ” , she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be respected .
.
.
and that will continue ” .
The UK has imposed no coronavirus-related restrictions on movement within the Common Travel Area – which covers the UK , Ireland , Channel Islands and Isle of Man – but anyone arriving into the Republic from Britain must self-isolate for two weeks .
There is no restriction on movement within the island of Ireland .
The instructions on international travel to and from the UK are also less stringent than those in the Republic , with non-essential travel permitted to about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted .
Meanwhile , the wearing of face coverings in shops and other enclosed spaces in Northern Ireland will be mandatory from August 1st , but compliance will not be enforced for the first three weeks .
The North ’ s health minister , Robin Swann , said the evidence in support of the measure had become “ increasingly compelling ” and it should “ become second nature to us in the weeks and months ahead ” .
The Executive also agreed on Thursday to the further easing of some of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from July 24th .
The maximum number of people who can meet indoors will increase from six to 10 , and people can now stay overnight in a different house .
Swimming pools , community centres , funfairs and bowling alleys will reopen , and wet treatments in spas such as saunas and steam rooms will be permitted to resume .
An indicative date for the reopening of indoor pubs and bars selling drinks only was set at August 10th .
Meanwhile , the North ’ s coronavirus tracing app will be launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 29th .
Called Stop Covid NI , it was designed by the same company that was responsible for the app in the Republic , and will share data with the Irish app and across the Common Travel Area .
On Thursday , Northern Ireland ’ s Department of Health again reported no coronavirus-related deaths , leaving the number of fatalities recorded by the department at 556 .
Eight further cases of Covid-19 were confirmed .
A cluster of cases has been identified at a meat processing plant in Ballymena , Co Antrim @

Ministers in the North are to ask the Irish and British governments to convene a summit of the British-Irish Council to address inconsistencies around the Common Travel Area in the coronavirus regulations in the different jurisdictions.
Speaking following a meeting of the North’s Executive on Thursday, the Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, said the current situation was a “very confusing picture” and there were “a lot of anomalies that need to be resolved”.
She said she and the First Minister, Arlene Foster, had agreed to write to the two governments requesting the summit, adding that it would be an opportunity to "have that conversation about travel across these islands . . . among the five administrations" and to "find a commonsense way forward".
However, Ms Foster again ruled out any question that the North might diverge from its current position, telling the BBC "what has caused the difficulty has been that the Republic of Ireland has decided to opt out of the Common Travel Area".
READ MORE
It was “very clear”, she said, “that the Common Travel Area should be respected . . . and that will continue”.
Movement
The UK has imposed no coronavirus-related restrictions on movement within the Common Travel Area – which covers the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man – but anyone arriving into the Republic from Britain must self-isolate for two weeks. There is no restriction on movement within the island of Ireland.
The instructions on international travel to and from the UK are also less stringent than those in the Republic, with non-essential travel permitted to about 60 countries and the requirement for self-isolation lifted.
Meanwhile, the wearing of face coverings in shops and other enclosed spaces in Northern Ireland will be mandatory from August 1st, but compliance will not be enforced for the first three weeks.
The North's health minister, Robin Swann, said the evidence in support of the measure had become "increasingly compelling" and it should "become second nature to us in the weeks and months ahead".
Easing restrictions
The Executive also agreed on Thursday to the further easing of some of the coronavirus restrictions, which will come into effect from July 24th. The maximum number of people who can meet indoors will increase from six to 10, and people can now stay overnight in a different house. Swimming pools, community centres, funfairs and bowling alleys will reopen, and wet treatments in spas such as saunas and steam rooms will be permitted to resume.
An indicative date for the reopening of indoor pubs and bars selling drinks only was set at August 10th.
Meanwhile, the North’s coronavirus tracing app will be launched next week, possibly as early as July 29th. Called Stop Covid NI, it was designed by the same company that was responsible for the app in the Republic, and will share data with the Irish app and across the Common Travel Area.
On Thursday, Northern Ireland's Department of Health again reported no coronavirus-related deaths, leaving the number of fatalities recorded by the department at 556. Eight further cases of Covid-19 were confirmed. A cluster of cases has been identified at a meat processing plant in Ballymena, Co Antrim.


theirishtimes--2020-07-24--Q&A: Will my child return to school full-time in autumn?

Will schools reopen normally in late August/September ?
The Government is finalising a major financial package to help schools reopen fully in the autumn for all pupils on a full-time basis .
Schools won ’ t reopen “ normally ” , however .
There will be physical distancing rules in place , class bubbles – where a class group limits contact with others – and a range of new safety rules for children and parents .
So , will all pupils be able to attend school ?
The plan is to reopen schools fully without relying on distance learning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , if a school has to close in the event of an outbreak , schools will be expected to maintain continuity of learning , as they did when they closed last March .
A multimillion-euro package – due to be formally announced early next week – is due to include extra funding for substitution cover along with enhancing cleaning and hygiene routines .
In addition , there will be detailed guidelines for schools with templates on safe classroom layouts , along with rules to follow in the event of a Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fund structural alterations to classrooms and improve bathrooms for hand-washing .
What kind of physical distancing rules will be in place for students ?
Latest public health guidelines state that a one-metre distance is required between students , with the exception of junior infants to second class .
A closer reading of the guidelines states that the one-metre rule may apply for pods of pupils at primary level “ where possible ” .
The caveat is seen as crucial by school leaders to facilitating a full return to school at primary level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second level , but class sizes are typically smaller , so it ’ s not as pressing an issue .
School managers have signalled that in the vast majority of cases they will be able to facilitate full classes .
Will parents end up paying more in voluntary contributions this year in light of all these new safety measures ?
The Government has signalled that hand sanitiser and personal protective equipment will be centrally contracted and distributed to schools .
In addition , safety posters and signs are also due to be made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to run in light of the Covid-19 threat ?
Plans are being advanced for school transport to run with some modifications .
Over-13s will be advised to wear face masks on board , while supplies of hand sanitiser , tissues , gloves or wipes will be supplied on board the vehicles for staff and children .
Groups of children from the same family may be advised to sit together .
Children will also be advised to maintain physical distancing while waiting for buses and to disembark one at a time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ uniforms ?
There has been some speculation that school uniform policies might be relaxed on the basis that wearing the same clothes may pose a public health threat .
However , there is no reference to the wearing of clothes or uniforms in interim public health guidance to schools .
The department has no role or policy on wearing uniforms , so it will likely be a matter for individual school boards of management .
The only reference to clothes in public health guidance relates to creches or childcare facilities and only applies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed with Covid-19 .
In this case , it says clothes should be washed at the highest temperature the material can stand , with items tumble-dried and ironed if required .
How will teachers ’ unions react ?
Will they allow members return to school ?
Teachers ’ unions have said that they support the reopening of schools as long as it is safe to do so and supports are in place .
They have said they will abide by public health guidelines , as long as there are no attempts to cut @ @

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar says it would reflect badly on Ireland were it to be the only country Europe where schools did not re-open in September following the coronavirus pandemic. Video: Oireachtas TV
Will schools reopen normally in late August/September?
The Government is finalising a major financial package to help schools reopen fully in the autumn for all pupils on a full-time basis. Schools won’t reopen “normally”, however. There will be physical distancing rules in place, class bubbles – where a class group limits contact with others – and a range of new safety rules for children and parents.
So, will all pupils be able to attend school?
The plan is to reopen schools fully without relying on distance learning, as long as the virus remains suppressed. However, if a school has to close in the event of an outbreak, schools will be expected to maintain continuity of learning, as they did when they closed last March.
What’s in the Government’s school reopening plan?
A multimillion-euro package – due to be formally announced early next week – is due to include extra funding for substitution cover along with enhancing cleaning and hygiene routines.
In addition, there will be detailed guidelines for schools with templates on safe classroom layouts, along with rules to follow in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak. There will also be grants to fund structural alterations to classrooms and improve bathrooms for hand-washing.
READ MORE
What kind of physical distancing rules will be in place for students?
Latest public health guidelines state that a one-metre distance is required between students, with the exception of junior infants to second class.
A closer reading of the guidelines states that the one-metre rule may apply for pods of pupils at primary level “where possible”.
The caveat is seen as crucial by school leaders to facilitating a full return to school at primary level.
The one-metre distance is stricter at second level, but class sizes are typically smaller, so it’s not as pressing an issue.
School managers have signalled that in the vast majority of cases they will be able to facilitate full classes.
Will parents end up paying more in voluntary contributions this year in light of all these new safety measures?
The Government has signalled that hand sanitiser and personal protective equipment will be centrally contracted and distributed to schools. In addition, safety posters and signs are also due to be made available to schools.
Will school transport be able to run in light of the Covid-19 threat?
Plans are being advanced for school transport to run with some modifications. Over-13s will be advised to wear face masks on board, while supplies of hand sanitiser, tissues, gloves or wipes will be supplied on board the vehicles for staff and children. Groups of children from the same family may be advised to sit together. Children will also be advised to maintain physical distancing while waiting for buses and to disembark one at a time.
Is there any advice on wearing school uniforms?
There has been some speculation that school uniform policies might be relaxed on the basis that wearing the same clothes may pose a public health threat. However, there is no reference to the wearing of clothes or uniforms in interim public health guidance to schools.
The department has no role or policy on wearing uniforms, so it will likely be a matter for individual school boards of management.
The only reference to clothes in public health guidance relates to creches or childcare facilities and only applies in cases where a child has been diagnosed with Covid-19. In this case, it says clothes should be washed at the highest temperature the material can stand, with items tumble-dried and ironed if required.
How will teachers’ unions react? Will they allow members return to school?
Teachers’ unions have said that they support the reopening of schools as long as it is safe to do so and supports are in place. They have said they will abide by public health guidelines, as long as there are no attempts to cut corners.


theirishtimes--2020-07-24--Failure to cut 13.5% VAT rate a ‘nail in the coffin’ for Border hospitality businesses

The Government ’ s €125 “ staycation ” tax voucher may help to extend the tourist season , but the failure to cut the 13.5 per cent VAT rate is a crippling blow to the tourism and hospitality trade , businesses have argued .
From September , people can qualify for a €125 tax rebate if they spend at least €625 on accommodation , food or non-alcoholic drinks , with consumers able to upload their receipts to an app on their phone in order to claim .
Despite strong lobbying , however , the bid by the tourism trade for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be cut to match the 5 per cent rate now applying in Northern Ireland failed – an outcome strongly criticised by Adrian Cummins , chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland .
“ By not decreasing the rate , in line with our EU counterparts and closest neighbour , [ the ] stimulus has put a nail in the coffin for Border restaurant and hospitality businesses competing with a 5 per cent rate in Northern Ireland , ” he said .
While the extension for the Wage Subsidy Scheme and the rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsidy ” got a mixed reaction from some businesses who fear it may come too late in the year to woo domestic customers .
Welcoming it , Joe Dolan , owner of the Bush hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon , said his season ends abruptly .
“ We go over a cliff at 3pm on the last Sunday in August every year .
We can time it to the hour.
” Pat Rigney , the owner of Leitrim-based Shed Distillery , producers of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the season .
“ This is really good news , ” he said .
“ I think a lot of people have not yet taken holidays – they were in lockdown and then they were hoping to go overseas .
I think September and October could be very busy.
” Saying a verdict on the voucher is months away , Galway restaurateur JP McMahon said his Cava restaurant ’ s 40 seats are currently full .
“ We can not do any more customers .
I think it will help rural businesses more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ciaran Reidy , a director of Lough Rynn Castle Hotel in Co Leitrim , warned , however : “ There ’ s no point in a wage subsidy scheme to keep staff if we don ’ t have the business coming in.
” Mr Reidy said that Lough Rynn and its sister hotel Kilronan Castle in Co Roscommon had lost significant business , and the failure to reduce the VAT rate is hugely disappointing .
“ We are a Border county and 30 minutes away the VAT rate is 5 per cent ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be coming here from Fermanagh and other places .
In fact , the traffic will be going the other way , ” said Mr Reidy .
Expressing “ disappointment ” with the overall package , he said luxury hotels such as Lough Rynn and Kilronan Castle had effectively been rendered “ glorified B & Bs ” because of the 50-person Covid restrictions .
Eamonn O ’ Reilly , who owns the Michelin two-star restaurant The Greenhouse and One Pico in Dublin , said he was “ devastated ” that the lower VAT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be so many more closures because of this , ” he said .
Meanwhile , Ross Lewis , owner of Chapter One , another of Dublin ’ s Michelin-starred restaurants , said he did not think the package is enough .
“ After 35 years I feel very disappointed , ” he said .
Shane Mitchell , who owns Dublin restaurants the Asador and Prado , was equally critical .
“ We had hoped for a lot more from the Government , but this stimulus package misses the target , ” he @ @

The Government’s €125 “staycation” tax voucher may help to extend the tourist season, but the failure to cut the 13.5 per cent VAT rate is a crippling blow to the tourism and hospitality trade, businesses have argued.
From September, people can qualify for a €125 tax rebate if they spend at least €625 on accommodation, food or non-alcoholic drinks, with consumers able to upload their receipts to an app on their phone in order to claim.
Despite strong lobbying, however, the bid by the tourism trade for the 13.5 per cent VAT rate to be cut to match the 5 per cent rate now applying in Northern Ireland failed – an outcome strongly criticised by Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland.
“By not decreasing the rate, in line with our EU counterparts and closest neighbour, [the] stimulus has put a nail in the coffin for Border restaurant and hospitality businesses competing with a 5 per cent rate in Northern Ireland,” he said.
READ MORE
While the extension for the Wage Subsidy Scheme and the rates waiver were welcomed, the “staycation subsidy” got a mixed reaction from some businesses who fear it may come too late in the year to woo domestic customers.
Welcoming it, Joe Dolan, owner of the Bush hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, said his season ends abruptly. "We go over a cliff at 3pm on the last Sunday in August every year. We can time it to the hour."
Hopeful
Pat Rigney, the owner of Leitrim-based Shed Distillery, producers of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, was hopeful too, believing it could extend the season.
“This is really good news,” he said. “I think a lot of people have not yet taken holidays – they were in lockdown and then they were hoping to go overseas. I think September and October could be very busy.”
Saying a verdict on the voucher is months away, Galway restaurateur JP McMahon said his Cava restaurant’s 40 seats are currently full. “We cannot do any more customers. I think it will help rural businesses more.
We are a Border county and 30 minutes away the VAT rate is 5 per cent
Welcoming the wage subsidy extension, Ciaran Reidy, a director of Lough Rynn Castle Hotel in Co Leitrim, warned, however: "There's no point in a wage subsidy scheme to keep staff if we don't have the business coming in."
Mr Reidy said that Lough Rynn and its sister hotel Kilronan Castle in Co Roscommon had lost significant business, and the failure to reduce the VAT rate is hugely disappointing.
Traffic
“We are a Border county and 30 minutes away the VAT rate is 5 per cent” said Mr Reidy, “Customers will not be coming here from Fermanagh and other places. In fact, the traffic will be going the other way,” said Mr Reidy.
Expressing “disappointment” with the overall package, he said luxury hotels such as Lough Rynn and Kilronan Castle had effectively been rendered “glorified B&Bs” because of the 50-person Covid restrictions.
Eamonn O'Reilly, who owns the Michelin two-star restaurant The Greenhouse and One Pico in Dublin, said he was "devastated" that the lower VAT rate was not cut. "There will be so many more closures because of this," he said.
Meanwhile, Ross Lewis, owner of Chapter One, another of Dublin's Michelin-starred restaurants, said he did not think the package is enough. "After 35 years I feel very disappointed," he said.
Shane Mitchell, who owns Dublin restaurants the Asador and Prado, was equally critical. "We had hoped for a lot more from the Government, but this stimulus package misses the target," he said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-23--Government to announce thousands of free courses to upskill workers hit by Covid crisis

Thousands of free or subsidised third level and further education places are to be provided to upskill individuals whose livelihoods have been hit by the Covid-19 crisis .
In addition , employers are to receive financial incentives for the first time to take on new apprentices across a range of areas .
The Government is set to announce details of the €100 million re-training package on Friday afternoon .
It is understood it will include a total of about 35,000 places across further and higher education in areas where there are acute skills shortages such as ICT , high-end manufacturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government sources say there will be more than 7,000 subsidised course places available across universities and institutes of technology .
This will include about 3,300 post-graduate courses , which will be aimed at new graduates or those with a degree who decide to return to education .
Students will be required to pay about 10 per cent - or €900 - of the normal €9,000 cost .
In addition , there will be a further 3,000 shorter upskilling courses provided in third level institutions in smaller areas of study such as digital skills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be targeted at those in employment who wish to upskill without taking on a full-time course .
However , the bulk of additional course places - more than 28,000 - will be provided in the further education and training sector .
These courses will be aimed at workers who have lost their jobs or who are seeking to upskill or retrain in areas where there are skills gaps , according to sources .
These will be free to access .
Separately , employers who decide to hire an apprentice in key areas will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If the employer retains the apprentice after 12 months , they will be eligible for a further euro1,000 payment .
A formal announcement is due to be made by Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris and Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys on Friday afternoon .
Meanwhile , most colleges have confirmed that first year students are due to begin their third level courses in late September/early October .
In most cases , colleges are due to open for first year students on September 28th .
Minister Simon Harris welcomed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleges following a meeting with representative bodies .
“ Today , we all agreed the induction of first-students was a priority and all three organisations advised preparations are underway to welcome first year students from late September , ” he said .
“ This is very welcome and will come as a huge relief to students .
It is essential we do everything we can to offer them the college experience despite the challenges Covid brings.
” He said all education partners agreed that the return of third level must be safe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We will continue to work together to ensure we protect our students and staff , ” he said .

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris has welcomed confirmation of opening dates for third level colleges following a meeting with representative bodies. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Thousands of free or subsidised third level and further education places are to be provided to upskill individuals whose livelihoods have been hit by the Covid-19 crisis.
In addition, employers are to receive financial incentives for the first time to take on new apprentices across a range of areas.
The Government is set to announce details of the €100 million re-training package on Friday afternoon.
It is understood it will include a total of about 35,000 places across further and higher education in areas where there are acute skills shortages such as ICT, high-end manufacturing, data analytics and artificial intelligence.
READ MORE
Higher education
Government sources say there will be more than 7,000 subsidised course places available across universities and institutes of technology.
This will include about 3,300 post-graduate courses, which will be aimed at new graduates or those with a degree who decide to return to education.
Students will be required to pay about 10 per cent - or €900 - of the normal €9,000 cost.
In addition, there will be a further 3,000 shorter upskilling courses provided in third level institutions in smaller areas of study such as digital skills.
These “modular courses” will be targeted at those in employment who wish to upskill without taking on a full-time course.
However, the bulk of additional course places - more than 28,000 - will be provided in the further education and training sector.
These courses will be aimed at workers who have lost their jobs or who are seeking to upskill or retrain in areas where there are skills gaps, according to sources. These will be free to access.
Separately, employers who decide to hire an apprentice in key areas will be eligible for a €2,000 up-front payment. If the employer retains the apprentice after 12 months, they will be eligible for a further euro1,000 payment.
A formal announcement is due to be made by Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris and Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys on Friday afternoon.
Start dates
Meanwhile, most colleges have confirmed that first year students are due to begin their third level courses in late September/early October.
In most cases, colleges are due to open for first year students on September 28th.
Minister Simon Harris welcomed confirmation of opening dates for third level colleges following a meeting with representative bodies.
“Today, we all agreed the induction of first-students was a priority and all three organisations advised preparations are underway to welcome first year students from late September,” he said.
“This is very welcome and will come as a huge relief to students. It is essential we do everything we can to offer them the college experience despite the challenges Covid brings.”
He said all education partners agreed that the return of third level must be safe and guided by the best public health advice.
“We will continue to work together to ensure we protect our students and staff,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-23--Stimulus package aims to turbocharge economy over next six months

In recent years , budgets have been about incremental change ; on the ground , they have meant little to most people , other than maybe a bit extra in their pay cheque when exchequer measures take effect the following January .
The July jobs stimulus is the exact opposite of that .
It is arguably the most dramatic policy intervention in a political generation , designed to turbocharge the economy over a period of about six months .
The hope is that by the time these measures lapse , there will be momentum in an economy that has begun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
But how will this economic sugar rush hit the high street , and your pocket book ?
What does it mean for my bottom line ?
If you could sum it up in one word , it would be “ spend ” ; spend if you ’ re the Government , spend if you ’ re a business , spend if you ’ re a consumer .
The key , and unheralded , measure here is the headline cut to the rate of VAT , chopped from 23 per cent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six months , at an estimated cost of €440 million .
The idea here is to make spending in the economy , on the whole , cheaper .
It is designed to tease out some of the savings households have accumulated during lockdown .
The same is true for the “ staycation voucher ” .
This will give a tax rebate of up to €125 on sums spent on accommodation , food , or non-alcoholic drinks up to a limit of €625 .
This will be administered through an app , and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full €625 to see a refund .
The cycle-to-work scheme has been turbocharged , with allowable expenditure increased to €1,500 for ebikes and €1,250 for other bicycles .
There is a significant increase in the level of tax refund available under the State ’ s help-to-buy scheme , from €20,000 to €30,000 , in a move that will be welcomed by first-time buyers , homebuilders and the construction industry .
People should also feel this in their employment – or lack thereof .
The temporary wage subsidy scheme has been renamed and expanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in affected sectors of the economy and seasonal staff .
For those on the pandemic unemployment payment ( PUP ) , the coming months will see that income dwindle , with payments over time being brought back into line with existing social welfare levels .
It will also be closed to new entrants from September 17th .
In an attempt to balance this , the Government is carpet-bombing the further education and training sector with tens of thousands of new upskilling positions .
There will be a training initiative to support the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be bolstered , as will JobClubs , JobPath and other employment services .
If you ’ re self-employed and were profitable last year , but are facing Covid-related losses , there is to be a new income tax relief .
A cornerstone of the package is a dizzying array of grants and low-cost loans for businesses .
Getting this cash quickly and effectively on to the balance sheets of firms will be a key acid test for the effectiveness of the plan .
Firms will benefit from the extension to the wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also the previously announced €2 billion credit guarantee scheme .
The restart grant for small businesses has been more than doubled , with €300 million extra bringing it to a total level of €550 million , and the ceiling for grants has been increased to €25,000 .
That will be accessible to firms who have already drawn down lower amounts through a top-up , and businesses that were previously excluded , such as B & Bs , are eligible .
The waiver on commercial rates will be extended to the end of September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A micro-financing package worth €55 million has been approved , and the future loan growth scheme will be expanded from €200 million to €500 million .
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said there would be a year-long holiday on repayments and interest rates would be closer to 3 per cent than 4 per cent .
There is an array of cash sweeteners on offer to employers to hire those struggling with unemployment or undergoing upskilling ; including a €2,000 payment to support employers to take on new apprenticeships , and 8,000 recruitment subsidies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ register under the age of 30 .
There has been €10 million put aside for a restart fund for tourism , and €10 million for a pilot performance support scheme for the culture sector to assist planning for events in the context of Covid-19 .
Companies that were profitable in 2019 will be allowed to carry-back trading losses early , effectively resulting in an immediate refund of some or all of the corporation tax they paid last year .
Firms will also be allowed to warehouse PAYE and VAT debts in part or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are also various early-stage funding packages for companies , ranging from a €25 million Covid life sciences fund to €10 million for firms involved in green research and innovation , and €10 million for seed and venture capital through Enterprise Ireland .
A €20 million Brexit fund for SMEs exporting and importing from the UK has also been confirmed , as well as online retail schemes and a voucher trading scheme worth a combined €25.5 million .
The economic touch paper has now been lit ; if it fails to flame there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures as they expire .
Will that be affordable ?
Would we be able to borrow enough ?
In trying to achieve escape velocity from Covid-19 , could we be creating problems for the future ?
And , most importantly , will it work ?
We will have to wait to find out .

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin says that the Government is "determined to protect as many businesses and jobs as possible" as a stimulus package is announced. Video: RTÉ
In recent years, budgets have been about incremental change; on the ground, they have meant little to most people, other than maybe a bit extra in their pay cheque when exchequer measures take effect the following January.
The July jobs stimulus is the exact opposite of that.
It is arguably the most dramatic policy intervention in a political generation, designed to turbocharge the economy over a period of about six months. The hope is that by the time these measures lapse, there will be momentum in an economy that has begun to emerge from the long shadow of pandemic. But how will this economic sugar rush hit the high street, and your pocket book?
What does it mean for my bottom line?
If you could sum it up in one word, it would be “spend”; spend if you’re the Government, spend if you’re a business, spend if you’re a consumer. The key, and unheralded, measure here is the headline cut to the rate of VAT, chopped from 23 per cent to 21 per cent for a period of six months, at an estimated cost of €440 million. The idea here is to make spending in the economy, on the whole, cheaper. It is designed to tease out some of the savings households have accumulated during lockdown.
READ MORE
The same is true for the “staycation voucher”. This will give a tax rebate of up to €125 on sums spent on accommodation, food, or non-alcoholic drinks up to a limit of €625. This will be administered through an app, and you won’t have to spend the full €625 to see a refund.
The cycle-to-work scheme has been turbocharged, with allowable expenditure increased to €1,500 for ebikes and €1,250 for other bicycles.
There is a significant increase in the level of tax refund available under the State’s help-to-buy scheme, from €20,000 to €30,000, in a move that will be welcomed by first-time buyers, homebuilders and the construction industry.
People should also feel this in their employment – or lack thereof. The temporary wage subsidy scheme has been renamed and expanded, and opened up to start-up businesses in affected sectors of the economy and seasonal staff.
For those on the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP), the coming months will see that income dwindle, with payments over time being brought back into line with existing social welfare levels. It will also be closed to new entrants from September 17th.
In an attempt to balance this, the Government is carpet-bombing the further education and training sector with tens of thousands of new upskilling positions. There will be a training initiative to support the national retrofitting programme. The public employment service will be bolstered, as will JobClubs, JobPath and other employment services.
If you’re self-employed and were profitable last year, but are facing Covid-related losses, there is to be a new income tax relief.
What can businesses expect?
A cornerstone of the package is a dizzying array of grants and low-cost loans for businesses. Getting this cash quickly and effectively on to the balance sheets of firms will be a key acid test for the effectiveness of the plan. Firms will benefit from the extension to the wage subsidy scheme, mentioned above, but also the previously announced €2 billion credit guarantee scheme.
The restart grant for small businesses has been more than doubled, with €300 million extra bringing it to a total level of €550 million, and the ceiling for grants has been increased to €25,000. That will be accessible to firms who have already drawn down lower amounts through a top-up, and businesses that were previously excluded, such as B&Bs, are eligible.
The waiver on commercial rates will be extended to the end of September at a total cost of €600 million. A micro-financing package worth €55 million has been approved, and the future loan growth scheme will be expanded from €200 million to €500 million. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said there would be a year-long holiday on repayments and interest rates would be closer to 3 per cent than 4 per cent.
There is an array of cash sweeteners on offer to employers to hire those struggling with unemployment or undergoing upskilling; including a €2,000 payment to support employers to take on new apprenticeships, and 8,000 recruitment subsidies to hire someone on PUP or the live register under the age of 30.
There has been €10 million put aside for a restart fund for tourism, and €10 million for a pilot performance support scheme for the culture sector to assist planning for events in the context of Covid-19.
Companies that were profitable in 2019 will be allowed to carry-back trading losses early, effectively resulting in an immediate refund of some or all of the corporation tax they paid last year. Firms will also be allowed to warehouse PAYE and VAT debts in part or full with no interest or penalties.
There are also various early-stage funding packages for companies, ranging from a €25 million Covid life sciences fund to €10 million for firms involved in green research and innovation, and €10 million for seed and venture capital through Enterprise Ireland. A €20 million Brexit fund for SMEs exporting and importing from the UK has also been confirmed, as well as online retail schemes and a voucher trading scheme worth a combined €25.5 million.
Will it work?
The economic touch paper has now been lit; if it fails to flame there will be calls to extend and enhance measures as they expire. Will that be affordable? Would we be able to borrow enough? In trying to achieve escape velocity from Covid-19, could we be creating problems for the future? And, most importantly, will it work? We will have to wait to find out.


theirishtimes--2020-07-23--Travel insurance for ‘green list’ countries to operate as normal

Travel insurance relating to the 15 countries named on the Government ’ s newly published “ green list ” will now operate as normal , the industry confirmed on Thursday .
Following some confusion the lobby group Insurance Ireland said the main providers of cover would now operate subject to normal terms and conditions .
In a statement it said that as the Department of Foreign Affairs had updated its travel advisory for the named countries from “ essential travel only ” to “ normal precautions ” , regular services could resume .
“ Consumers should check directly with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the green list will be reviewed on a fortnightly basis and is subject to change , ” it said .
Earlier this week insurers had sought clarity on official advice regarding overseas travel to the so-called green list countries .
Until Tuesday the Department of Foreign Affairs had a blanket advisory warning against non-essential travel outside of Ireland – anyone who disregarded that would automatically void their insurance cover .
With the publication of the green list the status of those countries was changed to “ general precautions ” , prompting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Government is still urging the public to avoid foreign holidays this year based on public health advice .
Malta , Finland , Norway , Italy , Hungary , Estonia , Latvia , Lithuania , Cyprus , Slovakia , Greece , Greenland , Gibraltar , Monaco and San Marino have been included on the green list .
The development was quickly welcomed by insurer Multitrip .
com , which said holidaymakers were now free to travel “ with peace of mind ” to those named destinations .
It said it would now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a positive Covid-19 diagnosis on their policies with immediate effect ” .
The company said it would add this cancellation cover to existing policies and cover medical expenses abroad resulting from Covid-19 illness .
While it is as yet unclear what other providers will do , Mulittrip said its policy could now cover cases affected where a traveller , their companion or any person they had arranged to stay with had received a diagnosis .
“ We are delighted that the Government/Department of Foreign Affairs has changed their advice following pressure from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said managing director Ciaran Mulligan .
“ Irish holidaymakers can now travel with peace of mind knowing that they are covered by their travel insurance if they travel to the countries on the green list .
We would also call on the Government to review regions as well as countries when they are updating their list in the next two weeks .
”

The Government is still urging the public to avoid foreign holidays this year based on public health advice. Photograph: Getty Images
Travel insurance relating to the 15 countries named on the Government’s newly published “green list” will now operate as normal, the industry confirmed on Thursday.
Following some confusion the lobby group Insurance Ireland said the main providers of cover would now operate subject to normal terms and conditions.
In a statement it said that as the Department of Foreign Affairs had updated its travel advisory for the named countries from “essential travel only” to “normal precautions”, regular services could resume.
“Consumers should check directly with their insurer, and should also be aware that the green list will be reviewed on a fortnightly basis and is subject to change,” it said.
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Earlier this week insurers had sought clarity on official advice regarding overseas travel to the so-called green list countries.
Until Tuesday the Department of Foreign Affairs had a blanket advisory warning against non-essential travel outside of Ireland – anyone who disregarded that would automatically void their insurance cover.
With the publication of the green list the status of those countries was changed to “general precautions”, prompting the change in position from providers.
However, the Government is still urging the public to avoid foreign holidays this year based on public health advice. Malta, Finland, Norway, Italy, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Slovakia, Greece, Greenland, Gibraltar, Monaco and San Marino have been included on the green list.
The development was quickly welcomed by insurer Multitrip. com, which said holidaymakers were now free to travel "with peace of mind" to those named destinations.
It said it would now “cover cancellation as a result of a positive Covid-19 diagnosis on their policies with immediate effect” .
The company said it would add this cancellation cover to existing policies and cover medical expenses abroad resulting from Covid-19 illness.
Diagnosis
While it is as yet unclear what other providers will do, Mulittrip said its policy could now cover cases affected where a traveller, their companion or any person they had arranged to stay with had received a diagnosis.
"We are delighted that the Government/Department of Foreign Affairs has changed their advice following pressure from the insurance industry and have given clarity," said managing director Ciaran Mulligan.
“Irish holidaymakers can now travel with peace of mind knowing that they are covered by their travel insurance if they travel to the countries on the green list. We would also call on the Government to review regions as well as countries when they are updating their list in the next two weeks.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-23--Government stimulus package ‘miserly’, Sinn Féin says

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald dismissed the Government ’ s stimulus package as “ miserly ” , saying the tourism and hospitality sector would be underwhelmed by what it offered .
Believing the package lacked ambition , she said efforts at assisting businesses badly hit by Covid-19 were disproportionately weighted toward loans and debt , as opposed to grant aid .
“ I think when you look at it in relation to things that have been done in other jurisdictions it ’ s actually quite miserly , ” she told RTÉ News shortly after the stimulus was unveiled on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourism and hospitality sector , and Ms McDonald honed in on the stay-and-spend subsidy , which she labelled “ cumbersome ” .
“ It ’ s a clumsy vehicle and lacks the kind of ambition and the kind of punch that we need now not just to create new jobs but to sustain and to retain the jobs that were already in the sector.
” The party ’ s spokeswoman on Enterprise , Trade and Employment , Louise O ’ Reilly , said the tourism industry was seeking a reduction in VAT from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Part of the package unveiled on Thursday included a surprise cut in the main rate of VAT from 23 to 21 per cent .
“ The tourism , hospitality and accommodation sector needs sector-specific interventions and I don ’ t think that this is going to give them what it is that they need , ” she said .
Defending that decision , however , Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe told RTÉ a broad tax reduction was a more effective stimulus and that the stay-and-spend initiative was targeted at tourism .
Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts to the pandemic unemployment payment ( PUP ) , saying it amounted to an austerity package .
“ For huge numbers of workers , some of the most hard-hit sectors , who have lost jobs and income , are going to be kicked while they are down , ” he said .
Similarly , Labour spokesman on social protection Seán Sherlock said the PUP cuts were “ short-sighted ” and bound to hit those who had lost their jobs the hardest .
“ The stimulus fails to put money directly into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Government could have increased spending power by increasing social welfare rates by €10 a week.
” The Social Democrats warned that the help-to-buy scheme expansion to a tax relief of €30,000 could result in developers “ ending up with more money in their pockets ” .
Co-leader Catherine Murphy said the stimulus package must be about putting money into cash registers and into the pockets of those who need it most and will spend it in the short term .
“ While there are positive measures contained in today ’ s announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered disproportionately as a result of Covid-19 are the ones who benefit most , ” she said .
“ This seems to be more of a September stimulus plan than a July one , as so many of the 50 measures announced today appear to be at least two or three months away , ” she added .
She said rather than frame the holiday-at-home initiative around a tax rebate it should be in the form of a voucher system tied to PPS “ as it could then apply to those who don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As it is proposed now , it is deeply unfair that it will not be available to over one-third of the Irish workforce , ” she said .

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said efforts at assisting businesses badly hit by Covid-19 were disproportionately weighted toward loans and debt. File photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald dismissed the Government’s stimulus package as “miserly”, saying the tourism and hospitality sector would be underwhelmed by what it offered.
Believing the package lacked ambition, she said efforts at assisting businesses badly hit by Covid-19 were disproportionately weighted toward loans and debt, as opposed to grant aid.
"I think when you look at it in relation to things that have been done in other jurisdictions it's actually quite miserly," she told RTÉ News shortly after the stimulus was unveiled on Thursday.
Sinn Féin focused on the tourism and hospitality sector, and Ms McDonald honed in on the stay-and-spend subsidy, which she labelled “cumbersome”.
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“It’s a clumsy vehicle and lacks the kind of ambition and the kind of punch that we need now not just to create new jobs but to sustain and to retain the jobs that were already in the sector.”
The party’s spokeswoman on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Louise O’Reilly, said the tourism industry was seeking a reduction in VAT from 13.5 per cent to 9 per cent.
Part of the package unveiled on Thursday included a surprise cut in the main rate of VAT from 23 to 21 per cent.
“The tourism, hospitality and accommodation sector needs sector-specific interventions and I don’t think that this is going to give them what it is that they need,” she said.
Defending that decision, however, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe told RTÉ a broad tax reduction was a more effective stimulus and that the stay-and-spend initiative was targeted at tourism.
‘Austerity package’
Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit dismissed cuts to the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP), saying it amounted to an austerity package.
“For huge numbers of workers, some of the most hard-hit sectors, who have lost jobs and income, are going to be kicked while they are down,” he said.
Similarly, Labour spokesman on social protection Seán Sherlock said the PUP cuts were “short-sighted” and bound to hit those who had lost their jobs the hardest.
“The stimulus fails to put money directly into the economy,” he said. “The Government could have increased spending power by increasing social welfare rates by €10 a week.”
The Social Democrats warned that the help-to-buy scheme expansion to a tax relief of €30,000 could result in developers “ending up with more money in their pockets”.
Co-leader Catherine Murphy said the stimulus package must be about putting money into cash registers and into the pockets of those who need it most and will spend it in the short term.
“While there are positive measures contained in today’s announcement, it is vital that those who suffered disproportionately as a result of Covid-19 are the ones who benefit most,” she said.
“This seems to be more of a September stimulus plan than a July one, as so many of the 50 measures announced today appear to be at least two or three months away,” she added.
She said rather than frame the holiday-at-home initiative around a tax rebate it should be in the form of a voucher system tied to PPS “as it could then apply to those who don’t earn enough to pay tax. As it is proposed now, it is deeply unfair that it will not be available to over one-third of the Irish workforce,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-23--Expansion of help-to-buy scheme tax rebate will ‘help thousands’

The expansion of the State ’ s help-to-buy scheme will help “ thousands more people get on to the property ladder ” , Minister for Housing Darragh O ’ Brien has said .
The scheme , which has been in effect since January 2017 , was previously limited to a tax rebate for first-time buyers worth €20,000 , but the stimulus package has raised this ceiling to €30,000 .
The rebate is only available on a new home a first-time buyer is either purchasing or building to be their primary home .
In order to claim the tax back , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the figure being claimed to the Revenue in previous years , either through Dirt or income tax .
There was significant criticism of the scheme when it was introduced , with some saying it had the potential to drive up house prices in an inflationary manner .
However , while successive governments have toyed with the idea of ending the scheme , it was extended again in the last budget .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he did not believe the scheme would inflate property prices , but that it would rather improve affordability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other measures to help the housing market and improve affordability , ” he said , adding that he did not believe the scheme had pushed up prices to date .
Mr O ’ Brien said he was “ delighted ” the scheme was being expanded .
Other measures introduced by his department , he said , would boost the social housing stock and enhance the water leakage reduction programme .
Some 2,000 social housing units will be targeted for refurbishment in order to be relet to individuals and families in homelessness or on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Minister says will create 360 jobs .
“ The July stimulus is about economic recovery and looking after those most impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic .
It ’ s a way to turbo-charge our economy , secure local jobs , and [ give ] a boost to those who need it most , ” he said .
The Irish Homebuilders ’ Association ( IHBA ) , a body representing developers , welcomed alterations to the help to buy scheme and a temporary VAT reduction .
James Benson , a spokesman for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes in the State is running well behind what was needed and average earners can not afford homes .
“ Based on the latest data available , backed up by what our members are seeing on the ground , it is likely that only 14,000 new homes will be completed in 2020 , ” he said .

The rebate is available on a new home a first-time buyer is either purchasing or building to be their primary home. Photograph: Chris Ison/PA Wire
The expansion of the State’s help-to-buy scheme will help “thousands more people get on to the property ladder”, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has said.
The scheme, which has been in effect since January 2017, was previously limited to a tax rebate for first-time buyers worth €20,000, but the stimulus package has raised this ceiling to €30,000.
The rebate is only available on a new home a first-time buyer is either purchasing or building to be their primary home. In order to claim the tax back, the purchaser must have paid at least the figure being claimed to the Revenue in previous years, either through Dirt or income tax.
There was significant criticism of the scheme when it was introduced, with some saying it had the potential to drive up house prices in an inflationary manner. However, while successive governments have toyed with the idea of ending the scheme , it was extended again in the last budget.
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No inflation
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he did not believe the scheme would inflate property prices, but that it would rather improve affordability. “It will help along with other measures to help the housing market and improve affordability,” he said, adding that he did not believe the scheme had pushed up prices to date.
Mr O’Brien said he was “delighted” the scheme was being expanded. Other measures introduced by his department, he said, would boost the social housing stock and enhance the water leakage reduction programme.
Some 2,000 social housing units will be targeted for refurbishment in order to be relet to individuals and families in homelessness or on the housing list, in a move the Minister says will create 360 jobs.
“The July stimulus is about economic recovery and looking after those most impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s a way to turbo-charge our economy, secure local jobs, and [give] a boost to those who need it most,” he said.
The Irish Homebuilders’ Association (IHBA), a body representing developers, welcomed alterations to the help to buy scheme and a temporary VAT reduction.
James Benson, a spokesman for the group, said the supply of new homes in the State is running well behind what was needed and average earners cannot afford homes.
“Based on the latest data available, backed up by what our members are seeing on the ground, it is likely that only 14,000 new homes will be completed in 2020,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-23--‘Everyone should remember his name, because he has sacrificed so much’

The world has now found out that Dr Syed Waqqar Ali , the eighth member of the Irish health service to die from Covid-19 , is a hero , but his family had known that always , said his daughter , Dr Sammar Ali , speaking after his funeral .
Mourners gathered at the Newcastle Muslim Cemetary in west Dublin to pay respects to Dr Ali , on a day that would have been his 60th birthday .
He died on Wednesday after a three-month battle with Covid-19 .
A locum at the Mater hospital , Dr Ali lived in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Ireland 20 years ago , and is survived by his wife , Rubab , and his five children , Sammar , Arslan , Salman , Jarrar , and Zahra .
Rain cleared for the outdoor ceremony , where prayers and songs were amplified by a small speaker , to allow for social distancing .
Closely following Covid-19 restrictions , the 60-strong crowd wore masks , with many wearing gloves .
As is customary in the Islamic tradition , only men attended the burial .
Following the ceremony , Dr Ali ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His daughter , Dr Sammar Ali , recently qualified as a doctor .
“ People are only finding out now that he ’ s a hero , but he ’ s been a hero to us our whole lives .
He ’ s gone above and beyond for his patients , for his family , for his parents , for his sisters , for their children , ” she said .
“ My dad .
.
.
he ’ s gone above and beyond for everyone , now we need to go above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember his name , because he has sacrificed so much.
” Losing their father to the virus has encouraged his children to speak out , said his daughter : “ The only way people will understand is if Covid hits them as hard as it hit us.
” Urging people to realise the severity of the disease and that their actions could risk the lives of others , she said : “ If you ’ re not going to do it for yourself , do it for your loved ones , because life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent three months in the Mater where he was tended by many of the people with whom he had worked : “ We thank all of them at the ICU at the Mater hospital , they gave him exceptional care , ” Salman said .
Meanwhile , staff at Our Lady ’ s Hospital , Navan observed a minute ’ s silence at noon to honour Dr Ali , who had worked at the hospital for many years as a locum emergency department registrar .
Describing him as “ an esteemed colleague ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He is fondly remembered as a true gentleman and colleague to the staff in ED here in Navan.
” The Irish Hospital Consultants Association said “ Dr Ali ’ s tragic death at a young age reminds us once more of the sacrifices made by frontline healthcare professionals , particularly at this time.
” Describing him as an “ exemplary medical professional with an immense dedication to public service ” , the association said his expertise , care and warmth had “ made an impression with patients and colleagues alike ” .

The world has now found out that Dr Syed Waqqar Ali, the eighth member of the Irish health service to die from Covid-19, is a hero, but his family had known that always, said his daughter, Dr Sammar Ali, speaking after his funeral.
Mourners gathered at the Newcastle Muslim Cemetary in west Dublin to pay respects to Dr Ali, on a day that would have been his 60th birthday. He died on Wednesday after a three-month battle with Covid-19.
A locum at the Mater hospital, Dr Ali lived in Tyrellstown, west Dublin, having moved to Ireland 20 years ago, and is survived by his wife, Rubab, and his five children, Sammar, Arslan, Salman, Jarrar, and Zahra.
Rain cleared for the outdoor ceremony, where prayers and songs were amplified by a small speaker, to allow for social distancing. Closely following Covid-19 restrictions, the 60-strong crowd wore masks, with many wearing gloves.
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As is customary in the Islamic tradition, only men attended the burial. Following the ceremony, Dr Ali’s children spoke to The Irish Times. His daughter, Dr Sammar Ali, recently qualified as a doctor.
“People are only finding out now that he’s a hero, but he’s been a hero to us our whole lives. He’s gone above and beyond for his patients, for his family, for his parents, for his sisters, for their children,” she said.
“My dad. . . he’s gone above and beyond for everyone, now we need to go above and beyond for him. Everyone should remember his name, because he has sacrificed so much.”
Losing their father to the virus has encouraged his children to speak out, said his daughter: “The only way people will understand is if Covid hits them as hard as it hit us.”
Urging people to realise the severity of the disease and that their actions could risk the lives of others, she said: “If you’re not going to do it for yourself, do it for your loved ones, because life is really precious.”
Their father had spent three months in the Mater where he was tended by many of the people with whom he had worked: “We thank all of them at the ICU at the Mater hospital, they gave him exceptional care,” Salman said.
Navan
Meanwhile, staff at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan observed a minute’s silence at noon to honour Dr Ali, who had worked at the hospital for many years as a locum emergency department registrar.
Describing him as "an esteemed colleague", hospital manager Ken Fitzgibbon said: "He is fondly remembered as a true gentleman and colleague to the staff in ED here in Navan."
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association said “Dr Ali’s tragic death at a young age reminds us once more of the sacrifices made by frontline healthcare professionals, particularly at this time.”
Describing him as an “exemplary medical professional with an immense dedication to public service”, the association said his expertise, care and warmth had “made an impression with patients and colleagues alike”.


theirishtimes--2020-07-23--Brothers staged car crash in ‘abhorrent’ attempt to rip off insurance body

Two brothers have been jailed for trying to “ rip off ” the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland ( MIBI ) by staging a road traffic collision .
Les Markham ( 29 ) , of Friary Court , Askeaton , Co Limerick , was described as “ the brains ” behind the staged crash on October 6th , 2017 , and received a two year sentence with the final 12 months suspended .
His brother , Ronnie ( 24 ) , also known as Ronnie Dearman , of Rose Court , Keyes Park , Southill , was sentenced to 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended .
Sending out a “ crystal clear ” message that insurance fraud will not be tolerated , Judge Tom O ’ Donnell said those involved must “ accept the consequences of their actions ” .
He said motorists were “ hard pressed enough to obtain motor insurance without the two accused attempting to rip off the system ” .
He said he had “ no doubt the court of public opinion ” would find the brothers actions “ abhorrent ” .
The court heard Markham purchased a Honda Civic online and given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ a willing participant ” , and asked him to rear-end a Volkswagen Passat .
Markham was one of four people in the Passat when it was rear-ended by Dearman at Derrybeg Cross , Rosbrien , Limerick on October 6th , 2017 .
The other occupants of the Passat had known nothing of their plot .
Dearman fled the scene on foot and was later arrested by gardaí after they found his traces of his DNA on the driver ’ s airbag in the Honda Civic , which had deployed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Passat were treated by paramedics and taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick .
All four lodged MIBI compensation claims but the court heard no monies were paid out .
Prosecuting counsel John O ’ Sullivan SC told a preliminary sentencing hearing last week that gardaí had suspected “ there was a smell attached to the whole thing ” from the off .
Markham pleaded guilty to attempting to make gain through inducing by deception the MIBI to pay a financial settlement arising out of a staged road traffic collision .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a garda witness said he was not aware that the accused had at the time owed a considerable drugs debt , and that a pipebomb was found outside his home in 2017 .
The brothers had 84 previous convictions between them , for minor drugs offences , road traffic matters and theft , but none involving deception .
They had drug addiction issues at the time , the court heard .
Markham once had a very promising ” jockey career which was “ thwarted by illness ” , the judge said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ skilled horseman .
Dearman had been “ at a low ebb and out of control ” because of his drug addiction , but has a talent for teaching young people how to ride , and “ is contributing to society with his horse skills , ” the judge noted .
Following his arrest , Dearman asked gardaí if it had been “ the DNA or the fingerprints that caught me ?
”

Ronnie Markham, also known Ronnie Dearman, outside Limerick Circuit Court before his sentencing on Thursday. Photograph: Liam Burke/Press 22.
Two brothers have been jailed for trying to “rip off” the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) by staging a road traffic collision.
Les Markham (29), of Friary Court, Askeaton, Co Limerick, was described as “the brains” behind the staged crash on October 6th, 2017, and received a two year sentence with the final 12 months suspended.
His brother, Ronnie (24), also known as Ronnie Dearman, of Rose Court, Keyes Park, Southill, was sentenced to 18 months, with the final nine months suspended.
Les Markham(29) is pictured arriving at Limerick Circuit Court on Thursday. Photograph: Liam Burke/Press 22.
Sending out a “crystal clear” message that insurance fraud will not be tolerated, Judge Tom O’Donnell said those involved must “accept the consequences of their actions”.
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He said motorists were “hard pressed enough to obtain motor insurance without the two accused attempting to rip off the system”. He said he had “no doubt the court of public opinion” would find the brothers actions “abhorrent”.
The court heard Markham purchased a Honda Civic online and given the keys to his brother, who was “a willing participant”, and asked him to rear-end a Volkswagen Passat.
Markham was one of four people in the Passat when it was rear-ended by Dearman at Derrybeg Cross, Rosbrien, Limerick on October 6th, 2017. The other occupants of the Passat had known nothing of their plot.
DNA
Dearman fled the scene on foot and was later arrested by gardaí after they found his traces of his DNA on the driver’s airbag in the Honda Civic, which had deployed in the collision.
Markham and the others in the Passat were treated by paramedics and taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick. All four lodged MIBI compensation claims but the court heard no monies were paid out.
Prosecuting counsel John O’Sullivan SC told a preliminary sentencing hearing last week that gardaí had suspected “there was a smell attached to the whole thing” from the off.
Markham pleaded guilty to attempting to make gain through inducing by deception the MIBI to pay a financial settlement arising out of a staged road traffic collision.
Under cross examination from Markham’s barrister, a garda witness said he was not aware that the accused had at the time owed a considerable drugs debt, and that a pipebomb was found outside his home in 2017.
Previous convictions
The brothers had 84 previous convictions between them, for minor drugs offences, road traffic matters and theft, but none involving deception.
They had drug addiction issues at the time, the court heard. Markham once had a very promising” jockey career which was “thwarted by illness”, the judge said. The court heard Dearman is also a skilled horseman.
Dearman had been “at a low ebb and out of control” because of his drug addiction, but has a talent for teaching young people how to ride, and “is contributing to society with his horse skills,” the judge noted.
Following his arrest, Dearman asked gardaí if it had been “the DNA or the fingerprints that caught me?”