theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Calls for immediate reintroduction of Covid-19 testing at meat plants

A trade union representing over 6,000 workers employed in the meat processing industry has called for the immediate recommencement of Covid-19 testing for workers amid fears of growing numbers contracting the disease .
Meat processing plants have been among the most vulnerable settings in terms of the spread of the coronavirus in the State .
SIPTU Divisional Organiser Greg Ennis said the union was “ extremely concerned ” serial testing in meat plants had been halted by the HSE , with all testing withdrawn from meat processing plants since Tuesday without any advance notice .
“ There have been 1,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to date with four clusters currently active .
Outbreaks of Covid-19 are also linked to overcrowding and hot-bedding in houses located close to several meat plants , ” Mr Ennis said .
“ Failure to reconvene weekly testing of meat plant workers could well result in another surge of cases across the industry and in their wider community .
It is well established that the meat industry generates the perfect vectors for transmission of the virus.
” Mr Ennis said that the testing and tracing system for people with Covid-19 is patently inadequate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per day as promised on March 19th by the then minister for health Simon Harris .
“ Six months later , we are still awaiting an efficient testing system with the winter flu season approaching .
Our members are justifiably fearful for their health , their families and their livelihoods in the essential meat and wider food production sector.
” The HSE has confirmed that Covid-19 testing of staff at meat and food processing facilities is “ being rescheduled into next week ” as a precautionary measure to allow it focus its resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people for coronavirus symptoms in the community at large .
“ Testing demand nearly trebled on Monday with a requirement for over 13,000 community tests and over 3,000 hospital tests , ” said the HSE in a statement .
“ We are liaising directly with the facilities scheduled for testing and will be re-scheduling planned testing next week .
It is important to remember that where an outbreak occurs in a plant then normal mass testing will still occur in meat plants .
“ Public Health will be in touch locally in those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a staff member develops symptoms of coronavirus , we would ask them to self-isolate and phone a GP to be referred for a free coronavirus test.
” According to the HSE , serial testing of staff in meat plants , which commenced on August 21st , has yielded some 40 positive cases so far and a positivity rate of 0.28 per cent - which has been described as “ very low ” by the industry ’ s representative body , Meat Industry Ireland .
Meat Industry Ireland ’ s Cormac Healy said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried out across all primary and secondary meat processing facilities in the country have been very encouraging and show an extremely low incidence of positive cases .
“ This demonstrates that the comprehensive protocols and mitigation measures in place in processing facilities across the country are working , ” he said .
Mr Healy said that at this point , food processing facilities in Laois , Offaly and Kildare that had been restricted have been tested weekly for the last three weeks , and a full round of nationwide testing in meat processing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
“ We understand that a decision by the HSE to pause the screening programme has been taken in order to release capacity for increased demand for symptomatic community testing , ” said Mr Healy , adding that no industrial work setting has had such a comprehensive testing programme in place .
“ Clearly , the low level of detection of positives in the screening at meat plants facilitates this change in HSE priorities .
We will continue to be guided by the public health authorities as regards the appropriate testing approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at any time.
” On Wednesday night it emerged the HSE had suspended testing for Covid-19 at food and meat processing plants due to capacity issues and increased demand for testing .
The increased surveillance of meat plants was announced last month in response to a surge in Covid-19 infections at four meat factories that contributed to the lockdowns of Kildare , Laois and Offaly .
In a statement to Sinn Féin , HSE director of public health mid-west Dr Mai Mannix said a decision had been taken nationally to “ postpone ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants .
This was “ because of the increased capacity needed at the moment to deal with people with symptoms ” .
“ The decision to recommence Covid testing at food processing plants will also be taken at national level , ” she said .

There have been 1,500 cases and 31 clusters within meat plants to date with four clusters currently active, unions say.
A trade union representing over 6,000 workers employed in the meat processing industry has called for the immediate recommencement of Covid-19 testing for workers amid fears of growing numbers contracting the disease.
Meat processing plants have been among the most vulnerable settings in terms of the spread of the coronavirus in the State.
SIPTU Divisional Organiser Greg Ennis said the union was "extremely concerned"serial testing in meat plants had been halted by the HSE, with all testing withdrawn from meat processing plants since Tuesday without any advance notice.
“There have been 1,500 cases and 31 clusters within meat plants to date with four clusters currently active. Outbreaks of Covid-19 are also linked to overcrowding and hot-bedding in houses located close to several meat plants,” Mr Ennis said.
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“Failure to reconvene weekly testing of meat plant workers could well result in another surge of cases across the industry and in their wider community. It is well established that the meat industry generates the perfect vectors for transmission of the virus.”
Mr Ennis said that the testing and tracing system for people with Covid-19 is patently inadequate and has never achieved the 15,000 tests per day as promised on March 19th by the then minister for health Simon Harris.
“Six months later, we are still awaiting an efficient testing system with the winter flu season approaching. Our members are justifiably fearful for their health, their families and their livelihoods in the essential meat and wider food production sector.”
The HSE has confirmed that Covid-19 testing of staff at meat and food processing facilities is “being rescheduled into next week” as a precautionary measure to allow it focus its resources on the growing demand for testing among people for coronavirus symptoms in the community at large.
“Testing demand nearly trebled on Monday with a requirement for over 13,000 community tests and over 3,000 hospital tests,” said the HSE in a statement.
“We are liaising directly with the facilities scheduled for testing and will be re-scheduling planned testing next week. It is important to remember that where an outbreak occurs in a plant then normal mass testing will still occur in meat plants.
“Public Health will be in touch locally in those situations. In the meantime, if a staff member develops symptoms of coronavirus, we would ask them to self-isolate and phone a GP to be referred for a free coronavirus test.”
According to the HSE, serial testing of staff in meat plants, which commenced on August 21st, has yielded some 40 positive cases so far and a positivity rate of 0.28 per cent - which has been described as “very low” by the industry’s representative body, Meat Industry Ireland.
Meat Industry Ireland’s Cormac Healy said that results to-date from Covid-19 serial testing being carried out across all primary and secondary meat processing facilities in the country have been very encouraging and show an extremely low incidence of positive cases.
“This demonstrates that the comprehensive protocols and mitigation measures in place in processing facilities across the country are working,” he said.
Mr Healy said that at this point, food processing facilities in Laois, Offaly and Kildare that had been restricted have been tested weekly for the last three weeks, and a full round of nationwide testing in meat processing facilities has been undertaken in the last week.
“We understand that a decision by the HSE to pause the screening programme has been taken in order to release capacity for increased demand for symptomatic community testing,” said Mr Healy, adding that no industrial work setting has had such a comprehensive testing programme in place.
“Clearly, the low level of detection of positives in the screening at meat plants facilitates this change in HSE priorities. We will continue to be guided by the public health authorities as regards the appropriate testing approach and stand ready to facilitate further testing at any time.”
On Wednesday night it emerged the HSE had suspended testing for Covid-19 at food and meat processing plants due to capacity issues and increased demand for testing.
The increased surveillance of meat plants was announced last month in response to a surge in Covid-19 infections at four meat factories that contributed to the lockdowns of Kildare, Laois and Offaly.
In a statement to Sinn Féin, HSE director of public health mid-west Dr Mai Mannix said a decision had been taken nationally to “postpone” testing for the virus at food processing plants.
This was “because of the increased capacity needed at the moment to deal with people with symptoms”.
“The decision to recommence Covid testing at food processing plants will also be taken at national level,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Nursing home regulation in need of ‘urgent’ overhaul, says Hiqa

An immediate review of the oversight of nursing homes and extra powers for the regulator are required as Covid-19 continues to impact on the sector , an Oireachtas Committee has heard .
The Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) said it needed extra powers to implement and police the recommendations of the Government ’ s expert group report on nursing homes , including an increase in on-site inspections and monitoring Covid-19 preparedness .
“ Covid-19 has brought into sharp focus the need to immediately review and enhance the current regulatory framework , ” Hiqa chief executive Phelim Quinn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his opening statement .
“ In the long term , a reform of established models of care for older people in Ireland is required.
” Mr Quinn told the committee that nursing homes faced “ substantial challenges ” due to a variety of factors , including limited working knowledge of the extent of how the disease spread asymptomatically , constraints on testing , and the scarcity of PPE , as well as problems caused by the need to replace quarantine staff .
He said infection prevention control procedures were “ not commensurate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic ” .
He also said “ the fact that 80 per cent of nursing homes are privately managed with minimal formal referral pathways to the HSE ” was a challenge .
A number of recommendations made by the Nursing Homes Expert Panel report , published in August , “ require urgent implementation and/or planning for implementation to commence immediately , ” he added .
Mr Quinn told Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane that it had been “ highlighting deficits ” and telling the Department of Health about the need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
“ It ’ s a message we ’ ve consistently included within reports and submissions to the Department of Health since 2013 , ” he said .
He cited the lack of adult safeguarding legislation , which would allow for dedicated investigations into abuse , including institutional abuse , as a particular issue .
Hiqa told Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall that it had 22 staff dedicated to nursing home oversight , with 17 inspectors included in that number .
An additional nine staff , including seven inspectors , have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised the absence of statutory staffing levels in nursing homes , and asked if this had been raised with the Minister for Health by Hiqa .
Mary Dunnion , chief inspector of social services , said the issue had been raised in submissions to the department , adding that “ the totality of regulations about care and welfare need to be reviewed as a matter of priority ” .
Fine Gael TD Fergus O ’ Dowd strongly criticised Hiqa ’ s response to families of the 23 people who died in Dealgan House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constituency .
He said the families had struggled to obtain information about the impact of the pandemic under Freedom of Information laws , he said .
Dismissing the Hiqa opening statement as “ self serving ” , he said : “ They ’ re getting no help from Hiqa ... who are facing their correspondence with redacted FOIs and lack of information ” .
This was “ deeply hurting ” the families , he added .
He also criticised the lag between March 13th , when Hiqa ceased inspections of nursing homes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it provided recommendations on how to manage the disease in the facilities , which Hiqa said was in the first two weeks in April .
“ I would consider that to be very , very late indeed and it ’ s during that period of time people were dying in nursing homes up and down the country.
” Recent inspections have included listening to views of people living in nursing homes , who , Mr Quinn said had expressed “ a range of emotions ” on Covid .
“ Some feared contracting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and friends , while others felt a deep sense of isolation and loneliness as a result of the visiting restrictions , ” he said .
All residents said they were “ deeply grateful ” to staff who had provided care in “ extremely challenging circumstances ” , Mr Quinn noted .

‘In the long term, a reform of established models of care for older people in Ireland is required,’ Hiqa chief Phelim Quinn said. Photograph: iStock
An immediate review of the oversight of nursing homes and extra powers for the regulator are required as Covid-19 continues to impact on the sector, an Oireachtas committee has heard.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said it needed extra powers to implement and police the recommendations of the Government’s expert group report on nursing homes, including an increase in on-site inspections and monitoring Covid-19 preparedness.
"Covid-19 has brought into sharp focus the need to immediately review and enhance the current regulatory framework," Hiqa chief executive Phelim Quinn told the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response in his opening statement.
"In the long term, a reform of established models of care for older people in Ireland is required."
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Mr Quinn told the committee that nursing homes faced “substantial challenges” due to a variety of factors, including limited working knowledge of the extent of how the disease spread asymptomatically, constraints on testing, and the scarcity of PPE, as well as problems caused by the need to replace quarantine staff. He said infection prevention control procedures were “not commensurate with what would be required to effectively manage a pandemic”.
He also said “the fact that 80 per cent of nursing homes are privately managed with minimal formal referral pathways to the HSE” was a challenge.
Recommendations
A number of recommendations made by the Nursing Homes Expert Panel report, published in August, “require urgent implementation and/or planning for implementation to commence immediately,” he added.
Mr Quinn told Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane that it had been "highlighting deficits" and telling the Department of Health about the need for more powers and regulatory reform for seven years.
“It’s a message we’ve consistently included within reports and submissions to the Department of Health since 2013,” he said. He cited the lack of adult safeguarding legislation, which would allow for dedicated investigations into abuse, including institutional abuse, as a particular issue.
Hiqa told Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall that it had 22 staff dedicated to nursing home oversight, with 17 inspectors included in that number. An additional nine staff, including seven inspectors, have been sanctioned by the Government.
Ms Shortall raised the absence of statutory staffing levels in nursing homes, and asked if this had been raised with the Minister for Health by Hiqa.
Mary Dunnion, chief inspector of social services, said the issue had been raised in submissions to the department, adding that "the totality of regulations about care and welfare need to be reviewed as a matter of priority".
Families
Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd strongly criticised Hiqa's response to families of the 23 people who died in Dealgan House nursing home in Dundalk, Co Louth, which is in his constituency. He said the families had struggled to obtain information about the impact of the pandemic under Freedom of Information laws, he said.
Dismissing the Hiqa opening statement as “self-serving”, he said: “They’re getting no help from Hiqa . . . who are facing their correspondence with redacted FOIs and lack of information.” This was “deeply hurting” the families, he added.
He also criticised the lag between March 13th, when Hiqa ceased inspections of nursing homes in line with public health advice, and when it provided recommendations on how to manage the disease in the facilities, which Hiqa said was in the first two weeks in April.
“I would consider that to be very, very late indeed and it’s during that period of time people were dying in nursing homes up and down the country.”
Recent inspections have included listening to views of people living in nursing homes, who Mr Quinn said had expressed “a range of emotions” on Covid.
“Some feared contracting the virus and worried about their families and friends, while others felt a deep sense of isolation and loneliness as a result of the visiting restrictions,” he said.
All residents said they were “deeply grateful” to staff who had provided care in “extremely challenging circumstances”, Mr Quinn noted.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--SF’s O’Neill admits attendance at Storey funeral undermined health message

The North ’ s deputy first minister Michelle O ’ Neill of Sinn Féin has acknowledged public health messaging during the coronavirus pandemic was undermined by her presence at the funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey .
“ It wasn ’ t my intention this would happen , but it did , ” she told RTÉ .
“ I accept this , and I regret this is the case.
” Joint press conferences by Ms O ’ Neill and the first minister , the DUP ’ s Arlene Foster - which began as part of the Northern Executive ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the controversy over the funeral , which appeared to breach both social distancing guidelines and the coronavirus regulations .
“ I accept that we have not been able to deliver clear messaging in the format that was the practice before this controversy , ” Ms O ’ Neill said .
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Ms O ’ Neill were among a number of senior party figures who attended the funeral of the former IRA member in west Belfast in June .
Thousands lined the streets for the funeral , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and coronavirus regulations in a number of respects , including the limit on the number of people allowed inside the church for Requiem Mass and attendance at Roselawn crematorium .
Ms O ’ Neill initially stood by her decision to attend the funeral , but subsequently apologised to families bereaved during lockdown for any hurt caused .
On Thursday said she hoped the cohesion at leadership level in the Executive can be restored for the challenges that lie ahead , and the policy of she and Ms Foster sharing a platform and making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be restored before the winter .
Ms O ’ Neill was speaking ahead of a key meeting of the Northern Executive on Thursday , when ministers are expected to approve new restrictions to combat coronavirus in the North .
The DUP leader on Thursday morning responded to Ms O ’ Neill ’ s statement , saying it was “ right that the deputy first minister has acknowledged the undermining of the public messaging as a result of what happened , and the deep hurt and anger that was caused as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Those who set the rules must abide by the rules , ” she said .
Mr Storey ’ s funeral , Ms Foster said , had “ fundamentally undermined the Northern Ireland Executive ’ s Covid-19 rules and confused our messaging .
“ The public messaging was significantly undermined as a result of the attendance at the funeral by those who make the law and regulations , ” she said .
“ Clearly those investigations and enquiries into the activities at the funeral which we instigated must continue and we look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible .
“ Northern Ireland is facing very significant challenges as a result of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic and it is vital that as we move forward we do so on the basis that our messages are clear and that the actions of everyone in leadership do nothing to undermine the collective efforts to beat Covid-19.
” However it is not clear if joint press conferences will resume immediately .
Ms Foster had previously stipulated that she would not resume joint briefings until Ms O ’ Neill recognised her actions had damaged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messaging .
Speaking on RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland , Ms McDonald said she accepted “ and by the way have accepted from the time of Bobby ’ s funeral that the large numbers on the streets and all that gave rise to very legitimate and very heartfelt public concern , we set that out from the get go .
“ Michelle is making clear an important point , firstly her regret , and our regret that any undermining would occur to the public health messaging , and also the fact that now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the island and in the North between all of the parties on the Executive to stand on a common platform.
” This was , she said , “ to ensure that the public get , not just a clear message which is essential , but the confidence that comes from a sense of common purpose amongst those who are in government.
” Asked by presenter Gavin Jennings how public health was undermined by her attendance at the funeral , Ms McDonald acknowledged the “ really hard experiences ” that people who had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She said “ the fact that a lot of people were out on the streets [ at Mr Storey ’ s funeral ] ...
I think that gave rise to a concern around social distancing , which is absolutely understandable.
” Asked if she would accept it had taken her a long time to acknowledge that , Ms McDonald insisted she had accepted and discussed the issues in considerable detail .
The DUP ’ s Upper Bann MP , Carla Lockhart , said on social media that “ the consequences of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is evidenced in the case count , yet sorry seems to be the hardest word .
“ Breathtaking arrogance .
What they expect of others they won ’ t do themselves .
”

First Minister Arlene Foster (left) and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill arrive for the media broadcast at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, in Belfast on Thursday. Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA Wire
The North's First and Deputy First ministers resumed joint press conferences on Thursday for the first time since they were halted following the controversy over Michelle O'Neill's presence at the funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey.
Standing alongside her partner in government, Arlene Foster, at the podiums at Stormont for the first time in more than two months, Ms O'Neill used her opening remarks to address the "commentary and speculation around these press conferences and when they might return".
Using language similar to that of a statement to RTÉ on Wednesday night, which paved the way for the resumption of the joint briefings less than 24 hours later, Ms O'Neill said "I do accept the public messaging about the pandemic has been undermined by the controversy over the last number of months.
“It was never my intention that that would happen, but it did, and I regret that.
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“So I want to rebuild trust with the public, as we have the most challenging times ahead of us on many levels in the coming weeks and months and we must work together for the common good,” she said.
Ms O'Neill and the Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald were among a number of senior party figures who attended Mr Storey's funeral in west Belfast in June.
Thousands lined the streets for the ceremony, which appeared to breach both social distancing guidelines and coronavirus regulations in a number of respects, including the limit on the number of people allowed inside the church for Requiem Mass, an oration by former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams at Milltown Cemetery, and the presence of 30 people at a service at Roselawn crematorium.
Questioned by reporters over her presence at Mr Storey’s funeral, Ms O’Neill said she was “very much on the record” that it was “never my intention to cause or compound” the hurt of anyone who had lost loved ones during the pandemic.
But she also played down the impact of the hiatus, saying “the absence of a press conference didn’t mean we weren’t communicating a public message, we certainly were, and I’m glad that we’re here today communicating it together”.
Ms Foster too appeared keen to move on from the controversy and to focus on delivering the public health message, which on Thursday evening was the announcement of fresh restrictions in Belfast and other parts of Co Antrim to try and limit the rising number of coronavirus cases in the North.
She said she had been on the record that she believed Ms O’Neill’s actions had undermined their public messaging but “there has been an acknowledgement and regret for what happened at that time and I acknowledge that”.
Referring to investigations by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and Police Ombudsman, she said "the other investigations continue and will continue, and we will have an outcome in relation to that".
However, in the Dáil, there was a chorus of criticism from political parties about what they portrayed as a volte face from Sinn Féin, with several claiming the party’s approach to the funeral had been hypocritical.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar asked if anyone in Sinn Féin would resign as others had done arising from the so-called “golfgate” episode.
“I can understand people paying their respects in the streets but I can’t understand or accept the political rally in Milltown cemetery. This was no graveside oration. Mr Storey was cremated on the other side of town. It was a political rally in the middle of a pandemic organised by Sinn Féin and other republicans.”
Mr Varadkar said: “We’ve seen a dozen resignations as a result of ‘golfgate’ in the last few weeks. Will anyone in Sinn Féin be resigning as a consequence?”
Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan said Sinn Féin had “belatedly recognised the inappropriateness of their senior political leaders knowingly being part of a densely populated crowd at a funeral during the height of the pandemic.”
He said that calling on other politicians to resign for breaching public health guidelines was “sheer hypocrisy if Sinn Féin leaders are happy to breach them themselves.”
Jed Nash of the Labour Party said the apology took “three months longer than it ought to”.
He said the apology did not include the “flocking into Belfast of masses of party supporters from across the island of Ireland, an act which could have put families and communities across the country at serious risk.
Earlier Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she had accepted “from the get-go” that large crowds on the street gave rise to very legitimate public concern.
She denied it had taken the party a long time to acknowledge this. She said the party was very conscious of the experiences of people who were bereaved in circumstances that were a “cruel experience”.
“Michelle is making clear an important point, firstly her regret, and our regret that any undermining would occur to the public health messaging, and also the fact that now we need now a joined effort across the island and in the North between all of the parties on the Executive to stand on a common platform.”
This was, Ms McDonald said, “to ensure that the public get, not just a clear message which is essential, but the confidence that comes from a sense of common purpose amongst those who are in government.”
Asked by presenter Gavin Jennings how public health was undermined by her attendance at the funeral, Ms McDonald acknowledged the “really hard experiences” that people who had been bereaved during the pandemic had gone through. She said “the fact that a lot of people were out on the streets [at Mr Storey’s funeral]...I think that gave rise to a concern around social distancing, which is absolutely understandable.”
Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll-McNeill contended Sinn Féin had yet to make a “Dublin apology” for the attendance of her and the party leadership at the event.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Homeless charity reports 18 per cent rise in demand for healthcare services

A homelessness charity in Dublin made an average of two “ critical interventions ” to people with suicidality per day last year , according to its annual report .
The Dublin Simon Community said that 53 per cent of residents in emergency accommodation centres required mental health support – the vast majority of whom ( 90 per cent ) have additional physical health or addiction issues .
According to the charity ’ s 2019 annual report , published on Thursday , there was an 18 per cent increase in demand for homeless healthcare services , such as residential detox , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The charity provided access to treatment to 1,281 people last year .
In 2019 , the waiting time for detox services increased by 84 per cent , the blood borne virus unit waiting time was up by 24 per cent , and the time waiting to attend addiction recovery services was up by 55 per cent .
The charity ’ s homeless-specific counselling service , Sure Steps Counselling , provided 2,850 hours of counselling in 2019 , up 17 per cent on the previous year .
Almost 20 per cent of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average of two per day .
Sam McGuinness , chief executive of the Dublin Simon Community , warned of the possibility of a “ health crisis ” among the homeless population as a consequence of “ health underfunding ” and increasing homelessness numbers due to accommodation constraints .
Health funding for homeless services has decreased by 54 per cent per person since 2014 , the charity added .
“ Demand for treatment services to meet the critical health needs of our homeless population has grown throughout 2019 with further growth experienced this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Mr McGuinness said .
“ Within our own treatment services we are presently faced with an ongoing funding deficit of at least €1 million per year.
” Mr McGuinness said that the outlook within their emergency accommodation is “ daunting ” , as 1,231 people accessed their emergency services last year .
“ Our analysis of this population showed that 36 per cent of people have been homeless for more than five years , and two-thirds of them are aged between 25 and 44 , ” he said .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high : 53 per cent have a requirement for mental health support , 23 per cent have both mental health and addiction issues , 19 per cent have mental health , addiction and physical health issues and a further 19 per cent have addiction and physical health issues.
” Mr McGuinness called on the government to provide additional funding to meet the health needs of the homeless population .
Majella Darcy , head of treatment services in Dublin Simon Community , said the increased challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic required the charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the way we deliver services ” .
“ Services such as counselling moved online and virtual , and we implemented an emotional support freephone service for the homelessness sector .
In the first seven weeks of operation this service delivered 300 hours of phone counselling , ” she said .
“ We expect these services to be under continual pressure while the pandemic is still active.
” The annual report was by unveiled on Thursday by Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu on Thursday , who described the charity as a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .

The Dublin Simon Community has reported an 18 per cent increase in demand for homeless healthcare services. File photograph: The Irish Times
A homelessness charity in Dublin made an average of two “critical interventions” to people with suicidality per day last year, according to its annual report.
The Dublin Simon Community said that 53 per cent of residents in emergency accommodation centres required mental health support – the vast majority of whom (90 per cent) have additional physical health or addiction issues.
According to the charity’s 2019 annual report, published on Thursday, there was an 18 per cent increase in demand for homeless healthcare services, such as residential detox, addiction recovery and blood borne virus services.
The charity provided access to treatment to 1,281 people last year.
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In 2019, the waiting time for detox services increased by 84 per cent, the blood borne virus unit waiting time was up by 24 per cent, and the time waiting to attend addiction recovery services was up by 55 per cent.
The charity’s homeless-specific counselling service, Sure Steps Counselling, provided 2,850 hours of counselling in 2019, up 17 per cent on the previous year.
Almost 20 per cent of those hours were crisis interventions for suicidality – an average of two per day.
Sam McGuinness, chief executive of the Dublin Simon Community, warned of the possibility of a “health crisis” among the homeless population as a consequence of “health underfunding” and increasing homelessness numbers due to accommodation constraints.
Health funding for homeless services has decreased by 54 per cent per person since 2014, the charity added.
“Demand for treatment services to meet the critical health needs of our homeless population has grown throughout 2019 with further growth experienced this year due to the impact of Covid-19,” Mr McGuinness said.
“Within our own treatment services we are presently faced with an ongoing funding deficit of at least €1 million per year.”
Mr McGuinness said that the outlook within their emergency accommodation is “daunting”, as 1,231 people accessed their emergency services last year.
“Our analysis of this population showed that 36 per cent of people have been homeless for more than five years, and two-thirds of them are aged between 25 and 44,” he said.
“This group’s health needs are particularly high: 53 per cent have a requirement for mental health support, 23 per cent have both mental health and addiction issues, 19 per cent have mental health, addiction and physical health issues and a further 19 per cent have addiction and physical health issues.”
Mr McGuinness called on the government to provide additional funding to meet the health needs of the homeless population.
Majella Darcy, head of treatment services in Dublin Simon Community, said the increased challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic required the charity to take "a whole new approach in the way we deliver services".
“Services such as counselling moved online and virtual, and we implemented an emotional support freephone service for the homelessness sector. In the first seven weeks of operation this service delivered 300 hours of phone counselling,” she said.
“We expect these services to be under continual pressure while the pandemic is still active.”
The annual report was by unveiled on Thursday by Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu on Thursday, who described the charity as a "part of the fabric of Dublin society".


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--New Covid plan will detail local restrictions in event of case spikes, Martin says

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has appealed to adults to limit their social contacts in order to ensure schools can stay open and people continue working .
He said the new long-term plan for living alongside Caved-19 to be launched on Monday will be clear about at what stage local restrictions will kick in if required .
“ I am asking people to limit their social contacts , especially adults .
We want schools to stay open and we want people to keep working , ” he said .
Mr Martin said the Government wanted to ensure there was a clear and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think people are tired and fatigued with this virus ” he told RTÉ Radio One ’ s Morning Ireland .
Next week ’ s plan will offer a framework , with “ simple messaging ” about the different levels that will apply in the event of spikes in numbers .
“ We are moving into a second phase.
” Mr Martin said he knew it had been difficult and challenging for people and he called on the public to be resilient .
He said he was very concerned with increased Caved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ learned lessons from the past ” and he hoped Ireland would not see a return of significant outbreaks in nursing homes .
The Taoiseach defended the testing and tracing system , saying the State had one of the highest levels of testing in Europe .
Locations such as meat plants , direct provision centres and nursing homes remained key , he said .
“ We want to protect lives and livelihoods.
” Mr Martin said the Government had “ broad trust ” in the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NEOPHYTE ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have .
But the bottom line was that personal behaviour mattered , and people needed to reduce their contacts , he said .
With regard to the opening of pubs , Mr Martin said that in counties where there were low levels of the virus there was a case for reopening .
However , he pointed out that the decision about the opening of pubs always had the caveat about local figures .
Meanwhile , the number of notifications of close contacts identified on the smart phone app for Caved-19 has almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line with an increase in diagnosed cases .
As of Wednesday evening , 953 people have been identified as close contacts of those with confirmed diagnoses .
This compares to a figure of 370 last month .
The number is probably closer to 1,300 as some quarter of the 1.84 million people who have downloaded the app have opted not to share their information .
The number of people using the app who have uploaded their status as positive for Caved-19 has also increased to 580 .
According to the HSE ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures are consistent with the substantial increase in Caved-19 diagnosis over the past six weeks .
“ There is a correlation between the number of positive cases and the number of close contacts as numbers increase on a daily basis .
There are peaks and troughs also , depending on the day , ” said Mr Thomson .
The digital app will identify a person as a close contact if they have been within two metres of a confirmed case for a period of no less than 15 minutes .
The app which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contact tracers who get a list off the person with a confirmed case of coronavirus of those with whom she or he has been in close contact .

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called for solidarity among nations and global leadership to defeat COVID-19, adding that divisions will only give the virus an opportunity to spread. Video: WHO
A further 196 confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been notified to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) , including 107 in Dublin, it has been reported. This brings to 30,360 the total number of cases of the disease in the Republic.
Total fatalities from the virus remains at 1,781.
Along with the 107 in Dublin, there are 12 in Waterford, 11 in Limerick, eight in Wicklow, seven in Meath, seven in Kildare, six in Laois, six in Westmeath, and the remaining 32 cases are located in Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary and Wexford.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said there are worrying signs of increased community transmission, with 37 cases. Of today’s cases 27 are in those over the age of 65.
READ MORE
“By limiting our contacts, we limit the opportunity Covid-19 has to spread through the community and ultimately we protect our families, our communities and those who are most vulnerable to the severest impacts of the disease,” he said.
Taoiseach’s appeal
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has appealed to adults to limit their social contacts in order to ensure schools can remain open and people continue working.
He said the new long-term plan for living alongside Covid-19 – to be launched on Monday – will be clear about at what stage local restrictions will kick in if required.
“I am asking people to limit their social contacts, especially adults. We want schools to stay open and we want people to keep working,” he said.
Mr Martin said the Government wanted to ensure there was a clear and consistent approach to dealing with Covid-19.
“I think people are tired and fatigued with this virus,” he told RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland.
Next week’s plan will offer a framework, with “simple messaging” about the different levels that will apply in the event of spikes in numbers. “We are moving into a second phase.”
Mr Martin said he knew it had been difficult and challenging for people and he called on the public to be resilient. He expressed concern at the increasing Covid-19 numbers, but said the Government had “learned lessons from the past” and he hoped Ireland would not see a return of significant outbreaks in nursing homes.
The Taoiseach defended the testing-and-tracing system, saying the State had one of the highest levels of testing in Europe. Locations such as meat plants, direct provision centres and nursing homes remained key, he said.
“We want to protect lives and livelihoods.”
Mr Martin said the Government had “broad trust” in NPHET advice and would listen to any guidance they have.
But the bottom line was that personal behaviour mattered and people needed to reduce their contacts, he said.
With regard to the opening of pubs, Mr Martin said that in counties where there were low virus levels there was a case for reopening. But he added that the decision concerning pub opening always had the caveat about local figures.
Meanwhile, the number of notifications of close contacts identified on the smart phone app for Covid-19 has almost trebled in the past month, in line with an increase in diagnosed cases.
Disturbing trend
These figures are consistent with the substantial increase in Covid-19 diagnosis over the past six weeks, according to Health Service Executive chief information officer Fran Thomson.
“There is a correlation between the number of positive cases and the number of close contacts as numbers increase on a daily basis. There are peaks and troughs also, depending on the day,” said Mr Thomson.
The digital app will identify a person as a close contact if they have been within 2m of a confirmed case for a period of no less than 15 minutes.
The app, which uses Bluetooth scanning technology, works as a complement to contact tracers who get a list off the person with a confirmed case of coronavirus of those with whom she or he has been in close contact.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--What do our yellow Covid-19 signs say about us?

The colour yellow will never feel the same .
No longer just the colour of jaunty raincoats and the giant Ikea sign , yellow is now the reminder that we are still supposed to be vigilant for Covid-19 .
There are yellow signs in the windows of shops , yellow signs at the park , yellow signs at the playground , yellow signs at the bus stop .
There are even yellow marks on the pavements in case we can ’ t visualise what two metres apart might mean .
Despite being a historian attuned to the social and cultural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken that yellow was a kind of universal Covid colour .
It wasn ’ t until I started looking at official Covid-19 signage from lots of other places that I realised how different our signage is .
It is more uniform , more easily identified and definitely more yellow than any other signage I have seen .
We do not have signs telling us to keep one horse apart ( Saratoga Springs , NY ) or three geese apart ( Toronto ) or , my personal favourite , one horizontal Bruce Springsteen apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bruce signage they had to include his raised arm because he is not 2m tall .
There is an interesting history to the signs societies have used to give public health messages .
Historians have traced ideas and attitudes about disease and society using posters like our ubiquitous yellow Covid ones .
During the 19th century most public health notices had no images , they were simply text .
Broadsides during the outbreaks of cholera in Dublin reveal plenty about the concept of disease that prevailed and how it changed over time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ notices warned about the dangers of eating too much fresh fruit and consuming too much alcohol .
By the 1866 outbreak the Dublin Corporation advocated boiling water while still advising against intemperance and filth .
A quasi-bacterial message had been combined with older ideas about staying healthy .
By the 20th century , contagious diseases such as tuberculosis were more clearly linked to the dispersal of germs .
The public health advice appearing in posters assumed wider public understanding of these scientific ideas .
Posters popular in Ireland admonished people not to spit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by “ scattering the germs of disease ” .
They also tried to dispel long-held beliefs that tuberculosis was genetic rather than contagious and that the disease could not be treated .
Across Europe , a particular concern with tuberculosis in children is reflected in their appearance in these posters .
Tuberculosis itself was represented as a spider , a snake , an octopus , a reaper and , at least once , as a hairy green bug the size of a child .
The posters that didn ’ t appear in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that did .
While the rest of Europe and America was engaged in a visual war against syphilis and gonorrhea , Ireland pursued the eradication of sexually transmitted diseases while trying to avoid drawing much attention to the fact .
Starting in the early 20th century and expanding during the two world wars , public health posters elsewhere laid gender politics bare .
STDs almost always appeared in the form of tempting women whose lovely exterior disguised their danger .
American GIs were warned that “ good-time girls ” who only looked “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Axis .
What do our yellow Covid posters say about us ?
Any analysis at this stage would be partial and premature but here are a few thoughts .
The uniformity does reflect the centralised and co-ordinated response here in comparison to , for example , the scattered and devolved responsibility in the US .
The infographics are plain and clear and repetitive .
The authority of the government is stamped in one corner and the authority of science ( in the form of a picture of the virus ) in another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posters is what was often crudely present in the posters of the past .
Any message appealing to the heart rather than the head ( # inthistogether , # protecteachother ) loses potency when stamped above widget people rather than real ones .
The universality of the posters makes them as impersonal as they are clear .
It will be for some future historian to determine whether this has had any impact on compliance with the measures they contain .
Dr Juliana Adelman is assistant professor in history at Dublin City University – @ @

The colour yellow will never feel the same. No longer just the colour of jaunty raincoats and the giant Ikea sign, yellow is now the reminder that we are still supposed to be vigilant for Covid-19.
There are yellow signs in the windows of shops, yellow signs at the park, yellow signs at the playground, yellow signs at the bus stop. There are even yellow marks on the pavements in case we can’t visualise what two metres apart might mean.
Despite being a historian attuned to the social and cultural context of visual expression I had somehow taken that yellow was a kind of universal Covid colour. It wasn’t until I started looking at official Covid-19 signage from lots of other places that I realised how different our signage is.
REMINDER: Keep AT LEAST one Springsteen of space between yourself and others pic.twitter.com/OHiYgGzdo2 — New Jersey (@NJGov) April 10, 2020
It is more uniform, more easily identified and definitely more yellow than any other signage I have seen. We do not have signs telling us to keep one horse apart (Saratoga Springs, NY) or three geese apart (Toronto) or, my personal favourite, one horizontal Bruce Springsteen apart (New Jersey). For the Bruce signage they had to include his raised arm because he is not 2m tall.
READ MORE
There is an interesting history to the signs societies have used to give public health messages. Historians have traced ideas and attitudes about disease and society using posters like our ubiquitous yellow Covid ones.
During the 19th century most public health notices had no images, they were simply text. Broadsides during the outbreaks of cholera in Dublin reveal plenty about the concept of disease that prevailed and how it changed over time. During the 1830s and 1840s, the notices warned about the dangers of eating too much fresh fruit and consuming too much alcohol.
By the 1866 outbreak the Dublin Corporation advocated boiling water while still advising against intemperance and filth. A quasi-bacterial message had been combined with older ideas about staying healthy.
By the 20th century, contagious diseases such as tuberculosis were more clearly linked to the dispersal of germs. The public health advice appearing in posters assumed wider public understanding of these scientific ideas. Posters popular in Ireland admonished people not to spit because it was "offensive and dangerous" by "scattering the germs of disease".
They also tried to dispel long-held beliefs that tuberculosis was genetic rather than contagious and that the disease could not be treated. Across Europe, a particular concern with tuberculosis in children is reflected in their appearance in these posters. Tuberculosis itself was represented as a spider, a snake, an octopus, a reaper and, at least once, as a hairy green bug the size of a child.
Signs about Covid-19 measures in the Parini high school, in Milan, Italy. Photograph: Matteo Corner/EPA
The posters that didn’t appear in Ireland are almost as revealing as those that did. While the rest of Europe and America was engaged in a visual war against syphilis and gonorrhea, Ireland pursued the eradication of sexually transmitted diseases while trying to avoid drawing much attention to the fact.
Starting in the early 20th century and expanding during the two world wars, public health posters elsewhere laid gender politics bare. STDs almost always appeared in the form of tempting women whose lovely exterior disguised their danger. American GIs were warned that “good-time girls” who only looked “clean” could prevent them from beating the Axis.
What do our yellow Covid posters say about us? Any analysis at this stage would be partial and premature but here are a few thoughts. The uniformity does reflect the centralised and co-ordinated response here in comparison to, for example, the scattered and devolved responsibility in the US. The infographics are plain and clear and repetitive. The authority of the government is stamped in one corner and the authority of science (in the form of a picture of the virus) in another.
What is usually absent from the posters is what was often crudely present in the posters of the past. Any message appealing to the heart rather than the head (#inthistogether, #protecteachother) loses potency when stamped above widget people rather than real ones. The universality of the posters makes them as impersonal as they are clear. It will be for some future historian to determine whether this has had any impact on compliance with the measures they contain.
Dr Juliana Adelman is assistant professor in history at Dublin City University – @AdelmanJuliana


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Coronavirus: People told to change behaviour amid fears Dublin cases could double every two weeks

The number of Covid-19 cases in Dublin will double every 14 days unless the public makes urgent changes to behaviour , acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has warned .
Public health officials are now warning people living in the capital to limit family gatherings as new figures reported a further 84 cases in the State , including 51 of them in Dublin .
The number of infections among older people has almost doubled .
In the past fortnight , 89 people aged 75 years and over have contracted the disease , twice the level in the previous fortnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( NPHET ) briefing has heard .
“ It remains within the hands of individuals , families and communities to stop this getting worse .
From that perspective , household gatherings , Communion parties , christenings and other family events where multiple people are coming together – if at all possible they do need to be stopped for the next few weeks , ” said Dr Glynn .
Three further deaths were also reported , bringing to four the number of fatalities in the past five days .
The deaths occurred in different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen as part of a trend .
Separately last night , it emerged that the Health Service Executive suspended testing for Covid-19 at food and meat processing plants due to capacity issues .
The plants have been among the most vulnerable settings in terms of the spread of coronavirus since it reached Irish shores .
There are four clusters at plants across the country , while more than 1,500 cases of the virus have been confirmed in such facilities .
HSE director of public health mid-west Dr Mai Mannix said the suspension was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed at the moment to deal with people with symptoms .
.
.
The decision to recommence Covid testing at food processing plants will also be taken at national level.
” Urging people in Dublin to limit contact , chairman of NPHET ’ s epidemiological modelling advisory group Prof Philip Nolansaid it is “ essential ” that further spread of the virus is prevented given the size of the capital ’ s population .
The disease is spreading because people are being unguarded with friends at home , even though they exercise caution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials gave no indication they are contemplating immediate further restrictions in Dublin but NPHET will review the epidemiological situation at its meeting on Thursday .
Cases have been identified in 54 schools since they returned 10 days ago , the briefing heard , but most involved transmission in the community , officials said .
In only one school has an additional case been identified so far .

The number of infections among older people has almost doubled. File photograph: The Irish Times
The number of Covid-19 cases in Dublin will double every 14 days unless the public makes urgent changes to behaviour, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has warned.
Public health officials are now warning people living in the capital to limit family gatherings as new figures reported a further 84 cases in the State, including 51 of them in Dublin.
The number of infections among older people has almost doubled. In the past fortnight, 89 people aged 75 years and over have contracted the disease, twice the level in the previous fortnight, a National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) briefing has heard.
“It remains within the hands of individuals, families and communities to stop this getting worse. From that perspective, household gatherings, Communion parties, christenings and other family events where multiple people are coming together – if at all possible they do need to be stopped for the next few weeks,” said Dr Glynn.
READ MORE
Three further deaths were also reported, bringing to four the number of fatalities in the past five days. The deaths occurred in different parts of the country and are not seen as part of a trend.
Vulnerable settings
Separately last night, it emerged that the Health Service Executive suspended testing for Covid-19 at food and meat processing plants due to capacity issues. The plants have been among the most vulnerable settings in terms of the spread of coronavirus since it reached Irish shores. There are four clusters at plants across the country, while more than 1,500 cases of the virus have been confirmed in such facilities.
HSE director of public health mid-west Dr Mai Mannix said the suspension was taken “because of the increased capacity needed at the moment to deal with people with symptoms . . . The decision to recommence Covid testing at food processing plants will also be taken at national level.”
Urging people in Dublin to limit contact, chairman of NPHET’s epidemiological modelling advisory group Prof Philip Nolansaid it is “essential” that further spread of the virus is prevented given the size of the capital’s population.
The disease is spreading because people are being unguarded with friends at home, even though they exercise caution with strangers, he suggested.
However, officials gave no indication they are contemplating immediate further restrictions in Dublin but NPHET will review the epidemiological situation at its meeting on Thursday.
Cases have been identified in 54 schools since they returned 10 days ago, the briefing heard, but most involved transmission in the community, officials said. In only one school has an additional case been identified so far.


theirishtimes--2020-09-11--CAO: Four things you need to know before accepting an offer

This afternoon at 2pm , thousands of college applicants will log into their individual CAO accounts online to see what third-level courses they are being offered .
We know that grades are up significantly this year , so expect this to translate into increased points for many programmes .
Unfortunately , this means many students will miss out on their first choice .
This will be very hard for the class of 2020 who have gone through so much – but even more so for deferred applicants .
About 20,000 applicants did the Leaving Cert last year or earlier .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have received an offer from the CAO in July or early August , many are hoping grade inflation will not send their course choices out of their reach .
Whatever your situation , there are few key things you should bear in mind when the offers are issued : 1 .
Do nothing – at first It might count counter-intuitive , but if you receive an offer this afternoon , the most important thing to do is to do nothing .
You have until 3pm next Wednesday , September 16th to accept your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first choice on your list of courses , then you will not receive any other offer , unless of course you amend your existing list by adding one of the “ available places ” listed on the CAO website .
If you receive an offer of one of your lower preference programme you may receive a higher course on your list if sufficient applicants don ’ t accept the place offered to them today .
But there is no certainty that this will happen .
2 .
If you want to defer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students will baulk at the prospect of a largely online delivery of their course in 2020-2021 , with very limited opportunity to participate in the clubs and societies , and normal social activities .
If many of those receiving offers today walk away or seek to defer their place until next year , then far more places than usual will be offered on lower CAO points in the second round of offers next week .
Those seeking a deferred place should write or email today to the registration office of the college making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek this option , it is expected that colleges will refuse to defer places , as to approve them would eat into the places available for next year ’ s applicants .
That will not block applicants walking away from their offer and taking their chances by applying to the CAO anew after the process opens for next year in November – but this is risky and nothing is guaranteed .
3 .
Do some last-minute research The most important thing every applicant who receives an offer today should do is to research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college ’ s website .
This research will ensure that you know exactly what it is you are signing up for .
This process may save you a lot of pain and expense if you accept the course and then drop out in the coming year .
4 .
Check out other options If you do not receive a suitable offer today , you have a wide range of options to move forward on your career journey .
Further Education programmes offered through your local ETB college might well secure you your dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places ” structure .
Details of all these links between CAO programmes and FE courses are on Careersportal.ie .

This afternoon at 2pm, thousands of college applicants will log into their individual CAO accounts online to see what third-level courses they are being offered.
We know that grades are up significantly this year, so expect this to translate into increased points for many programmes. Unfortunately, this means many students will miss out on their first choice.
This will be very hard for the class of 2020 who have gone through so much – but even more so for deferred applicants.
About 20,000 applicants did the Leaving Cert last year or earlier. While several thousand of these applicants may have received an offer from the CAO in July or early August, many are hoping grade inflation will not send their course choices out of their reach.
READ MORE
Whatever your situation, there are few key things you should bear in mind when the offers are issued:
1. Do nothing – at first
It might count counter-intuitive, but if you receive an offer this afternoon, the most important thing to do is to do nothing. You have until 3pm next Wednesday, September 16th to accept your offer online.
If you receive the first choice on your list of courses, then you will not receive any other offer, unless of course you amend your existing list by adding one of the “available places” listed on the CAO website.
If you receive an offer of one of your lower preference programme you may receive a higher course on your list if sufficient applicants don’t accept the place offered to them today. But there is no certainty that this will happen.
2. If you want to defer, act fast
Nobody knows how many potential students will baulk at the prospect of a largely online delivery of their course in 2020-2021, with very limited opportunity to participate in the clubs and societies, and normal social activities.
If many of those receiving offers today walk away or seek to defer their place until next year, then far more places than usual will be offered on lower CAO points in the second round of offers next week.
Those seeking a deferred place should write or email today to the registration office of the college making the offer. If too many applicants seek this option, it is expected that colleges will refuse to defer places, as to approve them would eat into the places available for next year’s applicants.
That will not block applicants walking away from their offer and taking their chances by applying to the CAO anew after the process opens for next year in November – but this is risky and nothing is guaranteed.
3. Do some last-minute research
The most important thing every applicant who receives an offer today should do is to research the programme on the Qualifax.ie or the college's website.
This research will ensure that you know exactly what it is you are signing up for.
This process may save you a lot of pain and expense if you accept the course and then drop out in the coming year.
4. Check out other options
If you do not receive a suitable offer today, you have a wide range of options to move forward on your career journey. Further Education programmes offered through your local ETB college might well secure you your dream course in 2021 through the "reserved places" structure.
Details of all these links between CAO programmes and FE courses are on Careersportal.ie.


theirishtimes--2020-09-11--CAO points set to climb significantly for most college courses

CAO points for entry into most college courses are set to increase significantly this year despite frantic efforts by the Government to ease upward pressure by creating thousands of extra third-level places .
Grade inflation in this year ’ s Leaving Cert results will see a record number of courses demand more than 600 points .
University sources said extra applications for high-demand courses are expected to translate into increases of 20 to 30 points for entry , with spikes of up to 50 or 60 points in extreme cases .
Some 51,000 students are set to receive college offers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
This is up about 4,000 from last year and represents one of the largest ever-intakes into higher education in the the State .
Sources say there has been a 7 per cent increase in CAO points for courses across the board .
This is higher than expected given that grade inflation , on average , was 4.4 per cent for students under the new calculated grades process introduced because of the Covid-19 pandemic .
It comes despite the addition of almost 5,000 additional college places which Minister for Higher Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-demand courses in medicine , nursing , post-primary education and science .
Points for many of these courses would have jumped higher were it not for additional places being created .
About 78 per cent of college applicants are understood to have received an offer from one of their top-three choices this year at honours degree or level eight courses .
This rises to above 90 per cent among students at ordinary degree or higher diploma , know as level six or seven courses .
The increase in CAO points across many courses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands who sat the Leaving Cert in previous years .
These deferred applicants are concerned that their results have been devalued due to grade inflation this year and that they will miss out on college places as a result .
The general trend in increased demand this year is for courses which offer clear career pathways such as health , business and environmental courses .
Demand for broader courses such as arts and humanities , in many cases , has remained steady or fallen .
Trinity College Dublin ’ s vice-provost , Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 180 additional places across a range of high-demand courses , an increase of around 5 per cent of its capacity .
UCD said it has increased its first year places for CAO applicants by 7 per cent in areas such as engineering , science , computer science and arts .

Sources say there has been a 7 per cent increase in CAO points for courses across the board
CAO points for entry into most college courses are set to increase significantly this year despite frantic efforts by the Government to ease upward pressure by creating thousands of extra third-level places.
Grade inflation in this year’s Leaving Cert results will see a record number of courses demand more than 600 points.
University sources said extra applications for high-demand courses are expected to translate into increases of 20 to 30 points for entry, with spikes of up to 50 or 60 points in extreme cases.
Some 51,000 students are set to receive college offers when they are issued online at 2pm on Friday. This is up about 4,000 from last year and represents one of the largest ever-intakes into higher education in the the State.
READ MORE
Sources say there has been a 7 per cent increase in CAO points for courses across the board. This is higher than expected given that grade inflation, on average, was 4.4 per cent for students under the new calculated grades process introduced because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It comes despite the addition of almost 5,000 additional college places which Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has said will be for high-demand courses in medicine, nursing, post-primary education and science.
Points for many of these courses would have jumped higher were it not for additional places being created.
Disappointment
About 78 per cent of college applicants are understood to have received an offer from one of their top-three choices this year at honours degree or level eight courses. This rises to above 90 per cent among students at ordinary degree or higher diploma, know as level six or seven courses.
The increase in CAO points across many courses will come as a bitter disappointment to thousands who sat the Leaving Cert in previous years. These deferred applicants are concerned that their results have been devalued due to grade inflation this year and that they will miss out on college places as a result.
The general trend in increased demand this year is for courses which offer clear career pathways such as health, business and environmental courses. Demand for broader courses such as arts and humanities, in many cases, has remained steady or fallen.
Trinity College Dublin’s vice-provost, Prof Jürgen Barkhoff, said it had created 180 additional places across a range of high-demand courses, an increase of around 5 per cent of its capacity. UCD said it has increased its first year places for CAO applicants by 7 per cent in areas such as engineering, science, computer science and arts.


theirishtimes--2020-09-11--Trinity approves pilot Covid-19 screening programme for students and staff

Trinity College Dublin has approved a pilot Covid-19 screening programme for students and staff living on its campus in the capital , which may be extended to the entire college if successful .
The testing programme was approved by the university , and will involve the regular screening of people living in rooms in the college or in Trinity Hall , its student accommodation centre in south Dublin .
In a letter sent to staff and students on Thursday , the university said the screening programme , along with a dedicated HSE testing centre to be established on campus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place in the month ahead of us ” .
While the HSE testing centre in TCD will be focused on those who are symptomatic , the screening programme is designed as a wider surveillance of the population in an effort to detect the disease before it becomes apparent .
“ This extra layer of testing , which is unique to Trinity , is likely to reveal any cluster of cases quickly and allow the college authorities to move quickly to protect others , ” the university wrote in its letter to students and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trinity is considering widespread testing programmes , possibly including self-testing booths on campus , in an effort to control Covid-19 as it prepares to reopen to students this month .
This pilot project , if successful , may be a precursor to a wider programme , students and staff were told .
TCD said the programme , which will be voluntary , is supported by scientific evidence which “ suggests that this limited testing of people living in close quarters will help to prevent outbreaks by alerting people who may have the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bergin , TCD ’ s clinical professor of medicine who also sits on the National Public Health Emergency Team , has said any screening programme should be an awareness initiative to ensure people do not think it negates the need to get tested if they become symptomatic .
The email to staff states that the screening programme “ should be regarded as an extra measure to prevent the spread of the virus ” .
“ It can never replace common sense and vigilance , ” it states .
While the exact details are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on a “ simple and non-invasive test ” and those testing positive will have a consultation with a GP to decide the next steps .
“ This programme will inform the national discussion on population-based screening and will support the continuation of activities in Trinity in a responsible , safe way while protecting our students and staff , ” the email states .

Trinity’s screening programme is designed as a wider surveillance of the population in an effort to detect the disease before it becomes apparent. Photograph: Alan Betson
Trinity College Dublin has approved a pilot Covid-19 screening programme for students and staff living on its campus in the capital, which may be extended to the entire college if successful.
The testing programme was approved by the university, and will involve the regular screening of people living in rooms in the college or in Trinity Hall, its student accommodation centre in south Dublin.
In a letter sent to staff and students on Thursday, the university said the screening programme, along with a dedicated HSE testing centre to be established on campus, “will make the college a safer place in the month ahead of us”.
While the HSE testing centre in TCD will be focused on those who are symptomatic, the screening programme is designed as a wider surveillance of the population in an effort to detect the disease before it becomes apparent.
READ MORE
“This extra layer of testing, which is unique to Trinity, is likely to reveal any cluster of cases quickly and allow the college authorities to move quickly to protect others,” the university wrote in its letter to students and staff.
It emerged last week that Trinity is considering widespread testing programmes, possibly including self-testing booths on campus, in an effort to control Covid-19 as it prepares to reopen to students this month.
This pilot project, if successful, may be a precursor to a wider programme, students and staff were told.
TCD said the programme, which will be voluntary, is supported by scientific evidence which “suggests that this limited testing of people living in close quarters will help to prevent outbreaks by alerting people who may have the virus but no symptoms”.
Awareness initiative
Prof Colm Bergin, TCD's clinical professor of medicine who also sits on the National Public Health Emergency Team, has said any screening programme should be an awareness initiative to ensure people do not think it negates the need to get tested if they become symptomatic.
The email to staff states that the screening programme “should be regarded as an extra measure to prevent the spread of the virus”.
“It can never replace common sense and vigilance,” it states.
While the exact details are still be decided, it will be based on a “simple and non-invasive test” and those testing positive will have a consultation with a GP to decide the next steps.
“This programme will inform the national discussion on population-based screening and will support the continuation of activities in Trinity in a responsible, safe way while protecting our students and staff,” the email states.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--Tensions within HSE over return of retirees for Covid-19 effort, says survey

An internal HSE survey has found nearly three-quarters of staff are satisfied with the HSE ’ s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic to date , with slightly less having confidence in their ability to manage it going forward .
Satisfaction rates vary between categories of worker , however , and the survey reveals tensions within the HSE over the return of retirees to bolster the Covid-19 effort .
Staff working in patient and client care ( PCC ) complained that such rehires were “ given significant positions of authority over existing competent staff , implying they can not do the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about their experience of working through the pandemic , with 73 per cent agreeing they were satisfied with the HSE ’ s approach to date , 12 per cent disagreeing and 15 per cent neutral .
Slightly less ( 68 per cent ) agreed they were satisfied with the HSE ’ s ability to manage the pandemic into the future .
About half ( 54 per cent ) said they had a more positive opinion of the HSE since the pandemic , 15 per cent were more negative towards it , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion .
The area within the HSE with the highest level of “ more positive ” opinion was in the corporate sector – 68 per cent .
At 20 per cent , those working in PCC , such as the ambulance service , health care assistants and home helps , were more likely to hold negative opinions of the HSE since the pandemic .
The HSE said the aim of the survey – carried out between July 16th and 31st – was to “ learn about health service staff experiences ” during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evolving needs .
In relation to rehires , the HSE said , of the 95 staff who were brought back from retirement “ to support the Covid-19 response ” , 61 were still working for it .

Satisfaction rates vary between categories of worker and a HSE survey reveals tensions over the return of retirees to bolster the Covid-19 effort. File photograph: Getty
An internal HSE survey has found nearly three-quarters of staff are satisfied with the HSE’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic to date, with slightly less having confidence in their ability to manage it going forward.
Satisfaction rates vary between categories of worker, however, and the survey reveals tensions within the HSE over the return of retirees to bolster the Covid-19 effort.
Staff working in patient and client care (PCC) complained that such rehires were “given significant positions of authority over existing competent staff, implying they cannot do the job”.
Some 7,057 staff answered questions about their experience of working through the pandemic, with 73 per cent agreeing they were satisfied with the HSE’s approach to date, 12 per cent disagreeing and 15 per cent neutral.
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Slightly less (68 per cent) agreed they were satisfied with the HSE’s ability to manage the pandemic into the future.
About half (54 per cent) said they had a more positive opinion of the HSE since the pandemic, 15 per cent were more negative towards it, while 31 per cent had not changed their opinion.
‘More positive’ opinion
The area within the HSE with the highest level of “more positive” opinion was in the corporate sector – 68 per cent.
At 20 per cent, those working in PCC, such as the ambulance service, health care assistants and home helps, were more likely to hold negative opinions of the HSE since the pandemic.
At 20 per cent, those working in patient and client care, such as the ambulance service, health care assistants and home helps, were more likely to hold negative opinions of the HSE since the pandemic. File photograph: Getty
The HSE said the aim of the survey – carried out between July 16th and 31st – was to “learn about health service staff experiences” during the pandemic, how they adapted, and evolving needs.
In relation to rehires, the HSE said, of the 95 staff who were brought back from retirement “to support the Covid-19 response”, 61 were still working for it.


theirishtimes--2020-09-10--CAO is not the only game in town

CAO is not the only game in town

So you didn ’ t get the course you want .
Or you ’ ve got the course you thought you wanted , but now you ’ ve changed your mind .
Perhaps you don ’ t really want to go to college in a time of such uncertainty and would rather hold off and see if you can ride out the pandemic – particularly given the social side of third level will be restricted for at least a semester or even the full year .
Maybe you never really wanted to go to college in the first place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t the only game in town – and never has been .
We spoke to some experts about the alternatives to college .
Róisín O ’ Donohue is a member of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors and a graduate of DCU ’ s MSc in guidance counselling .
She is also a guidance counsellor at Belvedere College .
“ The options for the class of 2020 are very different , ” she says .
“ The advice differs because there is more uncertainty than there has been in the past and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , teachers and indeed guidance counsellors .
There are different challenges for students who miss out this year and , while the Government made the best decision they could in the circumstances , it was a change that students didn ’ t expect.
” “ Taking a ‘ gap year ’ to travel between school and college hasn ’ t really been a trend in Ireland , and is more associated with UK students ; Irish students have generally tended to do it after college , ” says O ’ Donohue .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pin in it .
There ’ s also more uncertainty about work as many of the jobs traditionally taken by students and young people – such as bars and restaurants , tourist and service industry jobs – might not be there anymore .
“ It ’ s difficult to predict , ” says O ’ Donohue .
“ Businesses have been really hard hit by the pandemic .
It ’ s still worth popping into places and asking about work , and hopefully we will see these jobs open up again as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option for students taking a year out .
“ This is generally short-term unpaid work experience .
Companies might still be interested in taking them on , so look at these as a way of helping to bolster your CV until a more full-time job comes along.
” Students can normally defer at the discretion of the third-level institution they are applying for .
Sometimes it ’ s to take a year out to work and save money in order to be able to defer college .
Students sometimes opt to defer because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stress of the exams .
This year , there ’ s a new reason : if college isn ’ t going to be as much fun this year , is it worth deferring ?
“ There is no guarantee that students will be able to defer , ” says O ’ Donohue .
“ If they do want to do this , they should contact the admissions office upon receiving a CAO offer instead of accepting it .
The college will ask them for the reasons they want to defer , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many they will allow .
They generally look for valid reasons such as illness or personal and financial circumstances : I ’ m not sure if college being perhaps less fun this year will be taken as a valid reason.
” If a student ’ s deferral application is allowed , students still have to make a CAO application the following year .
But – and this is crucial – they should only put down the course that has been held for them , because if they add any other course to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the points race .
If they are refused a deferral and decide to decline the place anyway , they can use their CAO from this year by ticking a box that they are applying using their points from 2021 .
But beware : points could go up or down next year.
” Traditionally , students who have their hearts set on a particular course – but who miss out on points – consider signing up to repeat sixth year , whether in their own school or in a specialised grinds school like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This year , students who don ’ t get the calculated grades they hoped for can opt to sit the written exam , whenever that happens ( at time of writing , a date of January 2021 was being kicked around , but it is subject to change depending on the public health situation ) .
Students will also be able to combine their calculated grades with the grades they get in the written exams , based on whichever grade for any given subject is higher .
So , is there any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The drawback to waiting for the written exam is that it puts a delay on starting college .
Nobody knows what the points will be for 2021 and whether a larger than usual number of students will turn down college places this year and perhaps seek a deferral or reapply next year .
We don ’ t know if students will be generally happy with the calculated grades system .
We don ’ t know if students will delay their application by a year or not and that will be telling for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We won ’ t really have an indication of any of this until a week after the results.
” Yvonne O ’ Toole , principal of the Institute of Education , which runs a repeat Leaving Cert year , says there are still good reasons for some students to repeat sixth year .
“ It ’ s not certain if the exams will go ahead in January or how open schools will be .
We don ’ t know how the points process will work or how the Department of Education will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll be fully open and students can get the entire timetable livestreamed and recorded – and they know that , no matter what happens , they will have a stabilised education for a year.
” The days of post-Leaving Cert courses being a fallback are over .
“ More and more , students are choosing the PLC as a foundation year , an alternative gap year or a transition into college , ” says O ’ Donohue .
“ Many of these are now pre-university courses , and there is a whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solid base for students who want to move into that degree , whether in arts , science , law , engineering , nursing or another area.
” PLCs were also traditionally a stepping stone to higher education but they can be a chance for students to really suss out what they ’ re interested in – or an end qualification in their own right , helping prepare graduates .
And there ’ s a body of evidence that students who do a foundation PLC year ultimately settle in better in college , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also an increasingly popular option , allowing students to earn and learn at the same time .
Most of these courses span from levels six to eight on the national framework of qualifications , with a level eight having the exact same status as an undergraduate degree from a third level like TU Dublin , IT Limerick or Trinity College .
The range of apprenticeships is impressive , with options such as aircraft mechanics , pipefitting , plumbing , plastering , carpentry and motor mechanics sitting alongside newer courses developed after 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ software developer and supply chain manager .
Classes usually take place in classrooms or online while students also learn on the job .
Traineeships , meanwhile , are shorter courses focused on developing particular skills that are needed by employers , so they have high employability .
Stephen Goulding is the principal at Kerry College of Further Education , Ireland ’ s “ first fully-integrated college of further education and training ” .
What exactly does this mean ?
“ We offer employment [ traineeship ] , progression [ primarily PLC courses ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same building , ” he explains .
“ We use these terms to give the learner a clearer sense of their pathways .
Our courses , across all four of our Kerry campuses , have minimal costs and the apprenticeships are paid .
For students who might not be sure of what they want to do , they can try a year of further education without having to commit to perhaps three or four years of higher education.
” All Kerry College ’ s courses , as with all further education courses nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And we want to give all our students the maximum quality educational experience possible.
” * For more information on the courses and opportunities provided by further education visit irishtimes.com/smartchoices

So you didn’t get the course you want. Or you’ve got the course you thought you wanted, but now you’ve changed your mind.
Perhaps you don’t really want to go to college in a time of such uncertainty and would rather hold off and see if you can ride out the pandemic – particularly given the social side of third level will be restricted for at least a semester or even the full year. Maybe you never really wanted to go to college in the first place.
Whatever your story, third level isn’t the only game in town – and never has been. We spoke to some experts about the alternatives to college.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 3 Talk to your parents and your school’s guidance counsellor and explore the options available to you. Photograph: iStock
Róisín O'Donohue is a member of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors and a graduate of DCU's MSc in guidance counselling. She is also a guidance counsellor at Belvedere College.
READ MORE
“The options for the class of 2020 are very different,” she says. “The advice differs because there is more uncertainty than there has been in the past and that is unsettling – for students, parents, teachers and indeed guidance counsellors. There are different challenges for students who miss out this year and, while the Government made the best decision they could in the circumstances, it was a change that students didn’t expect.”
Defer your course and work for the year instead may be an option for some. Photograph: iStock
Taking a year out
"Taking a 'gap year' to travel between school and college hasn't really been a trend in Ireland, and is more associated with UK students; Irish students have generally tended to do it after college," says O'Donohue. "But the pandemic has certainly put a pin in it.
There’s also more uncertainty about work as many of the jobs traditionally taken by students and young people – such as bars and restaurants, tourist and service industry jobs – might not be there anymore. “It’s difficult to predict,” says O’Donohue. “Businesses have been really hard hit by the pandemic. It’s still worth popping into places and asking about work, and hopefully we will see these jobs open up again as the economy recovers.”
Internships might be an option for students taking a year out. “This is generally short-term unpaid work experience. Companies might still be interested in taking them on, so look at these as a way of helping to bolster your CV until a more full-time job comes along.”
Defer
Students can normally defer at the discretion of the third-level institution they are applying for. Sometimes it’s to take a year out to work and save money in order to be able to defer college. Students sometimes opt to defer because they need a break from study after the stress of the exams. This year, there’s a new reason: if college isn’t going to be as much fun this year, is it worth deferring?
"There is no guarantee that students will be able to defer," says O'Donohue. "If they do want to do this, they should contact the admissions office upon receiving a CAO offer instead of accepting it. The college will ask them for the reasons they want to defer, and there could be a limit on how many they will allow. They generally look for valid reasons such as illness or personal and financial circumstances: I'm not sure if college being perhaps less fun this year will be taken as a valid reason."
If a student’s deferral application is allowed, students still have to make a CAO application the following year. But – and this is crucial – they should only put down the course that has been held for them, because if they add any other course to their form, they are putting themselves back into the points race. If they are refused a deferral and decide to decline the place anyway, they can use their CAO from this year by ticking a box that they are applying using their points from 2020. But beware: points could go up or down next year.”
Some students may repeat the Leaving Cert. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Repeat the Leaving Cert
Traditionally, students who have their hearts set on a particular course – but who miss out on points – consider signing up to repeat sixth year, whether in their own school or in a specialised grinds school like the Institute of Education in Dublin 2.
This year, students who don’t get the calculated grades they hoped for can opt to sit the written exams which begin on November 16th. Students will also be able to combine their calculated grades with the grades they get in the written exams, based on whichever grade for any given subject is higher. So, is there any point in repeating this year?
“The drawback to waiting for the written exam is that it puts a delay on starting college. Nobody knows what the points will be for 2021 and whether a larger than usual number of students will turn down college places this year and perhaps seek a deferral or reapply next year. We don’t know if students will be generally happy with the calculated grades system. We don’t know if students will delay their application by a year or not and that will be telling for the points that we might see in 2021. We won’t really have an indication of any of this until a week after the results.”
Yvonne O’Toole, principal of the Institute of Education, which runs a repeat Leaving Cert year, says there are still good reasons for some students to repeat sixth year. “We don’t know how the points process will work or how the Department of Education will work out the standardisation process. We’ll be fully open and students can get the entire timetable livestreamed and recorded – and they know that, no matter what happens, they will have a stabilised education for a year.”
Talk to your parents and your school’s guidance counsellor and explore the options available to you. Photograph: iStock
Further education and training
The days of post-Leaving Cert courses being a fallback are over. “More and more, students are choosing the PLC as a foundation year, an alternative gap year or a transition into college,” says O’Donohue. “Many of these are now pre-university courses, and there is a whole range of them that act as a solid base for students who want to move into that degree, whether in arts, science, law, engineering, nursing or another area.”
PLCs were also traditionally a stepping stone to higher education but they can be a chance for students to really suss out what they’re interested in – or an end qualification in their own right, helping prepare graduates . And there’s a body of evidence that students who do a foundation PLC year ultimately settle in better in college, both academically, socially and personally.
Apprenticeships are also an increasingly popular option, allowing students to earn and learn at the same time. Most of these courses span from levels six to eight on the national framework of qualifications, with a level eight having the exact same status as an undergraduate degree from a third level like TU Dublin, IT Limerick or Trinity College. The range of apprenticeships is impressive, with options such as aircraft mechanics, pipefitting, plumbing, plastering, carpentry and motor mechanics sitting alongside newer courses developed after 2016 such as accounting technician, auctioneering, software developer and supply chain manager. Classes usually take place in classrooms or online while students also learn on the job.
Traineeships, meanwhile, are shorter courses focused on developing particular skills that are needed by employers, so they have high employability.
Stephen Goulding is the principal at Kerry College of Further Education, Ireland's "first fully-integrated college of further education and training". What exactly does this mean?
“We offer employment [traineeship], progression [primarily PLC courses] and apprenticeships, all run from the same building,” he explains. “We use these terms to give the learner a clearer sense of their pathways. Our courses, across all four of our Kerry campuses, have minimal costs and the apprenticeships are paid. For students who might not be sure of what they want to do, they can try a year of further education without having to commit to perhaps three or four years of higher education.”
All Kerry College’s courses, as with all further education courses nationwide, will combine onsite and blended learning. “And we want to give all our students the maximum quality educational experience possible.”
* For more information on the courses and opportunities provided by further education visit irishtimes.com/smartchoices