theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Bridge notes: Remembering the late George Ryan

The death has occurred in Westport , Co Mayo of George Ryan , bridge correspondent for The Irish Times from 1970 to 2014 .
Tributes were led by Neil Burke , president of the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland ( CBAI ) , who said : “ It is with great sadness that I note his passing .
An early influence on all of us , his little yellow book , The Bones of Bridge , was the start of many people ’ s involvement in the game.
” The book , written in 1966 , remains the all-time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CBAI chief executive Paul Porteous referred to the immense contribution Ryan made to the game for more than 60 years , especially the meticulousness of his reporting .
In 2014 he was honoured by the national association with an award for his life-long service to the game .
Both Porteous and Una Walsh , editor of The Irish Bridge Journal remember his encyclopedic knowledge of the game , a walking “ who ’ s who ” of bridge to whom all those involved were family .
Walsh acknowledged his encouragement and help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ryan taught bridge for a number of years .
Máire O ’ Keeffe , currently one of Ireland ’ s leading teachers , recalled how he instilled a love of the game in his students .
“ It was a joy to attend his classes , ” she said .
“ We could not wait until we got out to compete.
” Many of his pupils became top-level players , including the late Denis Dillon whose talent and potential as a player Ryan recognised when they were both primary-school teachers in Tullamore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband to take up the game .
She remembers “ hours of post-bridge discussion ” with Ryan , the master , instructing and entertaining .
The Dillons went on to win European Union silver medals .
Anne ’ s brother Pat Barry and his wife Maria , friends and rivals of Ryan , recalled happy after-bridge hours in his company .
“ He was a very good player ; he should have won more majors than he did ” – high praise from two of the best of his contemporaries .
“ Away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun loving , ” they added .
Ryan won a number of national trophies including the Moylan ( all-Ireland pairs ) ; Revington ( men ’ s pairs ) ; Spiro ( mixed pairs ) ; Lambert ( confined pairs ) ; Holmes Wilson ( open teams ) and Burke ( inter-county teams ) .
George Ryan wrote four novels one of which , No Time for Work was included in Des Kenny ’ s 2008 publication , 101 Irish Books You MUST Read .

George Ryan, Irish Times bridge correspondent at the launch of his novel Vexed at his own Funeral in Dublin in 1983. Photograph: Kevin McMahon
The death has occurred in Westport, Co Mayo of George Ryan, bridge correspondent for The Irish Times from 1970 to 2014.
Tributes were led by Neil Burke, president of the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland (CBAI), who said: “It is with great sadness that I note his passing. An early influence on all of us, his little yellow book, The Bones of Bridge, was the start of many people’s involvement in the game.”
The book, written in 1966, remains the all-time, best-selling bridge book by an Irish author. CBAI chief executive Paul Porteous referred to the immense contribution Ryan made to the game for more than 60 years, especially the meticulousness of his reporting.
In 2014 he was honoured by the national association with an award for his life-long service to the game. Both Porteous and Una Walsh, editor of The Irish Bridge Journal remember his encyclopedic knowledge of the game, a walking “who’s who” of bridge to whom all those involved were family. Walsh acknowledged his encouragement and help when the magazine was launched in 1979.
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Ryan taught bridge for a number of years. Máire O’Keeffe, currently one of Ireland’s leading teachers, recalled how he instilled a love of the game in his students. “It was a joy to attend his classes,” she said. “We could not wait until we got out to compete.”
Many of his pupils became top-level players, including the late Denis Dillon whose talent and potential as a player Ryan recognised when they were both primary-school teachers in Tullamore. Anne Dillon recalls Ryan persuading her husband to take up the game. She remembers “hours of post-bridge discussion” with Ryan, the master, instructing and entertaining. The Dillons went on to win European Union silver medals. Anne’s brother Pat Barry and his wife Maria, friends and rivals of Ryan, recalled happy after-bridge hours in his company. “He was a very good player; he should have won more majors than he did” – high praise from two of the best of his contemporaries.
“Away from the table he was interesting and fun loving,” they added. Ryan won a number of national trophies including the Moylan (all-Ireland pairs); Revington (men’s pairs); Spiro (mixed pairs); Lambert (confined pairs); Holmes Wilson (open teams) and Burke (inter-county teams).
George Ryan wrote four novels one of which, No Time for Work was included in Des Kenny’s 2008 publication, 101 Irish Books You MUST Read.


theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Border county spike unlikely to be ‘spillover’ from North

A sharp rise in the incidence of Covid-19 in counties near the Border is unlikely to be due to a “ spillover ” of infection from Northern Ireland , chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has said .
However , Northern Ireland public health doctor Dr Gabriel Scally on Monday called for an urgent investigation of virus “ hot spots ” in Border counties and said a spillover of cases was “ the most likely explanation ” for the trend .
The incidence of Covid-19 has soared by up to 820 per cent in northeastern counties bordering the North in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has passed out Dublin as the county with the most cases relative to population .
Dr Scally that while no conclusions should be drawn from the raw trend , it needed to be investigated “ as a matter of urgency ” , preferably within the framework of the Covid-19 memorandum of understanding between departments of health north and south .
“ These increases are unlikely to have arisen by chance and the most reasonable explanation has to be the fact they are Border counties , ” Dr Scally told The Irish Times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ case numbers and deaths in the Republic and Northern Ireland , Dr Scally said he believed the incidence of the disease in the North was higher .
It was “ almost impossible find out what is going on ” in the North as data was “ very limited ” , he added .
But Dr Holohan insisted the experience of the disease across the island was similar “ in broad terms ” and he did not believe there had been any spillover from the North into the Republic .
He said he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different counties were significant .
“ This is a disease and you get regional concentrations , ” he commented .
There was “ no case ” for a regional approach to restrictions , he added .
Asked if he was comfortable that , due to a legal loophole , no travel restrictions could be applied to northerners travelling to holiday homes in the Republic this coming weekend , Dr Holohan said he wanted measures to restrict the virus operating consistently across the island .
Border TDs have called for the legislation imposing restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they apply to everyone , including day visitors from outside the State .
The deaths of another 18 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) at its briefing on Monday , the lowest daily death toll in more than two weeks .
There have now been 1,102 Covid-19-related deaths in the Republic .
NPHET also reported 386 new confirmed cases .
The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 19,648 .
Dr Holohan said it was “ down to the wire ” as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are due to run out on May 5th or would be rolled over .
He told the NPHET briefing he was “ more firmly of the view ” against recommending an easing of restriction than he had been last week due to factors such as the continued , though small , increase in admission of patients to ICU , the number of cases overall and the continued challenge posed by outbreaks in care settings .
There was “ still a way to go ” and further progress was needed , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they ’ re still big numbers , ” he said , pointing out that half of the standing ICU capacity was being used .
The number of people seeking testing for coronavirus is expected to rise again when the case definition applied for GPs referring patients is changed on Tuesday .
Under the change , healthcare workers and other at-risk groups with one of the major symptoms – fever , cough or shortness of breath – will be tested , rather than requiring two symptoms as at present .
NPHET is due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to finalise its recommendations to Government on whether the recommendations should be changed after May 5th .

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan: insists the experience of coronavirus disease across the island is similar and does not believe there has been any spillover from the North. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
A sharp rise in the incidence of Covid-19 in counties near the Border is unlikely to be due to a "spillover" of infection from Northern Ireland, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has said.
However, Northern Ireland public health doctor Dr Gabriel Scally on Monday called for an urgent investigation of virus "hot spots" in Border counties and said a spillover of cases was "the most likely explanation" for the trend.
The incidence of Covid-19 has soared by up to 820 per cent in northeastern counties bordering the North in the past three weeks, and Cavan has passed out Dublin as the county with the most cases relative to population.
Dr Scally that while no conclusions should be drawn from the raw trend, it needed to be investigated “as a matter of urgency”, preferably within the framework of the Covid-19 memorandum of understanding between departments of health north and south.
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“These increases are unlikely to have arisen by chance and the most reasonable explanation has to be the fact they are Border counties,” Dr Scally told The Irish Times.
Although official figures point to broadly similar case numbers and deaths in the Republic and Northern Ireland, Dr Scally said he believed the incidence of the disease in the North was higher. It was “almost impossible find out what is going on” in the North as data was “very limited”, he added.
But Dr Holohan insisted the experience of the disease across the island was similar “in broad terms” and he did not believe there had been any spillover from the North into the Republic.
‘Regional concentrations’
He said he did not believe the variations in incidence across different counties were significant. “This is a disease and you get regional concentrations,” he commented.
There was “no case” for a regional approach to restrictions, he added.
Asked if he was comfortable that, due to a legal loophole, no travel restrictions could be applied to northerners travelling to holiday homes in the Republic this coming weekend, Dr Holohan said he wanted measures to restrict the virus operating consistently across the island.
Border TDs have called for the legislation imposing restrictions on movement to be amended to ensure they apply to everyone, including day visitors from outside the State.
The deaths of another 18 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) at its briefing on Monday, the lowest daily death toll in more than two weeks. There have now been 1,102 Covid-19-related deaths in the Republic.
NPHET also reported 386 new confirmed cases. The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 19,648.
Outbreaks challenge
Dr Holohan said it was “down to the wire” as to whether restrictions would be eased after they are due to run out on May 5th or would be rolled over.
He told the NPHET briefing he was “more firmly of the view” against recommending an easing of restriction than he had been last week due to factors such as the continued, though small, increase in admission of patients to ICU, the number of cases overall and the continued challenge posed by outbreaks in care settings.
There was “still a way to go” and further progress was needed, he said.
“While the numbers have improved, they’re still big numbers,” he said, pointing out that half of the standing ICU capacity was being used.
The number of people seeking testing for coronavirus is expected to rise again when the case definition applied for GPs referring patients is changed on Tuesday. Under the change, healthcare workers and other at-risk groups with one of the major symptoms – fever, cough or shortness of breath – will be tested, rather than requiring two symptoms as at present.
NPHET is due to meet on Tuesday and on Friday to finalise its recommendations to Government on whether the recommendations should be changed after May 5th.


theirishtimes--2020-04-28--Concerns raised about ‘inappropriate’ armed gardaí in Covid-19 operations

Concerns have been raised about the “ wholly inappropriate ” use of armed gardaí at Covid-19 checkpoints .
In a letter sent to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Monday afternoon , the Irish Council for Civil Liberties ( ICCL ) said it had received reports from different parts of the country complaining about gardaí manning checkpoints while carrying firearms .
One of the reports referenced by the ICCL referred to a photograph , posted on social media by Iarnród Éireann , of detectives at Heuston Station apparently checking for breaches of the movement restrictions while carrying handguns in their holsters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature of these specific Garda operations , and the stated emphasis on encouraging compliance with the regulations , ICCL considers the participation of armed gardaí in such operations as wholly inappropriate , ” executive director Liam Herrick said before requesting further information on the use of armed members .
It was one of a number of issues raised by Mr Herrick in relation to policing during the pandemic .
He said members of the public have raised concerns that gardaí are not practising appropriate social distancing at checkpoints , which “ may give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the community ” .
He also asked if Garda policy on the user of pepper spray had been amended given the fact that Covid-19 specifically impacts the respiratory system .
There have also been complaints that gardaí on Covid-19 checkpoints in urban areas are engaging in “ stop-and-search operations ” against the public “ including of shopping bags ” .
The ICCL said there must be a clear distinction between normal policing operations and the enforcement of the Covid-19 restrictions .
It also raised concerns about the use of the riot gardaí @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which it said was perceived as “ intimidatory ” .
Members of the public have complained about the Garda ’ s interpretation of non-essential travel , the ICCL said .
It called on the commissioner to clarify that it is not the Garda ’ s role to determine which grocery store can be used by a person or to determine which items are considered an essential purchase if they are bought from an essential business .
Mr Herrick also questioned Mr Harris about the apparent discrepancies in the Garda ’ s approach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers were prevented from protesting in Dublin while fishermen in Dingle and a group in the Four Courts were permitted to demonstrate .

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris: policing during the pandemic has been criticised by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. Photograph: Alan Betson
Concerns have been raised about the “wholly inappropriate” use of armed gardaí at Covid-19 checkpoints.
In a letter sent to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Monday afternoon, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) said it had received reports from different parts of the country complaining about gardaí manning checkpoints while carrying firearms.
One of the reports referenced by the ICCL referred to a photograph, posted on social media by Iarnród Éireann, of detectives at Heuston Station apparently checking for breaches of the movement restrictions while carrying handguns in their holsters.
"Given the exceptional public health nature of these specific Garda operations, and the stated emphasis on encouraging compliance with the regulations, ICCL considers the participation of armed gardaí in such operations as wholly inappropriate," executive director Liam Herrick said before requesting further information on the use of armed members.
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Pandemic policing
It was one of a number of issues raised by Mr Herrick in relation to policing during the pandemic.
He said members of the public have raised concerns that gardaí are not practising appropriate social distancing at checkpoints, which “may give rise of safety concerns for both gardaí and the community”.
He also asked if Garda policy on the user of pepper spray had been amended given the fact that Covid-19 specifically impacts the respiratory system.
There have also been complaints that gardaí on Covid-19 checkpoints in urban areas are engaging in “stop-and-search operations”against the public “including of shopping bags”.
The ICCL said there must be a clear distinction between normal policing operations and the enforcement of the Covid-19 restrictions.
‘Intimidatory’ elements
It also raised concerns about the use of the riot gardaí in Co Wicklow to support Covid-19 operations which it said was perceived as "intimidatory".
Members of the public have complained about the Garda’s interpretation of non-essential travel, the ICCL said. It called on the commissioner to clarify that it is not the Garda’s role to determine which grocery store can be used by a person or to determine which items are considered an essential purchase if they are bought from an essential business.
Mr Herrick also questioned Mr Harris about the apparent discrepancies in the Garda's approach to peaceful protests. It noted former Debenhams workers were prevented from protesting in Dublin while fishermen in Dingle and a group in the Four Courts were permitted to demonstrate.


theirishtimes--2020-04-27--Good weather lures jet-skiers back onto water, finds Coast Guard

People have been finding it difficult to stay away from their boats and jet skis during the good weather , despite the coronavirus lockdown , according to sightings of marine activity on the State ’ s coastal and inland waterways .
On Saturday evening , Achill Island Lifeboat was informed that three men jet skiing in Clew Bay , Co Mayo , had run into difficulty .
The RNLI said it was tasked by the Irish Coast Guard at 9.35pm to assist in taking the jet skiers from the water between Newport and Rosmoney .
The waters are considered dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with numerous sandbars and shallows in the bay .
The lifeboat crew worked hard to maintain social distancing as best as possible during the operation , which also involved the Garda and Coast Guard .
All three men were ultimately towed to Rosmoney Pier by the local owner of a rigid inflatable boat .
The lifeboat returned to its moorings , after refuelling , at 11.35pm , the Garda said .
In Lough Derg , gardaí confirmed the Garda Water Unit engaged with inland waterways users while on patrol on the lake , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Killaloe , at the weekend .
The Garda Press Office said gardaí had been in the Terryglass area and had engaged with boat owners , but that “ no issues have been reported ” .
The engagement followed the sighting of sail boats in the vicinity of Garrykennedy at the southern shore of the Lough , roughly midway between Dromineer , Co Tipperary , and Mountshannon , Co Clare .
Photographs of the sail boats were circulated on social media .
There were also reports of a motor cruiser on the lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Further comment on social media related to reports of a motor cruiser sighted on the north Shannon , north of Carrick-on-Shannon , in Co Leitrim .
The Garda said it has adopted “ a graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent .
This has seen Garda members engage , educate , encourage and , as a last resort , enforce .
”

On Saturday evening, Achill Island Lifeboat was informed that three men jet skiing in Clew Bay, Co Mayo, had run into difficulty. File photograph: Getty
People have been finding it difficult to stay away from their boats and jet skis during the good weather, despite the coronavirus lockdown, according to sightings of marine activity on the State’s coastal and inland waterways.
On Saturday evening, Achill Island Lifeboat was informed that three men jet skiing in Clew Bay, Co Mayo, had run into difficulty.
The RNLI said it was tasked by the Irish Coast Guard at 9.35pm to assist in taking the jet skiers from the water between Newport and Rosmoney.
The waters are considered dangerous for even the most experienced mariners, with numerous sandbars and shallows in the bay.
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The lifeboat crew worked hard to maintain social distancing as best as possible during the operation, which also involved the Garda and Coast Guard.
All three men were ultimately towed to Rosmoney Pier by the local owner of a rigid inflatable boat.
The lifeboat returned to its moorings, after refuelling, at 11.35pm, the Garda said.
In Lough Derg, gardaí confirmed the Garda Water Unit engaged with inland waterways users while on patrol on the lake, which lies on the Shannon Navigation north of Killaloe, at the weekend. The Garda Press Office said gardaí had been in the Terryglass area and had engaged with boat owners, but that “no issues have been reported”.
The engagement followed the sighting of sail boats in the vicinity of Garrykennedy at the southern shore of the Lough, roughly midway between Dromineer, Co Tipperary, and Mountshannon, Co Clare. Photographs of the sail boats were circulated on social media.
There were also reports of a motor cruiser on the lake in the Portumna area of east Galway. Further comment on social media related to reports of a motor cruiser sighted on the north Shannon, north of Carrick-on-Shannon, in Co Leitrim.
The Garda said it has adopted “a graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent. This has seen Garda members engage, educate, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-27--‘Cocooning’ and mental health: Over 16,000 calls to Alone support line

More than 16,000 phone calls have been made to a support line for older people launched in March as concerns mount over the mental health effects of “ cocooning ” during the Covid-19 lockdown .
Alone , which operates the service , said it is concerned about the mental wellbeing of many callers and appealed for a national strategy to combat loneliness .
As part of stricter social restrictions introduced to inhibit the spread of the virus , those aged over 70 have been requested not to leave their homes , a move that has led to many being cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that of those who contacted its service , over 70 per cent live on their own .
In the past 10 days , it said , 62 per cent of practical support requests were in relation to social isolation and loneliness .
As recently reported , Alone has also seen a “ huge increase ” in the number of those with suicidal ideation – calls have increased from just a few a week to as many as four per day .
“ We are encouraging any older person who is struggling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get in touch with us , ” said chief executive Seán Moynihan .
“ For many , these difficulties are directly linked to the impact of Covid-19 and cocooning .
Loneliness is a common issue , and long-term we need a strategy to combat loneliness across all age groups.
” Aside from its national helpline , run in collaboration with the Department of Health , HSE and local authorities , Alone staff have also made almost 47,000 phone calls to older people requiring support .
Alone has pointed to research published by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) last year that showed loneliness has a negative impact on mental and physical health , and is most prevalent among over-75s .
However , there may be some hope in the coming weeks as speculation builds that the Government could change the rules around those “ cocooning ” so they can go outside for walks and possibly shop in supermarkets during restricted hours .
The Government ’ s request for people to remain in their homes during the pandemic , while generally supported by the public , has had other consequences .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise in domestic violence calls , up 30 per cent in some areas .

“We are encouraging any older person who is struggling with their mental wellbeing at this time to get in touch with us,” said Alone chief executive Seán Moynihan. File photograph: Getty
More than 16,000 phone calls have been made to a support line for older people launched in March as concerns mount over the mental health effects of “cocooning” during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Alone, which operates the service, said it is concerned about the mental wellbeing of many callers and appealed for a national strategy to combat loneliness.
As part of stricter social restrictions introduced to inhibit the spread of the virus, those aged over 70 have been requested not to leave their homes, a move that has led to many being cut off from normal contact.
The charity said that of those who contacted its service, over 70 per cent live on their own.
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In the past 10 days, it said, 62 per cent of practical support requests were in relation to social isolation and loneliness.
As recently reported, Alone has also seen a “huge increase” in the number of those with suicidal ideation – calls have increased from just a few a week to as many as four per day.
“We are encouraging any older person who is struggling with their mental wellbeing at this time to get in touch with us,” said chief executive Seán Moynihan.
‘A common issue’
“For many, these difficulties are directly linked to the impact of Covid-19 and cocooning. Loneliness is a common issue, and long-term we need a strategy to combat loneliness across all age groups.”
Aside from its national helpline, run in collaboration with the Department of Health, HSE and local authorities, Alone staff have also made almost 47,000 phone calls to older people requiring support.
Alone has pointed to research published by the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (Tilda) last year that showed loneliness has a negative impact on mental and physical health, and is most prevalent among over-75s.
However, there may be some hope in the coming weeks as speculation builds that the Government could change the rules around those “cocooning” so they can go outside for walks and possibly shop in supermarkets during restricted hours.
The Government’s request for people to remain in their homes during the pandemic, while generally supported by the public, has had other consequences. For instance, gardaí have reported a rise in domestic violence calls, up 30 per cent in some areas.


theirishtimes--2020-04-27--Short-term costs drive ‘storing up’ problems for PSNI

The focus on short-term cost reductions means the PSNI “ storing up problems for the future ” , the Northern Ireland Audit Office has warned in a new report .
The office referred to how the PSNI has been operating on a significantly reduced budget in recent years .
It noted how over the period 2010-11 to 2019-20 , PSNI funding dropped by “ more than £200 million in real terms , while demand has increased and the nature of crime has changed significantly ” .
“ If the PSNI is to continue to manage in these circumstances , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reducing costs , ” the report warned .
The audit office said the PSNI ’ s main focus has been to reduce expenditure by decreasing the size of the workforce .
The number of police officers fell from 7,195 to 6,660 , while police staff numbers fell from 2,400 to 2,260 between April 2011 and April 2019 .
“ This presents a number of risks to long-term sustainability , ” the office warned .
In February the PSNI launched a campaign to recruit 600 new student officers .
Allowing for retirements and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive will bring the number of police to about 6,900 .
PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne ultimately wants to increase numbers to 7,500 , but this will require significant added funding , police sources have said .
The New Deal , New Approach January deal that restored the Northern Executive and Assembly pledged that policing numbers would be increased to 7,500 .
Head of the audit office , the North ’ s comptroller and auditor general Kieran Donnelly , said that “ despite significant cuts , a reducing headcount and increasing demands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PSNI have remained stable ” .
“ However , the focus on short-term cost reductions means that it has been storing up problems for the future , ” said Mr Donnelly .
He added : “ Staff absence is at an all-time high and there is a backlog of building maintenance which will need £27 million ( €30.99 million ) to deal with .
It is essential that the PSNI manages its budget in a long-term strategic way to address the issues that have been created as a result of top-slicing budgets over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referred to how the PSNI introduced a methodology called priority-based resourcing in a bid to manage costs , but that it did not deliver the anticipated strategic change and that “ the focus turned very quickly to reducing headcount ” .
The audit report also found that the approach to managing short-term financial pressures had unintended consequences , such as a reduction in neighbourhood policing .
Moreover , the average number of working days lost as a result of sickness absence increased from eight days in 2010-11 to 14 days in 2018-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and adjusted duties also more than doubled over the same period , from 6 per cent in 2010-11 to 13 per cent in 2018-19 .
The report warned that “ high levels of sickness absence , increasing levels of demand and the emerging concerns over officer wellbeing are all issues which present significant risks to the future resilience of policing ” .
The PSNI deputy chief constable Mark Hamilton , in accepting the report ’ s findings and recommendations , adverted to how the audit office acknowledged that the PSNI suffered more severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK .
He said that in the interim , the number of neighbourhood officers has “ radically increased ” .
Added Mr Hamilton , “ We are not complacent .
The need to drive further efficiencies remains and PSNI will actively seek to incorporate the recommendations in the report to ensure an improvement in our approach and that our next efficiency programme demonstrably delivers value for money.
” The chairman of the North ’ s Policing Board , Doug Garrett , said a new PSNI chief operating officer is to be appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business modernisation and bring focus to achieving value for money in resource utilisation ” .

PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne ultimately wants to increase numbers to 7,500, but this will require significant added funding, police sources have said. File photograph: PA Wire
The focus on short-term cost reductions means the PSNI "storing up problems for the future", the Northern Ireland Audit Office has warned in a new report.
The office referred to how the PSNI has been operating on a significantly reduced budget in recent years.
It noted how over the period 2010-11 to 2019-20, PSNI funding dropped by “more than £200 million in real terms, while demand has increased and the nature of crime has changed significantly”.
“If the PSNI is to continue to manage in these circumstances, it has to adopt a more strategic approach to reducing costs,” the report warned.
READ MORE
The audit office said the PSNI’s main focus has been to reduce expenditure by decreasing the size of the workforce. The number of police officers fell from 7,195 to 6,660, while police staff numbers fell from 2,400 to 2,260 between April 2011 and April 2019.
“This presents a number of risks to long-term sustainability,” the office warned.
Recruitment drive
In February the PSNI launched a campaign to recruit 600 new student officers. Allowing for retirements and other turnover of staff, the recruitment drive will bring the number of police to about 6,900.
PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne ultimately wants to increase numbers to 7,500, but this will require significant added funding, police sources have said.
The New Deal, New Approach January deal that restored the Northern Executive and Assembly pledged that policing numbers would be increased to 7,500.
Head of the audit office, the North's comptroller and auditor general Kieran Donnelly, said that "despite significant cuts, a reducing headcount and increasing demands, crime outcome rates and confidence in the PSNI have remained stable".
“However, the focus on short-term cost reductions means that it has been storing up problems for the future,” said Mr Donnelly.
He added: “Staff absence is at an all-time high and there is a backlog of building maintenance which will need £27 million (€30.99 million) to deal with. It is essential that the PSNI manages its budget in a long-term strategic way to address the issues that have been created as a result of top-slicing budgets over the last nine years.”
The report referred to how the PSNI introduced a methodology called priority-based resourcing in a bid to manage costs, but that it did not deliver the anticipated strategic change and that “the focus turned very quickly to reducing headcount”.
The audit report also found that the approach to managing short-term financial pressures had unintended consequences, such as a reduction in neighbourhood policing. Moreover, the average number of working days lost as a result of sickness absence increased from eight days in 2010-11 to 14 days in 2018-19. The number of PSNI officers on recuperative and adjusted duties also more than doubled over the same period, from 6 per cent in 2010-11 to 13 per cent in 2018-19.
The report warned that “high levels of sickness absence, increasing levels of demand and the emerging concerns over officer wellbeing are all issues which present significant risks to the future resilience of policing”.
The PSNI deputy chief constable Mark Hamilton, in accepting the report's findings and recommendations, adverted to how the audit office acknowledged that the PSNI suffered more severe budget cuts than other police services in the UK.
‘Radically increased’
He said that in the interim, the number of neighbourhood officers has “radically increased”.
Added Mr Hamilton, “We are not complacent. The need to drive further efficiencies remains and PSNI will actively seek to incorporate the recommendations in the report to ensure an improvement in our approach and that our next efficiency programme demonstrably delivers value for money.”
The chairman of the North's Policing Board, Doug Garrett, said a new PSNI chief operating officer is to be appointed "to drive forward strategic change, business modernisation and bring focus to achieving value for money in resource utilisation".


theirishtimes--2020-04-27--Over-prescription of tablets helping to drive illicit street trade

Over-prescribing of drugs by doctors is helping to drive an increase in the illicit sale of “ street tablets ” which has griped Ireland in recent years , according to a new study .
The number of people becoming addicted to drugs such as benzodiazepines and pregabalin , and the number dying of overdoses after taking them , has increased dramatically in recent years , research conducted by University College Cork , the Ana Liffey Drugs Project and the Health Research Board shows .
In the case of pregabalin , a drug used to treat a wide range of ailments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths increased from 14 in 2013 to 65 in 2016 , a 364 per cent rise .
Health authorities only started testing for the presence of the drug postmortem in 2013 .
There have also been significant increases in non-fatal overdoses involving other street tablets such as benzodiazepines and “ z-drugs ” , which are used to treat insomnia .
Researchers concluded the increase in illicit street tablet use is being facilitated by three sources ; organised crime , online “ pharmacies ” and over-prescription of the drugs by doctors .
Over-prescribing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the street , the research found .
The number of fatal overdoses involving pregabalin is “ strongly correlated ” with the increase in prescriptions for the drug .
A robust electronic prescribing system could help stop “ leakage ” of prescribed drugs onto the street .
It could also help prevent so-called “ doctor shopping ” , the practice of visiting multiple doctors to get prescriptions .
However , researchers also warned that more stringent controls on prescriptions could inadvertently cause people to resort to buying drugs on the street .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harms from tablet use , there is a need to understand and be effective in addressing why individuals are using tablets in the first place ... ” There is also evidence to show organised crime gangs are importing increasing amounts of street tablets into the country and , in some cases , manufacturing the drugs themselves .
Premade tablets usually come from India and Pakistan .
In 2018 , seizures of drugs such zopiclone , zolpidem and benzodiazepines in powder form indicated gangs were also using specialised equipment to make the tablets here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when found in Ireland , have tended to be slow and old compared with those found elsewhere in Europe , ” the report stated .
Increasing numbers of individuals are also purchasing street tablets from online pharmacies which are typically based outside of Ireland , are unregulated and do not require prescriptions .
These websites are typically located on the “ surface web ” rather than the “ dark web ” , meaning users require a minimum of computer knowledge to access them .
“ Taking into account this improved technological form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people are using street tablets in higher amounts , resulting in higher demand.
” These drugs are shipped into Ireland by post and sometimes sold on again over social media .
The relatively small quantities involved in individual purchases makes their detection very difficult for the authorities .
The researchers suggested a range of measures to combat the street drug trade including the possibility of providing addicts with “ prescribed tablets of a known purity in order that they do not access the street tablet market .
”

Researchers concluded the increase in illicit street tablet use is being facilitated by three sources; organised crime, online “pharmacies” and over-prescription of the drugs by doctors. File photograph: Getty
Over-prescribing of drugs by doctors is helping to drive an increase in the illicit sale of "street tablets" which has griped Ireland in recent years, according to a new study.
The number of people becoming addicted to drugs such as benzodiazepines and pregabalin, and the number dying of overdoses after taking them, has increased dramatically in recent years, research conducted by University College Cork, the Ana Liffey Drugs Project and the Health Research Board shows.
In the case of pregabalin, a drug used to treat a wide range of ailments such as epilepsy and anxiety,overdose deaths increased from 14 in 2013 to 65 in 2016, a 364 per cent rise. Health authorities only started testing for the presence of the drug postmortem in 2013.
There have also been significant increases in non-fatal overdoses involving other street tablets such as benzodiazepines and “z-drugs”, which are used to treat insomnia.
READ MORE
Researchers concluded the increase in illicit street tablet use is being facilitated by three sources; organised crime, online “pharmacies” and over-prescription of the drugs by doctors.
Fatal overdoses
Over-prescribing was potentially allowing users to sell unused tablets on the street, the research found. The number of fatal overdoses involving pregabalin is “strongly correlated” with the increase in prescriptions for the drug.
A robust electronic prescribing system could help stop “leakage” of prescribed drugs onto the street. It could also help prevent so-called “doctor shopping”, the practice of visiting multiple doctors to get prescriptions.
However, researchers also warned that more stringent controls on prescriptions could inadvertently cause people to resort to buying drugs on the street.
“Thus, to be effective in reducing harms from tablet use, there is a need to understand and be effective in addressing why individuals are using tablets in the first place...”
There is also evidence to show organised crime gangs are importing increasing amounts of street tablets into the country and, in some cases, manufacturing the drugs themselves.
Premade tablets usually come from India and Pakistan. In 2018, seizures of drugs such zopiclone, zolpidem and benzodiazepines in powder form indicated gangs were also using specialised equipment to make the tablets here.
However, "tableting machines, when found in Ireland, have tended to be slow and old compared with those found elsewhere in Europe, " the report stated.
‘Surface web’
Increasing numbers of individuals are also purchasing street tablets from online pharmacies which are typically based outside of Ireland, are unregulated and do not require prescriptions. These websites are typically located on the “surface web” rather than the “dark web”, meaning users require a minimum of computer knowledge to access them.
“Taking into account this improved technological form of distribution, it is perhaps not surprising that people are using street tablets in higher amounts, resulting in higher demand.”
These drugs are shipped into Ireland by post and sometimes sold on again over social media. The relatively small quantities involved in individual purchases makes their detection very difficult for the authorities.
The researchers suggested a range of measures to combat the street drug trade including the possibility of providing addicts with “prescribed tablets of a known purity in order that they do not access the street tablet market.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-27--Poor wifi, home distractions: Students on the reality of online classes

School and college closures have resulted in an almost overnight switch from face-to-face classes to learning online .
Looming over the entire enterprise is a cloud of fear and urgency : it is critical that remote learning succeeds if students are to avoid setbacks .
Colleges have been keen to emphasise that special measures will be taken to ensure exam candidates do not lose out as a result .
However , many who face challenging or stressful circumstances worry that they are falling behind and their grades will suffer .
The Irish Times asked students to share their experiences of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a selection of their responses : “ Online classes aren ’ t a great substitute for in-person seminars .
Lagging wifi means missing out on chunks of conversation when the internet freezes , and the atmosphere and learning environment is not the same as sitting in a classroom with lecturers and classmates.
” “ I ’ m finding it very difficult to concentrate in them [ online lectures ] .
Being in a non-designated space like a classroom means I get easily distracted , go on my phone more , might open new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re a good effort and I ’ ll take it , it ’ s the best that we can do , but there is definitely a different energy.
” “ There are some lecturers who should be highly commended for their actions in this situation .
For example , there are some that ensure all lectures are occurring over Zoom , providing support over email , providing additional support through forums , replacing office hours with Zoom meetings and accommodating larger groups by doing 1-3 Zoom sessions .
“ However , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not .
They are piling on additional work , ridiculous updated requirements and have yet to take into consideration that we do not have the capabilities to keep up with the same work level .
Furthermore , the same lecturers are not providing the equivalent of in-class support in order to answer questions , or to provide digital versions of office hour meeting times , or to provide sufficient support by email .
A lot are making it harder rather than easier.
” ‘ The online classes are helpful , but I miss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually finding the online classes really helpful .
I like that they come with the added ability of being able to look over the slides multiple times .
I think the college and the lecturers have been exceptional at providing the best possible education that they can in these circumstances , so I think they deserve credit for that .
The interactivity varies by class , as some are not live streaming and instead uploaded with voice overs for slides , so that is a small issue .
“ I think that while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , college is an interactive and social experience .
People ’ s home life is also not always suitable for productivity or concentration , and while mine is not the worst , houses can be noisy and distracting places .
I ’ m writing my dissertation at the moment , and I really miss the library , getting up and going somewhere quiet , and having a mental and physical separation between academic and home life.
” “ Zoom classes are great but not having the workshops and specialised tutors there to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , we have our degree show at the end of this college year , and it looks like that won ’ t be going ahead which is making it hard to have any motivation to work .
“ It ’ s also so hard as an art student to find the inspiration and motivation and to get our creative juices flowing being stuck in our house all day .
I know for me , and most people in my year , we won ’ t be able to achieve what we wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pieces which is devastating for us .
After three-four years of working towards this , it ’ s hard to not be able to put our best work forward at the end of it all , because we couldn ’ t access our studio and workshops.
” ‘ Online classes at home give me less stress ’ “ I currently live in the suburbs , and commuting by bus in the morning takes me on average about an hour to get to college .
Therefore , having online classes at home gives me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me to organise my daily schedule more efficiently .
“ Also , each class is recorded and uploaded to the college site , so I can look up the classes again whenever I need them .
However , I find myself getting easily distracted by my surroundings , especially on the laptop .
If I am losing interest in the class or if I want to have a look at something else , I can access different tabs while I attend the online classes.
” ‘ Classes are entirely dependent on a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that lie with virtual classes are , unfortunately , largely out of the control of universities .
These classes are entirely dependent on a strong internet connection , which varies depending on an individual ’ s broadband package and proximity to a router , as well as how many people are online at one time ( both within the app , as well as across the internet ) .
“ Internet providers all over the world are struggling right now to accommodate this sudden surge online as we all switch to working and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased usage of streaming services like Netflix .
“ I find it helps my Zoom connection when I disconnect my phone and other devices from the WiFi network - but this does not always solve the problem of network latency .
On the other end of the spectrum entirely , some students may lack adequate internet access altogether , or even a home computer .
In these scenarios , maintaining any semblance of a learning environment would be nearly impossible.
” “ We ’ ve received some emails from some of our lecturers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the college is closed .
We have also received some emails from staff in the college basically telling us that they are working on solutions to finish our learning and exams for this semester .
“ At the moment we have been told that a couple of our summer exams will be held online , but there are still some subjects we are waiting to be updated on .
The situation is a little bit stressful , and although there are still some questions unanswered , we have still been kept up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lecturers are holding daily meetings to come up with solutions that will benefit us.
” ‘ It seems sub-optimal as a substitute for in-person clinical training ’ “ While online teaching affords an increased degree of flexibility and draws heavily on personal intuition , it seems sub-optimal as a substitute for in-person clinical training .
“ Seeing a slate of medical conditions vicariously , while it is our best bet for the time being , often does not suffice , since doctors are trusted to discern physical findings very adeptly , and virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the efficacy of online teaching , in my personal view , depends on two significant variables : the degree of personal motivation , and the field of study , both of which are invaluable in determining the benefit that countless students like myself can derive from virtual learning .
”

School and college closures have resulted in an almost overnight switch from face-to-face classes to learning online.
Looming over the entire enterprise is a cloud of fear and urgency: it is critical that remote learning succeeds if students are to avoid setbacks.
Colleges have been keen to emphasise that special measures will be taken to ensure exam candidates do not lose out as a result.
However, many who face challenging or stressful circumstances worry that they are falling behind and their grades will suffer.
READ MORE
The Irish Times asked students to share their experiences of online learning so far. Here is a selection of their responses:
- Carl O'Brien, Education Editor
‘Lagging wifi and internet freezes’
Caileigh Ryan, creative writing M.Phil student at TCD
“Online classes aren’t a great substitute for in-person seminars. Lagging wifi means missing out on chunks of conversation when the internet freezes, and the atmosphere and learning environment is not the same as sitting in a classroom with lecturers and classmates.”
‘It’s difficult to concentrate online’
Niamh Elliott-Sheridan, gender and women’s studies M.Phil student at TCD
“I’m finding it very difficult to concentrate in them [online lectures]. Being in a non-designated space like a classroom means I get easily distracted, go on my phone more, might open new tabs in the computer.
“They’re a good effort and I’ll take it, it’s the best that we can do, but there is definitely a different energy.”
‘Many lecturers aren’t providing support’
Anonymous final year student, DCU
“There are some lecturers who should be highly commended for their actions in this situation. For example, there are some that ensure all lectures are occurring over Zoom, providing support over email, providing additional support through forums, replacing office hours with Zoom meetings and accommodating larger groups by doing 1-3 Zoom sessions.
“However, there are many, many lecturers who are not. They are piling on additional work, ridiculous updated requirements and have yet to take into consideration that we do not have the capabilities to keep up with the same work level. Furthermore, the same lecturers are not providing the equivalent of in-class support in order to answer questions, or to provide digital versions of office hour meeting times, or to provide sufficient support by email. A lot are making it harder rather than easier.”
‘The online classes are helpful, but I miss the library’
Brian Mac Court, economics, politics and law student at DCU
“I’m actually finding the online classes really helpful. I like that they come with the added ability of being able to look over the slides multiple times. I think the college and the lecturers have been exceptional at providing the best possible education that they can in these circumstances, so I think they deserve credit for that. The interactivity varies by class, as some are not live streaming and instead uploaded with voice overs for slides, so that is a small issue.
“I think that while this is sufficient for now and necessary, college is an interactive and social experience. People’s home life is also not always suitable for productivity or concentration, and while mine is not the worst, houses can be noisy and distracting places. I’m writing my dissertation at the moment, and I really miss the library, getting up and going somewhere quiet, and having a mental and physical separation between academic and home life.”
‘It’s hard to find inspiration and motivation’
Anonymous student at NCAD
“Zoom classes are great but not having the workshops and specialised tutors there to help us is tough. Especially in final year, we have our degree show at the end of this college year, and it looks like that won’t be going ahead which is making it hard to have any motivation to work.
“It’s also so hard as an art student to find the inspiration and motivation and to get our creative juices flowing being stuck in our house all day. I know for me, and most people in my year, we won’t be able to achieve what we wanted to in our final end of year pieces which is devastating for us.
After three-four years of working towards this, it’s hard to not be able to put our best work forward at the end of it all, because we couldn’t access our studio and workshops.”
‘Online classes at home give me less stress’
Minhwa Shin, business student at CCT College Dublin
“I currently live in the suburbs, and commuting by bus in the morning takes me on average about an hour to get to college. Therefore, having online classes at home gives me less stress in the morning and helps me to organise my daily schedule more efficiently.
“Also, each class is recorded and uploaded to the college site, so I can look up the classes again whenever I need them. However, I find myself getting easily distracted by my surroundings, especially on the laptop. If I am losing interest in the class or if I want to have a look at something else, I can access different tabs while I attend the online classes.”
'Classes are entirely dependent on a strong internet connection'
Sela Garza, Trinity College Dublin
“The potential complications that lie with virtual classes are, unfortunately, largely out of the control of universities. These classes are entirely dependent on a strong internet connection, which varies depending on an individual’s broadband package and proximity to a router, as well as how many people are online at one time (both within the app, as well as across the internet).
"Internet providers all over the world are struggling right now to accommodate this sudden surge online as we all switch to working and learning remotely, not to mention the increased usage of streaming services like Netflix.
“I find it helps my Zoom connection when I disconnect my phone and other devices from the WiFi network - but this does not always solve the problem of network latency. On the other end of the spectrum entirely, some students may lack adequate internet access altogether, or even a home computer. In these scenarios, maintaining any semblance of a learning environment would be nearly impossible.”
‘The situation is a little bit stressful’
Ryan Jones, mechanical engineering student at TU Dublin, Bolton Street
“ We’ve received some emails from some of our lecturers telling us some topics we should revise while the college is closed. We have also received some emails from staff in the college basically telling us that they are working on solutions to finish our learning and exams for this semester.
“At the moment we have been told that a couple of our summer exams will be held online, but there are still some subjects we are waiting to be updated on. The situation is a little bit stressful, and although there are still some questions unanswered, we have still been kept up to date with the fact that the lecturers are holding daily meetings to come up with solutions that will benefit us.”
‘It seems sub-optimal as a substitute for in-person clinical training’
Talal Almas, medicine, RCSI
“While online teaching affords an increased degree of flexibility and draws heavily on personal intuition, it seems sub-optimal as a substitute for in-person clinical training.
“Seeing a slate of medical conditions vicariously, while it is our best bet for the time being, often does not suffice, since doctors are trusted to discern physical findings very adeptly, and virtual exposure therefore feels insufficient. Thus, the efficacy of online teaching, in my personal view, depends on two significant variables: the degree of personal motivation, and the field of study, both of which are invaluable in determining the benefit that countless students like myself can derive from virtual learning.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-27--How will Leaving Cert delay affect students going on to further education?

I work in a further education ( FE ) college and I am unclear on how the Leaving Cert delay will impact on our current students hoping to go on to third level , as well as sixth years who were due to start with us in September .
Is there any clarity on these issues ?
Your current students obviously face a large deal of uncertainty at the moment .
Most of their concerns are the same as those shared by other students currently : access to technology ; trying to complete assignments that have been set as alternatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support them with their assignments ; and the stress and anxiety that the whole situation is causing .
However , for those students who are hoping to progress through the CAO , they face the added pressure of having all of this work completed by early May to allow it to be corrected and graded by teachers for the CAO ’ s round zero offers ( this round takes place ahead of the better-known round one offers ) .
If the current lockdown is extended past May 5th , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be completed within the current timeline set by the CAO , unless all offer rounds are extended substantially this year .
In order to help alleviate this uncertainty and anxiety for students due to graduate from FE colleges , clarification urgently needs to be given to all FE institutions on the timeline for round zero offers .
If adjustments to the current tight deadlines for students to complete their assignments are made by the CAO , this will help take a lot of pressure off both your students and staff .
Regarding potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Leaving Certificate this year , prospective FE students won ’ t know where they stand in relation to their options for next year until October at the earliest .
This is likely to mean PLC ( Post-Leaving Cert ) colleges won ’ t be able to commence their courses until late October or even November to accommodate this year ’ s Leaving Cert students .
This raises a number of questions .
Firstly , what will this mean for the 2020/2021 academic calendar for FE colleges ?
Will the new academic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or will some of the other breaks , such as February mid-term and Easter , be shortened ?
This is , of course , likely to raise concerns among the teaching unions .
Secondly , Leaving Cert students aren ’ t the only ones who do PLC/FE courses .
There are a lot of mature students who do these courses to upskill and retrain in order to obtain employment .
Given that many jobs may be lost following the pandemic , there will be understandable pressure from the Government on FE colleges to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help return these people to secure employment .
As things stand , we have more questions than answers .

The delay to the Leaving Cert means prospective further education students won’t know their options for next year until October at the earliest. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
I work in a further education (FE) college and I am unclear on how the Leaving Cert delay will impact on our current students hoping to go on to third level, as well as sixth years who were due to start with us in September. Is there any clarity on these issues?
Your current students obviously face a large deal of uncertainty at the moment. Most of their concerns are the same as those shared by other students currently: access to technology; trying to complete assignments that have been set as alternatives to exams; reduced access to teachers to support them with their assignments; and the stress and anxiety that the whole situation is causing.
However, for those students who are hoping to progress through the CAO, they face the added pressure of having all of this work completed by early May to allow it to be corrected and graded by teachers for the CAO’s round zero offers (this round takes place ahead of the better-known round one offers).
If the current lockdown is extended past May 5th, it’s very difficult to see how assessment can be completed within the current timeline set by the CAO, unless all offer rounds are extended substantially this year.
READ MORE
In order to help alleviate this uncertainty and anxiety for students due to graduate from FE colleges, clarification urgently needs to be given to all FE institutions on the timeline for round zero offers.
If adjustments to the current tight deadlines for students to complete their assignments are made by the CAO, this will help take a lot of pressure off both your students and staff.
Regarding potential 2020-2021 students, given the late running of the Leaving Certificate this year, prospective FE students won’t know where they stand in relation to their options for next year until October at the earliest.
This is likely to mean PLC (Post-Leaving Cert) colleges won’t be able to commence their courses until late October or even November to accommodate this year’s Leaving Cert students.
This raises a number of questions. Firstly, what will this mean for the 2020/2021 academic calendar for FE colleges? Will the new academic year be extended into June 2021, or will some of the other breaks, such as February mid-term and Easter, be shortened? This is, of course, likely to raise concerns among the teaching unions.
Secondly, Leaving Cert students aren’t the only ones who do PLC/FE courses. There are a lot of mature students who do these courses to upskill and retrain in order to obtain employment. Given that many jobs may be lost following the pandemic, there will be understandable pressure from the Government on FE colleges to start upskilling courses as soon as possible to help return these people to secure employment. As things stand, we have more questions than answers.


theirishtimes--2020-04-27--Plan for 366 homes on hold after judge refers matter to EU court

Plans for a development of 366 new homes in Clane , Co Kildare , are on hold after a High Court judge referred an issue over an EU directive to the Court of Justice of the EU ( CJEU ) .
Ardstone Homes was granted permission by An Bord Pleanála for the development at Capdoo , Clane , under strategic housing legislation .
Four local residents brought judicial review proceedings against the board over that decision .
Three days into the hearing of the case , talks took place and both sides consented to the proceedings being struck out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strike the case out because he first wants guidance from the CJEU relating to the interpretation of a 2011 EU environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) directive and how that should affect the strike out application by the parties .
The judge said the issue here was whether there are ever circumstances in which a national court may be obliged to rule upon an application to set aside planning permission notwithstanding that the party who initially invoked the court ’ s jurisdiction now wishes to have the proceedings struck out .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the residents ’ challenge involved an allegation that An Bord Pleanála failed to comply with its obligation to state the “ main reasons and considerations ” for granting permission and this was a breach of the EIA directive and of domestic law .
The alleged failure to state main reasons for the decision “ may conceal another , perhaps more serious , breach of the public participation requirements of the EIA directive ” , the judge said .
It is arguable that , on one reading of the board inspector ’ s report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been placed upon the pre-application consultation between the board , Ardstone and the local council , he said .
This primarily concerned the density ( number of houses per acre ) of the development .
It was accepted by all parties the court has a discretion under domestic law to strike out the case although it was argued that discretion is limited and should generally be exercised in favour of allowing the settlement , the judge said .
In nearly any other case , the court would have been persuaded by that argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , on “ the peculiar facts of the present case ” the precise obligations imposed upon a national court by the EIA directive are not clear enough .
A reference to the CJEU was therefore necessary to enable him to rule on the strike out application .
These were public law proceedings and if the parties were entitled to unilaterally discontinue the case this might deprive the national court of jurisdiction to provide a remedy under the EIA directive , he said .
He therefore was asking the CJEU to decide whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the substantive or procedural legality of the planning permission decision in circumstances where the court has available to it the legal and factual elements necessary to make such a ruling .
He also asked it to rule on whether there is an obligation on the national court to take all measures necessary to remedy the failure to carry out an assessment in accordance with the EIA directive extending to an obligation to rule on substantive or procedural legality of the permission .
He also wants the CJEU to rule on whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the gravity of the alleged breach of the EIA directive , the implications of that alleged breach for effective public participation , the stage at which the parties asked for the strike out , and the ability of the national court to determine the issues on the basis of the factual materials put before it .

Both sides consented to the proceedings being struck out but the judge first wants guidance from the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU).
Plans for a development of 366 new homes in Clane, Co Kildare, are on hold after a High Court judge referred an issue over an EU directive to the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU).
Ardstone Homes was granted permission by An Bord Pleanála for the development at Capdoo, Clane, under strategic housing legislation.
Four local residents brought judicial review proceedings against the board over that decision. Three days into the hearing of the case, talks took place and both sides consented to the proceedings being struck out.
However, Mr Justice Garrett Simons refused to strike the case out because he first wants guidance from the CJEU relating to the interpretation of a 2011 EU environmental impact assessment (EIA) directive and how that should affect the strike out application by the parties.
READ MORE
The judge said the issue here was whether there are ever circumstances in which a national court may be obliged to rule upon an application to set aside planning permission notwithstanding that the party who initially invoked the court’s jurisdiction now wishes to have the proceedings struck out.
He said one of the principal grounds of the residents’ challenge involved an allegation that An Bord Pleanála failed to comply with its obligation to state the “main reasons and considerations” for granting permission and this was a breach of the EIA directive and of domestic law.
The alleged failure to state main reasons for the decision “may conceal another, perhaps more serious, breach of the public participation requirements of the EIA directive”, the judge said.
It is arguable that, on one reading of the board inspector’s report at least, improper reliance may have been placed upon the pre-application consultation between the board, Ardstone and the local council, he said. This primarily concerned the density (number of houses per acre) of the development.
It was accepted by all parties the court has a discretion under domestic law to strike out the case although it was argued that discretion is limited and should generally be exercised in favour of allowing the settlement, the judge said.
In nearly any other case, the court would have been persuaded by that argument to strike out, he said.
However, on “the peculiar facts of the present case” the precise obligations imposed upon a national court by the EIA directive are not clear enough.
A reference to the CJEU was therefore necessary to enable him to rule on the strike out application.
These were public law proceedings and if the parties were entitled to unilaterally discontinue the case this might deprive the national court of jurisdiction to provide a remedy under the EIA directive, he said.
He therefore was asking the CJEU to decide whether the High Court is obliged to rule on the substantive or procedural legality of the planning permission decision in circumstances where the court has available to it the legal and factual elements necessary to make such a ruling.
He also asked it to rule on whether there is an obligation on the national court to take all measures necessary to remedy the failure to carry out an assessment in accordance with the EIA directive extending to an obligation to rule on substantive or procedural legality of the permission.
He also wants the CJEU to rule on whether the answers to those questions depends on factors including the gravity of the alleged breach of the EIA directive, the implications of that alleged breach for effective public participation, the stage at which the parties asked for the strike out, and the ability of the national court to determine the issues on the basis of the factual materials put before it.


theirishtimes--2020-04-27--Covid-19 death rates North and South appear broadly similar

Ten more people have died in Northern Ireland from the coronavirus , according to the latest figures from the North ’ s Department of Health .
This brings the total number of Covid-19 fatalities in Northern Ireland to 309 – a death rate that appears to be broadly comparable to that of the Republic .
The department also reported that 66 more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland .
The total number of people confirmed with coronavirus now stands at 3,374 .
Most of these deaths occurred in Northern Ireland hospitals .
These figures do not take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes in the North .
On Friday the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency reported that up to April 17th an estimated 96 people died in care homes and hospices in the North , which adds about a third to the department ’ s hospital list .
Allowences must be taken into account for discrepancies in the data , but based on these figures it seems that the coronavirus death rates North and South are roughly similar .
Taking the 309 hospital deaths ’ figure and adding it to the 96 care home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 405 Northern Ireland deaths .
This gives a Covid-19 death rate of 21 per 100,000 of population in Northern Ireland which has a population of close to 1.9 million .
In the Republic the coronavirus death toll on Monday evening was 1,102 .
Based on the Republic ’ s population of 4.9 million that gives a death rate of a comparable 22 per 100,000 of population .
In the South , those compiling the figures argue that they are relatively up to date and include most care home fatality figures .
While this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides of the Border a truer comparison can ’ t be established until all or most of the data is collated .
And as pressure grows in some quarters for easing of the Covid-19 restrictions First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill insisted now was not the time “ to gamble with people ’ s lives ” .
“ Now is not the time for impatience to get the better of us .
No one should act as if coronavirus has been beaten .
It hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go , ” said Ms Foster .
Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill expressed disappointment to hear reports of “ some people who seem to have decided for themselves that it ’ s time to relax the restrictions that are in place to save lives ” .
“ That kind of attitude is wrong , it is reckless and it is endangering lives .
Until a vaccine is found it means we must co-exist with this virus , ” she added .
Ms Foster also took issue with comments in the Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McDonald characterised Covid-19 as an “ accelerant ” to a united Ireland .
She also described as “ astonishing ” the lack of a single North-South health policy for the island .
Ms McDonald ’ s remarks followed on Sinn Féin junior Minister Declan Kearney accusing “ some unionists ” of putting the economy ahead of public health .
Said Ms Foster “ I think the most important job for me as First Minister of Northern Ireland is to protect lives , to save lives , to make sure that our National Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not in any way overwhelmed by what is going on .
“ So I do think it is regrettable that other leaders are interested in constitutional navel-gazing at this time .
I think it would be important for us to look back with hindsight when we ’ re not in the middle of a pandemic .
But for others , their priorities lie elsewhere .
I think that is regrettable.
” Ms O ’ Neill said an all-island approach to health was not a political point but “ just makes sense ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Aiken said it was “ utterly shameful ” that Ms McDonald “ should seek to use this public health emergency to attempt to create selfish political opportunity in a crisis to advance Sinn Féin political ideology ” .

DUP First Minister Arlene Foster (left) and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill (right) speaking in Belfast on the Covid-19 situatin in Northern Ireland earlier this month. Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA Wire
Ten more people have died in Northern Ireland from the coronavirus, according to the latest figures from the North's Department of Health.
This brings the total number of Covid-19 fatalities in Northern Ireland to 309 – a death rate that appears to be broadly comparable to that of the Republic.
The department also reported that 66 more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland. The total number of people confirmed with coronavirus now stands at 3,374.
Most of these deaths occurred in Northern Ireland hospitals. These figures do not take into account those who died in care homes in the North.
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On Friday the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency reported that up to April 17th an estimated 96 people died in care homes and hospices in the North, which adds about a third to the department’s hospital list.
Allowences must be taken into account for discrepancies in the data, but based on these figures it seems that the coronavirus death rates North and South are roughly similar.
Taking the 309 hospital deaths’ figure and adding it to the 96 care home and hospice deaths gives a total of 405 Northern Ireland deaths.
This gives a Covid-19 death rate of 21 per 100,000 of population in Northern Ireland which has a population of close to 1.9 million.
In the Republic the coronavirus death toll on Monday evening was 1,102. Based on the Republic’s population of 4.9 million that gives a death rate of a comparable 22 per 100,000 of population.
Truer comparison
In the South, those compiling the figures argue that they are relatively up to date and include most care home fatality figures.
While this indicates broadly parallel death rates on both sides of the Border a truer comparison can’t be established until all or most of the data is collated.
And as pressure grows in some quarters for easing of the Covid-19 restrictions First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill insisted now was not the time "to gamble with people's lives".
“Now is not the time for impatience to get the better of us. No one should act as if coronavirus has been beaten. It hasn’t and we still have some way to go,” said Ms Foster.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill expressed disappointment to hear reports of “some people who seem to have decided for themselves that it’s time to relax the restrictions that are in place to save lives”.
“That kind of attitude is wrong, it is reckless and it is endangering lives. Until a vaccine is found it means we must co-exist with this virus,” she added.
Ms Foster also took issue with comments in the Sunday Times where Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald characterised Covid-19 as an “accelerant” to a united Ireland. She also described as “astonishing” the lack of a single North-South health policy for the island.
Sense
Ms McDonald's remarks followed on Sinn Féin junior Minister Declan Kearney accusing "some unionists" of putting the economy ahead of public health.
Said Ms Foster “I think the most important job for me as First Minister of Northern Ireland is to protect lives, to save lives, to make sure that our National Health Service, that great British institution, is not in any way overwhelmed by what is going on.
“So I do think it is regrettable that other leaders are interested in constitutional navel-gazing at this time. I think it would be important for us to look back with hindsight when we’re not in the middle of a pandemic. But for others, their priorities lie elsewhere. I think that is regrettable.”
Ms O’Neill said an all-island approach to health was not a political point but “just makes sense”.
The Ulster Unionist Party leader, Steve Aiken said it was "utterly shameful" that Ms McDonald "should seek to use this public health emergency to attempt to create selfish political opportunity in a crisis to advance Sinn Féin political ideology".


theirishtimes--2020-04-27--Bank entitled to possession of Dublin 4 apartment, High Court rules

A bank is entitled to an order for possession of an apartment at Pembroke Road , Dublin 4 , the High Court has ruled .
Mr Justice Garrett Simons said AIB plc was entitled to a possession order against Richard Finbarr Fitzgerald , with an address at South Mall , Cork , arising from a 1995 mortgage and the terms of loan facilities accepted by Mr Fitzgerald in September 2015 .
A 2003 lease agreement granted by Mr Fitzgerald under which Ms Eileen Daly has lived in the apartment at Baruva House , Pembroke Road , is not valid against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consent was not sought for the lease , he held .
Subject to submissions on the precise form of order , he proposed to put a six-month stay on the possession order to allow Ms Daly an opportunity to find alternative accommodation , he said .
The normal stay is three months but , in light of the practical difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic and the fact Ms Daly has been residing in the premises for almost two decades , he was proposing a six-month stay .
Final orders will be made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
The judge noted Mr Fitzgerald was granted a mortgage over the apartment in 1995 and the bank sought to enforce that under a debt alleged to be outstanding under loan facilities advanced in September 2015 to restructure existing debt owed by Mr Fitzgerald to AIB .
It was intended Mr Fitzgerald would dispose of certain lands , including the apartment and , if the sale proceeds met certain asset disposal targets , the outstanding balance was to be written off .
AIB , represented by Roland Rowan BL , claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment within the required 18 month period .
The judge said it appeared a lease was entered into between Mr Fitzgerald and Ms Daly and an agreement dated 2002 indicated the term of the lease was to be 35 years , commencing in April 2002 with rent payable of €800 a month , to be paid by a set-off of a sum of €800,000 said to be due by Mr Fitzgerald to Ms Daly .
The judge said Mr Fitzgerald was declared bankrupt in January 2020 and the Official Assignee in bankruptcy had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought by AIB as a creditor of Mr Fitzgerald .
Mr Fitzgerald was not represented at the High Court hearing last month and did not attend it , he said .
Notice of the proceedings had been served on Mr Fitzgerald and the occupant of the apartment .
AIB had exhibited statements of account indicating the outstanding balance on the 2015 loan facilities was some €4.2 million under one facility and €85,329 on a second .
The bank also said the apartment had not been sold as Mr Fitzgerald was required to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence before the court was the principal monies secured on the mortgage are due for payment and , under the facility letter , the 2015 loans are payable on demand by the bank at any time at its absolute discretion , he said .
In any event , the principal monies were to have been paid by specified dates which have passed without repayment .
Mr Fitzgerald has also failed to dispose of the apartment as required and the power of sale would be ineffective without vacant possession of the premises .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possession .
There was also nothing in the papers before the court to suggest the bank had consented to the lease in favour of Ms Daly and that lease was therefore void against the bank , he held .

The uncontested evidence before the court was the principal monies secured on the mortgage are due for payment. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien
A bank is entitled to an order for possession of an apartment at Pembroke Road, Dublin 4, the High Court has ruled.
Mr Justice Garrett Simons said AIB plc was entitled to a possession order against Richard Finbarr Fitzgerald, with an address at South Mall, Cork, arising from a 1995 mortgage and the terms of loan facilities accepted by Mr Fitzgerald in September 2015.
A 2003 lease agreement granted by Mr Fitzgerald under which Ms Eileen Daly has lived in the apartment at Baruva House, Pembroke Road, is not valid against the bank because the bank’s consent was not sought for the lease, he held.
Subject to submissions on the precise form of order, he proposed to put a six-month stay on the possession order to allow Ms Daly an opportunity to find alternative accommodation, he said.
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The normal stay is three months but, in light of the practical difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic and the fact Ms Daly has been residing in the premises for almost two decades, he was proposing a six-month stay.
Final orders will be made later arising from the judgment delivered electronically on Monday.
The judge noted Mr Fitzgerald was granted a mortgage over the apartment in 1995 and the bank sought to enforce that under a debt alleged to be outstanding under loan facilities advanced in September 2015 to restructure existing debt owed by Mr Fitzgerald to AIB.
It was intended Mr Fitzgerald would dispose of certain lands, including the apartment and, if the sale proceeds met certain asset disposal targets, the outstanding balance was to be written off.
AIB, represented by Roland Rowan BL, claimed Mr Fitzgerald had failed to sell the apartment within the required 18 month period.
The judge said it appeared a lease was entered into between Mr Fitzgerald and Ms Daly and an agreement dated 2002 indicated the term of the lease was to be 35 years, commencing in April 2002 with rent payable of €800 a month, to be paid by a set-off of a sum of €800,000 said to be due by Mr Fitzgerald to Ms Daly.
The judge said Mr Fitzgerald was declared bankrupt in January 2020 and the Official Assignee in bankruptcy had not objected to the possession order as sought by AIB as a creditor of Mr Fitzgerald.
Mr Fitzgerald was not represented at the High Court hearing last month and did not attend it, he said. Notice of the proceedings had been served on Mr Fitzgerald and the occupant of the apartment.
AIB had exhibited statements of account indicating the outstanding balance on the 2015 loan facilities was some €4.2 million under one facility and €85,329 on a second. The bank also said the apartment had not been sold as Mr Fitzgerald was required to do under the second facility.
The uncontested evidence before the court was the principal monies secured on the mortgage are due for payment and, under the facility letter, the 2015 loans are payable on demand by the bank at any time at its absolute discretion, he said. In any event, the principal monies were to have been paid by specified dates which have passed without repayment.
Mr Fitzgerald has also failed to dispose of the apartment as required and the power of sale would be ineffective without vacant possession of the premises.
He was satisfied the bank was entitled to possession. There was also nothing in the papers before the court to suggest the bank had consented to the lease in favour of Ms Daly and that lease was therefore void against the bank, he held.


theirishtimes--2020-04-27--Legal battle to compel British government to put policy for holding border poll in place is lost

A victims ’ campaigner has lost his legal battle to have the British government compelled to put in place a policy for holding a border poll in Northern Ireland .
Lawyers for Raymond McCord claimed the current criteria for calling a referendum on the question of Irish unity lacks transparency .
But the Court of Appeal in Belfast on Monday upheld a decision that it should be left to the North ’ s Secretary of State to make a decision on the appropriate circumstances .
Lord Justice Stephens ruled that the 1998 Northern Ireland Act “ contains no express duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or in what circumstances it is in the public interest to hold a border poll ” .
Under the terms of the Belfast Agreement the Northern Secretary can call a vote if he believes a majority of people in the region no longer want to remain part of the United Kingdom .
In June 2018 , a High Court judge held there was no legal obligation to have a defined criteria in place .
Mr McCord , an outspoken critic of loyalist paramilitaries since a UVF gang beat his son Raymond Jr to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Belfast man ’ s lawyers contended that no-one currently knows what the criteria is for convening a border poll - a position they alleged is unlawful .
They claimed an unconstitutional situation has developed where the Northern Secretary has simply opted to maintain the status quo .
Mr McCord did not mount the case in a bid to secure a referendum .
He stressed that his aim was to “ take orange and green sectarian politics and opinions out of a border poll ” .
During the hearing his legal team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring certainty to the issue .
However , appeal judges rejected all grounds of challenge , including arguments that the current situation is unreasonable .
Lord Justice Stephens said it was a matter for the Secretary of State to decide which matters should be taken into or left out of account .
He added : “ On that basis we consider that it is for the respondent to decide what is , or is not relevant to the decision-making process depending on the prevailing circumstances .
”

A victims’ campaigner has lost his legal battle to have the British government compelled to put in place a policy for holding a border poll in Northern Ireland.
Lawyers for Raymond McCord claimed the current criteria for calling a referendum on the question of Irish unity lacks transparency.
But the Court of Appeal in Belfast on Monday upheld a decision that it should be left to the North’s Secretary of State to make a decision on the appropriate circumstances.
Lord Justice Stephens ruled that the 1998 Northern Ireland Act “contains no express duty to publish a policy as to when or in what circumstances it is in the public interest to hold a border poll”.
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Under the terms of the Belfast Agreement the Northern Secretary can call a vote if he believes a majority of people in the region no longer want to remain part of the United Kingdom.
In June 2018, a High Court judge held there was no legal obligation to have a defined criteria in place. Mr McCord, an outspoken critic of loyalist paramilitaries since a UVF gang beat his son Raymond Jr to death in 1997, appealed that determination.
The Belfast man’s lawyers contended that no-one currently knows what the criteria is for convening a border poll - a position they alleged is unlawful. They claimed an unconstitutional situation has developed where the Northern Secretary has simply opted to maintain the status quo. Mr McCord did not mount the case in a bid to secure a referendum.
He stressed that his aim was to “take orange and green sectarian politics and opinions out of a border poll”. During the hearing his legal team contended that a policy is now required to bring certainty to the issue. However, appeal judges rejected all grounds of challenge, including arguments that the current situation is unreasonable.
Lord Justice Stephens said it was a matter for the Secretary of State to decide which matters should be taken into or left out of account. He added: “On that basis we consider that it is for the respondent to decide what is, or is not relevant to the decision-making process depending on the prevailing circumstances.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-27--Clusters of Covid-19 infections spread to 211 nursing homes

Coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes have passed the 200-mark with the State ’ s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan saying that there were now clusters in 211 nursing homes .
This amounts to cases in almost 40 per cent of the country ’ s 540 nursing homes .
Adding residential settings , the number of Covid-19 clusters now stands at 355 .
A cluster is defined as two cases or more .
Residential care and nursing homes account for more than half of the 600-plus clusters of infection identified since the first case of Covid-19 was detected in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 58 per cent of the 1,102 deaths related to the coronavirus disease are associated with residential facilities , while nursing homes alone account for 49.5 per cent of deaths .
Of the 641 deaths in residential settings , 500 were laboratory-confirmed cases of Covid-19 , while the rest were treated as probable or suspected cases of the disease .
Of the 546 deaths in nursing homes , 420 were laboratory confirmed as being Covid-19 related , with the balance accounted for by probable or suspected cases .
A total of 3,875 coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residential settings , including 3,048 individuals in nursing homes .
Some 8.1 per cent of cases in residential settings were admitted to hospital ; and 7 per cent of cases in nursing homes .
There are 420 privately-owned nursing homes and 120 HSE-run homes in the country where 29,000 residents live and 30,000 work .
The surge in the number of reported Covid-19 cases has arisen following the Government ’ s decision to order mass testing of nursing home staff and residents .
“ There has been a focused campaign of testing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has meant that there are more cases being confirmed , ” said Tadhg Daly , chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland , the body representing the country ’ s private nursing home owners .
One of the worst affected nursing homes , St Mary ’ s Hospital in the Phoenix Park in Dublin recorded the death of another resident , bringing to 22 the number of people who have died there this month .
One third of bedrooms in the HSE-run nursing home are shared between residents , according to inspection reports from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hiqa ) .
Each ward has two twin bedrooms and one four-bed room .
The facility has 198 residential places and has been battling the widespread transmission of coronavirus in recent weeks .
A HSE spokeswoman said suspected and confirmed Covid-19 cases “ are cohorted and isolated based on their assessment and within the facilities available on-site.
” An additional ward was opened within St Mary ’ s to better isolate cohorts of confirmed , or suspected cases , she said .
“ At this time there is capacity to offer all patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is appropriate , ” the spokeswoman said .
“ An outbreak management team meet daily to manage the Covid-19 outbreak within St Mary ’ s Hospital , where actions are agreed and implemented in the best interests of the residents .
”

Coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes have passed the 200-mark with the State's chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan saying that there were now clusters in 211 nursing homes.
This amounts to cases in almost 40 per cent of the country’s 540 nursing homes.
Adding residential settings, the number of Covid-19 clusters now stands at 355. A cluster is defined as two cases or more.
Residential care and nursing homes account for more than half of the 600-plus clusters of infection identified since the first case of Covid-19 was detected in the State on February 29th.
READ MORE
In total, 58 per cent of the 1,102 deaths related to the coronavirus disease are associated with residential facilities, while nursing homes alone account for 49.5 per cent of deaths.
Of the 641 deaths in residential settings, 500 were laboratory-confirmed cases of Covid-19, while the rest were treated as probable or suspected cases of the disease.
Of the 546 deaths in nursing homes, 420 were laboratory confirmed as being Covid-19 related, with the balance accounted for by probable or suspected cases.
A total of 3,875 coronavirus cases were associated with the clusters in residential settings, including 3,048 individuals in nursing homes.
Some 8.1 per cent of cases in residential settings were admitted to hospital; and 7 per cent of cases in nursing homes.
There are 420 privately-owned nursing homes and 120 HSE-run homes in the country where 29,000 residents live and 30,000 work.
Surge
The surge in the number of reported Covid-19 cases has arisen following the Government’s decision to order mass testing of nursing home staff and residents.
"There has been a focused campaign of testing of both residents and staff so that obviously has meant that there are more cases being confirmed," said Tadhg Daly, chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland, the body representing the country's private nursing home owners.
One of the worst affected nursing homes, St Mary's Hospital in the Phoenix Park in Dublin recorded the death of another resident, bringing to 22 the number of people who have died there this month. One third of bedrooms in the HSE-run nursing home are shared between residents, according to inspection reports from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa).
Each ward has two twin bedrooms and one four-bed room. The facility has 198 residential places and has been battling the widespread transmission of coronavirus in recent weeks.
A HSE spokeswoman said suspected and confirmed Covid-19 cases “are cohorted and isolated based on their assessment and within the facilities available on-site.”
An additional ward was opened within St Mary’s to better isolate cohorts of confirmed, or suspected cases, she said.
“At this time there is capacity to offer all patients an individual room if they choose and it is appropriate,” the spokeswoman said.
“An outbreak management team meet daily to manage the Covid-19 outbreak within St Mary’s Hospital, where actions are agreed and implemented in the best interests of the residents.”