theirishtimes--2020-06-10--PPE stockpiled in case of second wave of Covid-19, says Varadkar

The Government is stockpiling Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) in anticipation of a future second wave of Covid-19 , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said .
A second wave , or spike in Covid-19 cases , or indeed another type of virus was possible , and it was important to be prepared , he told RTÉ ’ s 2FM on Wednesday .
When asked about the Government ’ s decision not to make face coverings mandatory , Mr Varadkar said experts disagreed on this issue .
He said the best evidence was that face masks were important in medical situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on public transport or in shops .
The Taoiseach said face coverings are not “ a magic shield ” and that the Government will be undertaking a public information campaign on the correct way to wear face coverings and the importance of continuing good hand hygiene .
Mr Varadkar added that the campaign for the flu vaccine will also be “ stepped up ” , with a particular emphasis on health care workers .
“ We will be encouraging them to get the flu jab.
” The topic of face coverings has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with some experts calling for them to be made mandatory and others disagreeing .
Current advice from health officials in Ireland is that people are encouraged to wear coverings on public transport , shops and areas where people can not maintain physical distancing .
Speaking earlier this week , chief medical officer Tony Holohan said Irish people can “ do better ” at wearing coverings to suppress the spread of the virus .
The National Public Health Emergency Team is also due to consider its advice for t he wearing of face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ De Gascun , director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory , said his recommendation is that people should wear face coverings if they are in a situation where physical distancing can not be maintained .
Speaking on RTÉ radio ’ s Today with Sarah McInerney show on Wednesday , Dr De Gascun said it had not been his intention , when commenting on cloth coverings at the Covid Committee on Tuesday , to cause confusion or reduce compliance .
He said his understanding of the most recent WHO recommendation , which was issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can work for asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission .
“ In that context it means previously we would have recommended masks for people who are symptomatic , masks have been used long before Covid-19 and will be used long into the future , ” Dr De Gascun said .
“ People who are symptomatic , anybody with a respiratory tract infection , if they can tolerate wearing a mask they should be wearing a mask when they go into hospital , to prevent onward transmission from somebody who is infected with something be it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also used by healthcare workers to protect themselves when providing care to people who are infected with respiratory viruses , he added .
“ What we ’ re talking about now is moving that out of the health care sector and into the community and the evidence around masks in the community - but there ’ s not a strong evidence base for it .
Purely because a lot of the studies haven ’ t been done .
“ We ’ re extrapolating from other viruses .
We believe there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloth face coverings , but it ’ s only in the setting where physical distancing is not possible.
” Dr De Gascun said it was important “ to get the nuance ” : the absence of evidence doesn ’ t necessarily mean that it doesn ’ t work .
Currently , the public has been advised to not use medical-grade face masks , to ensure adequate supply remained for healthcare workers .
The new WHO guidance about medical-grade masks has not yet been reviewed by Nphet , he said .
There was good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was why they were worn by healthcare workers and why they should be preserved for healthcare workers , Dr De Gascun said .
“ There are other concerns , such as waste issues , if people don ’ t use [ masks ] appropriately they can increase risk .
If I ’ m wearing a face mask and I contaminate it then I can contaminate my hands and I can contaminate surfaces - so they are not a magic shield We also want to ensure that people continue to practice good hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
In an effort to clarify how to wear face coverings Dr De Gascun said they did not need to be worn in the open air or while driving a car .
“ In essence these things need to be single-use .
What we want people in the community to do is if they ’ re going to the shop or on public transport , when they get there , they put on the mask , sanitise their hands and do their shopping , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the open air or into their car they take off the mask , put it in a bag and sanitise their hands again .
If it is a cloth one , you bring it home and you wash it at 60 degrees Celsius.
” Continued supply of medical-grade PPE was another reason behind Nphet ’ s recommendation to use non-medical face coverings .
The State ordered several consignments of medical-grade PPE as a result of “ significant challenges ” sourcing protective equipment during the peak of the pandemic as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the State ’ s efforts to secure PPE has been the “ airbridge ” strategy , which saw Aer Lingus flights chartered by the HSE to ferry hundreds of millions of euros worth of equipment back from where it was sourced in China .
At its peak , this was operating 35 flights per week .
On Wednesday afternoon , the world ’ s largest aircraft will land in Shannon airport to deliver a large consignment of PPE from China .

Jockeys wear face masks at Naas Racecourse, in Co Kildare, on Monday for the resumption of racing. Photograph: PA
The Government is stockpiling Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in anticipation of a future second wave of Covid-19, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.
A second wave, or spike in Covid-19 cases, or indeed another type of virus was possible, and it was important to be prepared, he told RTÉ’s 2FM on Wednesday.
When asked about the Government’s decision not to make face coverings mandatory, Mr Varadkar said experts disagreed on this issue.
He said the best evidence was that face masks were important in medical situations and “can be of benefit” on public transport or in shops.
READ MORE
The Taoiseach said face coverings are not “a magic shield” and that the Government will be undertaking a public information campaign on the correct way to wear face coverings and the importance of continuing good hand hygiene.
Speaking on RTÉ 2FM's Breakfast with Doireann and Eoghan show, he also indicated that the reopening date for hairdressers and salons was under review.
Mr Varadkar said the Government’s initial five phase roadmap to reopen the country from the coronavirus lockdown by August was “too slow,”
“We’re now working on revising phases four and five, so that we can have the country almost fully opened by the middle of July instead of the middle of August,” Mr Varadkar said.
“So the kind of things we are looking at is bringing forward the reopening of hairdressers and the salons, and a couple of the things like that,” he said. Work on amalgamating the latter half of the plan would be completed this week, he said.
Hairdressers and beauty salons were due to reopen on July 20th as part of the initial five-phase plan, with groups in the sector calling for outlets to be allowed to resume business earlier.
Mr Varadkar cautioned the plan was contingent on the virus being kept under control. “There is always the risk that it might make a comeback … It is possible that the worst is over, but it’s not over yet,” he said.
The topic of face masks has been discussed among the medical and health profession, with some experts calling for them to be made mandatory and others disagreeing.
Current advice from health officials in Ireland is that people are encouraged to wear coverings on public transport, shops and areas where people cannot maintain physical distancing.
Speaking earlier this week, chief medical officer Tony Holohan said Irish people can "do better" at wearing coverings to suppress the spread of the virus.
The National Public Health Emergency Team is also due to consider its advice for t he wearing of face coverings for over-60s.
Dr Cillian De Gascun, director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, said his recommendation is that people should wear face coverings if they are in a situation where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Speaking on RTÉ radio's Today with Sarah McInerney show on Wednesday, Dr De Gascun said it had not been his intention, when commenting on cloth coverings at the Covid Committee on Tuesday, to cause confusion or reduce compliance.
He said his understanding of the most recent WHO recommendation, which was issued last weekend, was that cloth coverings can work for asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission.
“In that context it means previously we would have recommended masks for people who are symptomatic, masks have been used long before Covid-19 and will be used long into the future,” Dr De Gascun said.
“People who are symptomatic, anybody with a respiratory tract infection, if they can tolerate wearing a mask they should be wearing a mask when they go into hospital, to prevent onward transmission from somebody who is infected with something be it influenza or another human coronavirus.”
Masks are also used by healthcare workers to protect themselves when providing care to people who are infected with respiratory viruses, he added.
“What we’re talking about now is moving that out of the health care sector and into the community and the evidence around masks in the community - but there’s not a strong evidence base for it. Purely because a lot of the studies haven’t been done.
“We’re extrapolating from other viruses. We believe there is a role to play for masks or for cloth face coverings, but it’s only in the setting where physical distancing is not possible.”
Dr De Gascun said it was important “to get the nuance”: the absence of evidence doesn’t necessarily mean that it doesn’t work.
Currently, the public has been advised to not use medical-grade face masks, to ensure adequate supply remained for healthcare workers.
The new WHO guidance about medical-grade masks has not yet been reviewed by NPHET, he said.
There was good evidence that medical grade masks are better which was why they were worn by healthcare workers and why they should be preserved for healthcare workers, Dr De Gascun said.
“There are other concerns, such as waste issues, if people don’t use [masks] appropriately they can increase risk.
If I’m wearing a face mask and I contaminate it then I can contaminate my hands and I can contaminate surfaces - so they are not a magic shield. We also want to ensure that people continue to practise good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and physical distancing,” he added.
In an effort to clarify how to wear face coverings Dr De Gascun said they did not need to be worn in the open air or while driving a car.
“In essence these things need to be single-use. What we want people in the community to do is if they’re going to the shop or on public transport, when they get there, they put on the mask, sanitise their hands and do their shopping,” he said.
“When they come back out, whether to the open air or into their car they take off the mask, put it in a bag and sanitise their hands again. If it is a cloth one, you bring it home and you wash it at 60 degrees Celsius.”
Continued supply of medical-grade PPE was another reason behind NPHET’s recommendation to use non-medical face coverings.
The State ordered several consignments of medical-grade PPE as a result of “significant challenges” sourcing protective equipment during the peak of the pandemic as a result of high demand.
The most visible aspect of the State's efforts to secure PPE has been the "airbridge" strategy, which saw Aer Lingus flights chartered by the HSE to ferry hundreds of millions of euros worth of equipment back from where it was sourced in China. At its peak, this was operating 35 flights per week.
On Wednesday afternoon, the world’s largest aircraft is arriving at Shannon airport to deliver a large consignment of PPE from China.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Nurses the most trusted professionals, survey finds

Healthcare professionals are the most trusted workers in the State , with nurses having the highest levels of trust among the public , according to research from Ipsos MRBI .
The Veracity Index 2020 from the polling company found 97 per cent of people trusted nurses , 96 per cent trusted pharmacists and 95 per cent trusted doctors .
Respondents were for the first time asked their level of trust in the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) , which advises the Government on its Coronavirus strategy , and 91 per cent said they trusted the organisation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a substantial increase in the level of trust they enjoy since the survey was previously done in December 2018 – up 10 percentage points to 32 per cent , slightly ahead of estate agents on 30 per cent .
However , senior politicians have seen an even greater jump in public confidence levels , with 47 per cent expressing trust in Ministers , up 20 points since 2018 and the highest increase in the survey .
EU leaders are higher still at 58 per cent , up 15 points .
Local councillors previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but have now slipped slightly behind to 46 per cent , although this still represents an increase of five points since 2018 .
Respondents had more trust in the “ ordinary person in the street ” than Ministers or councillors , at 54 per cent , but this level of trust has slipped by seven points .
Gardaí have also seen a significant boost in the survey of 1,000 Irish adults that was conducted from May 14th-24th , with 82 per cent finding them trustworthy , an increase of nine points .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were trusted by 83 per cent of those surveyed .
Respondents expressed strong belief that television newsreaders were truthful with 77 per cent saying they trusted them , but far fewer trusted journalists in general with just 42 per cent saying they were trustworthy .
Of the 27 professions selected , teachers , scientists and judges all made it into the top ten most trusted .
Advertising executives were the second least trusted on 17 per cent , but respondents ’ expectations of social media influencers were the lowest of all with just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the truth .

Survey found 97 per cent of people trusted nurses, 96 per cent trusted pharmacists and 95 per cent trusted doctors
Healthcare professionals are the most trusted workers in the State, with nurses having the highest levels of trust among the public, according to research from Ipsos MRBI.
The Veracity Index 2020 from the polling company found 97 per cent of people trusted nurses, 96 per cent trusted pharmacists and 95 per cent trusted doctors.
Respondents were for the first time asked their level of trust in the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), which advises the Government on its Coronavirus strategy, and 91 per cent said they trusted the organisation to tell the truth.
Politicians have seen a substantial increase in the level of trust they enjoy since the survey was previously done in December 2018 – up 10 percentage points to 32 per cent, slightly ahead of estate agents on 30 per cent .
READ MORE
However, senior politicians have seen an even greater jump in public confidence levels, with 47 per cent expressing trust in Ministers, up 20 points since 2018 and the highest increase in the survey.
EU leaders are higher still at 58 per cent, up 15 points. Local councillors previously enjoyed higher levels of trust than Ministers but have now slipped slightly behind to 46 per cent, although this still represents an increase of five points since 2018.
Respondents had more trust in the “ordinary person in the street” than Ministers or councillors, at 54 per cent, but this level of trust has slipped by seven points.
Gardaí have also seen a significant boost in the survey of 1,000 Irish adults that was conducted from May 14th-24th, with 82 per cent finding them trustworthy, an increase of nine points. This puts them just behind weather forecasters who were trusted by 83 per cent of those surveyed.
Respondents expressed strong belief that television newsreaders were truthful with 77 per cent saying they trusted them, but far fewer trusted journalists in general with just 42 per cent saying they were trustworthy.
Of the 27 professions selected, teachers, scientists and judges all made it into the top ten most trusted.
Advertising executives were the second least trusted on 17 per cent, but respondents’ expectations of social media influencers were the lowest of all with just 8 per cent trusting them to tell the truth.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Childcare funding plan of €75m aims to keep fees unchanged for parents

Childcare providers will not charge higher fees than they did before the Covid-19 crisis under a €75 million childcare package due to be unveiled by the Government later on Wednesday .
The new funding model will contain four elements – including a one-off reopening grant of €18 million for centre-based providers opening later this month and in August ; a once-off capital grant of€14.2 million ; the continuation of the Revenue temporary wage subsidy scheme until the end of the month ; and the availability of universal and targeted subsidies for parents .
The four measures will run from June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the additional funding measures is that providers must retain parental fees at pre Covid-19 rates .
Minister for Children Katherine Zappone is expected to outline later on Wednesday that she hopes 1,800 childcare services will be in a position to operate this summer .
Under the first element of the plan , which is a once-off reopening grant of €18m , providers can use this funding for additional staffing costs such as help with drop-off and pick-up times or extra cleaning staff to ensure hygiene standards are met .
The funding can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff on guidelines for reopening and to provide additional learning resources , books and toys for each “ play pod.
” The amount of grant for each provider will be based on number of children on department schemes pre-Covid 19 .
Services which open on June 29th or within a week of that date and who stay open until late August will receive higher grants than those reopening in August or September .
Under the plans , providers with fewer than eleven children will receive €2,000 if they reopen later this month or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or September .
Providers with between 12 to 40 children will receive €4,000 if they reopen later this month or €2,000 if they reopen in late August or September .
Providers with between 41 to 100 children will receive €7,000 if they reopen later this month or €3,500 if they reopen in late August or September .
Providers with more than 100 children will receive €10,000 if they reopen later this month or €5,000 if they reopen in late August or September .
The Cabinet approved the plans late on Tuesday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a once-off capital grant of €14.2m .
All registered centre-based services reopening between June 29th and the beginning of September can avail of this .
It can be used to buy outdoor play equipment ; equipment for outdoor shade and shelter to make playing outside easier ; additional toilet facilities ; room dividers for play pods ; screens in reception areas .
Providers with fewer than eleven children will receive €1,000 ; providers with between 12 to 40 children will receive €2,500 ; providers with between 41 to 100 children will receive €4,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will receive €6,000 .
There will also be reopening grants worth €375,000 for childminders worth €500 per childminder .

A funding package of €75m is going to be made available for childcare providers to help them open at the end of June. Photograph: iStock
Childcare providers will not charge higher fees than they did before the Covid-19 crisis under a €75 million childcare package unveiled by the Government.
The new funding model contains four elements: one-off reopening grants from a fund of €18 million for centre-based providers opening later this month and in August; a once-off capital grant of €14.2 million; the continuation of the Revenue-operated temporary wage subsidy scheme until the end of August; and the availability of universal and targeted subsidies for parents.
The plans, however, have been described as “short-sighted” and a “major disappointment”.
The four measures as provided for in the plan will run from June 29th to August 23rd.
READ MORE
A condition of the additional funding is that providers must keep fees at pre-Covid-19 rates.
Minister for Children Katherine Zappone said she hopes 1,800 childcare services will be in a position to operate this summer.
Under the first element of the plan – from a fund of €18 million in once-off reopening grants – providers can use this funding for additional staffing costs such as help with drop-off and pick-up times or extra cleaning staff to ensure hygiene standards are met. The grant can also be used to provide staff training on guidelines for reopening and to provide additional learning resources, books and toys for each “play pod”. To reduce the potential for coronavirus infection children will be kept together in small groups with the same carer throughout the day in play pods.
The amount granted to each provider will be based on the number of children on department schemes before Covid-19.
Services that open on June 29th or within a week of that date and that stay open until late August will receive higher grants than those reopening in August or September.
The Cabinet approved the plans late on Tuesday night.
The second element of the plan involves a once-off capital grant from a fund of €14.2 million. All registered centre-based services reopening between June 29th and the beginning of September can avail of this. The grant can be used to buy outdoor play equipment including outdoor shade and shelter to make playing outside easier; additional toilet facilities; room dividers for play pods; or screens in reception areas.
Childcare providers with fewer than 11 children will receive €1,000; providers with 12-40 children, €2,500; providers with 41-100 children, €4,000, while those with more than 100 children will receive €6,000.
There will also be reopening grants worth €375,000 for childminders, amounting to €500 for each childminder.
Reaction
Seas Suas, the association of independent early learning and care providers, said that while the support package is “useful” it falls short of what is needed.
“The response to this childcare crisis continues to be short-sighted, confusing and lacking in detail. The package, while useful, falls short.
“The average creche cares for approximately 40 children. For the period of this funding package, occupancy levels will fall to as low as 10 children with only one in four returning. With demand down and costs significantly up for at least six months, this funding will quickly run out.
“The extension of the [Covid-19] wage subsidy makes a difference but like the package overall, it has a hard stop of the end of August. The crisis in childcare is not about reopening, it’s about staying open.”
The group estimated that support of €130 million over six months to the end of this year is required.
SIPTU said that the scheme failed to address the major issues in the sector.
Head of organising Darragh O’Connor said that “for months, families have been struggling to balance work and look after children. The funding announced today should see vital childcare services reopen on the 29th June.
“However, even before Covid-19, the sector was in the middle of a low-pay and staffing crisis. A majority of educators [in childcare settings] earn below the [hourly] living wage of €12.30, resulting in an average staff turnover rate of 40 per cent in full day services”.
SIPTU said under the scheme workers would be guaranteed up to 85 per cent of their “already low wages”.
“This vital service cannot be delivered on poverty pay and conditions.”
Sinn Féin TD Kathleen Funchion said the measures represented a “major disappointment”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Healthcare workers: Do you have enough PPE?

As another consignment of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) arrives in Ireland from China , The Irish Times would @ @ @ @ @ workers about access to the equipment .
Have you an adequate supply of PPE in @ @ @ @ @ be a hospital , GP surgery , clinic , nursing home , or other setting @ @ @ @ @ If you are caring for older or vulnerable people in their home , have you @ @ @ @ @ you have any concerns about access to PPE ?
You can use this form to @ @ @ @ @ can attach a photograph of yourself ( or from your workplace ) if you wish @ @ @ @ @ use your name , but if you would prefer to remain anonymous , please indicate @ @ @ @ @ A selection of responses may be published in The Irish Times , or a journalist @ @ @ @ @ information .

Do you have any concerns about access to PPE? Photograph: iStock
As another consignment of personal protective equipment (PPE) arrives in Ireland from China, The Irish Times would like to hear from healthcare workers about access to the equipment.
Have you an adequate supply of PPE in your workplace, whether it be a hospital, GP surgery, clinic, nursing home, or other setting where PPE is required? If you are caring for older or vulnerable people in their home, have you been given enough? Do you have any concerns about access to PPE?
You can use this form to submit your experiences. You can attach a photograph of yourself (or from your workplace) if you wish.
We would prefer to use your name, but if you would prefer to remain anonymous, please indicate this with your submission.
READ MORE
A selection of responses may be published in The Irish Times, or a journalist may contact you for further information.
Thank you.
(If you are reading this in The Irish Times app, click here to access the form.)


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--North’s health Minister rejects Sinn Féin claim lockdown was due to austerity

The North ’ s health Minister Robin Swann has rejected an assertion by Sinn Féin finance Minister Conor Murphy that the reason Northern Ireland went into lockdown was because of under-resourcing of the North ’ s health service .
Mr Murphy claimed on Wednesday morning that lockdown would not have been necessary in Northern Ireland but for British government austerity .
“ If we had a very robust health service which was well resourced then it would have been fit to cope with the pandemic , ” said Mr Murphy .
“ The reason we had to go into lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is because the health service has been under-resourced through austerity cuts for many , many years , ” he told BBC Radio Ulster Good Morning Ulster programme .
“ The fact that we had to go into lockdown is because our health service has suffered from decades of under-investment , ” he added .
Mr Murphy said the North ’ s health service was still suffering from “ nine years of austerity ” .
His comments however prompted a swift response from health Minister Mr Swann who went on the Nolan programme directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murphy ’ s claim .
Mr Swann , who at the outset of crisis was criticised by Sinn Féin for his handling of coronavirus , said he took “ exception ” to the comments .
“ We had to go into lockdown because that was how the rest of the world , that was how Europe , was managing Covid-19 , ” said the Minister .
“ It wasn ’ t because our health service wasn ’ t fit to cope ; no health service was fit to cope with what we saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he agreed with Mr Murphy that the health service was under-resourced but that wasn ’ t the reason Northern Ireland went into lockdown .
“ The reason we went into lockdown was how we were going to manage the spread of Covid-19 .
That was the method that was used across the world , ” he said .
“ It wasn ’ t because our health service wasn ’ t fit for purpose that we went into lockdown .
That was how every other country across Europe , that ’ s how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how Taiwan – all those good models that are held up to me – managed Covid-19.
” The Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said “ Sinn Féin ’ s anti-British political agenda never rests ” .
“ Hence , today ’ s preposterous claim by Murphy that austerity necessitated lockdown .
Next , it will be that every job now lost is down to the wicked Brits , ” he added .
“ Sinn Féin was the chief cheerleader for lockdown , agitating for more and urging anger in response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added , “ Everyone knows lockdown was to stop the spread of the virus – clearly Murphy thinks he knew better than the medical advice his Executive was receiving .
“ This absurd and ridiculous outburst from the man who boasted of a non-existing PPE order with Dublin , demonstrates the dysfunctionality that continues to hallmark the Executive .
”

Conor Murphy said: ‘The reason we had to go into lockdown is because the health service has been under-resourced through austerity cuts for many, many years’. Photograph: PA
For the fourth day in succession the North's Department of Health reported no deaths from coronavirus in Northern Ireland, where the death toll remains at 537.
The department in its daily bulletin on Wednesday evening also reported that 13 more people tested positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland to 4,818.
So far 61,418 people have been tested in the North for the virus.
Meanwhile, the North's health Minister Robin Swann of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) rejected an assertion by Sinn Féin finance Minister Conor Murphy that the reason Northern Ireland went into lockdown was because of under-resourcing of the North's health service.
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Mr Murphy claimed on Wednesday morning that lockdown would not have been necessary in Northern Ireland but for what he described as British government austerity.
“If we had a very robust health service which was well resourced then it would have been fit to cope with the pandemic,” said Mr Murphy on Wednesday.
“The reason we had to go into lockdown, and people should understand this, is because the health service has been under-resourced through austerity cuts for many, many years,” he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme.
“The fact that we had to go into lockdown is because our health service has suffered from decades of under-investment,” he added.
His comments prompted a swift response from Mr Swann who rebutted Mr Murphy’s claim.
Mr Swann, who at the outset of crisis was criticised by Sinn Féin for his handling of coronavirus, said he took “exception” to the comments.
"We had to go into lockdown because that was how the rest of the world, that was how Europe, was managing Covid-19," he said.
“It wasn’t because our health service wasn’t fit to cope; no health service was fit to cope with what we saw,” he added.
Asked about the issue on Wednesday, First Minister Arlene Foster of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said she "did not want to get in a political row".
She did say, however, that “right across the world everybody went into lockdown for a number of reasons and one of those reasons that was common was the fact that we want to protect our health services”.
‘Preposterous claim’
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said "Sinn Féin's anti-British political agenda never rests".
“Hence, [the ] preposterous claim by Murphy that austerity necessitated lockdown. Next, it will be that every job now lost is down to the wicked Brits,” he added.
SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole said Mr Murphy’s comments were “baffling, bizarre and inexplicable”.
Calling on Mr Murphy to clarify his comments he said: “There is, to my knowledge, no evidence suggesting that the reason for the Covid-19 lockdown is the financing of our health service. Indeed other developed economies which spend a higher proportion of GDP on health services have also entered lockdown to prevent onward transmission of the virus and save lives.”
Later on Wednesday, Mr Murphy said it was “very clear that the lockdown was necessary to save lives, to slow the spread of the virus and prevent the health service from being overwhelmed”.
“There is no doubt that 10 years of Tory austerity and cuts, underfunding and lack of investment negatively impacted on the capacity of the health service to respond to the pandemic and on the extent and length of the lockdown,” he added.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Two men arrested in relation to man’s death in Dublin released

Two men , aged in their 30s , who were arrested in relation to the death of Alan Hall in Dublin last month , have been released without charge .
Hall ( 45 ) was found dead in a house in Clondalkin on May 18th , but the exact cause of the Mr Hall ’ s death remains unclear .
He was found with extensive injuries consistent with an attack but there were also signs of smoke inhalation .
A postmortem could not definitively state if the victim was murdered , meaning the investigation has not yet been upgraded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested Monday morning in the Dublin area and were detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act , 1984 at Clondalkin and Lucan Garda stations .
Gardaí hoped the arrest and questioning of the two men would progress the investigation .
However , they have now been released without charge and files will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions .
Last month gardaí based in the Clondalkin station issued an appeal for assistance from members of the public .
Mr Hall is understood to have lived alone at the house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from homeless services .
It is understood that Mr Hall previously worked as a butcher and while he was known to gardaí , he was not a serious criminal and he had not come to the attention of the Garda for some time .
His body was only discovered on the morning of May 18th , after neighbours were alerted by the fire alarm .
Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene and discovered Mr Hall ’ s remains .
Supt Seamus Dalton then said gardaí were “ conducting a criminal investigation into all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gardaí are continuing to appeal to anyone with information who has not yet come forward , particularly anybody who was in the vicinity of Bluebell Avenue , Old Naas Road , Dublin 12 , on either the evening of Sunday , May 17th into the morning of Monday , May 18th , 2020 to contact Gardaí at Clondalkin on 01 666 7600 .

A postmortem could not definitively state if the victim was murdered, meaning the investigation has not yet been upgraded to a murder inquiry
Two men, aged in their 30s, who were arrested in relation to the death of Alan Hall in Dublin last month, have been released without charge.
Hall (45) was found dead in a house in Clondalkin on May 18th, but the exact cause of the Mr Hall's death remains unclear.
He was found with extensive injuries consistent with an attack but there were also signs of smoke inhalation.
A postmortem could not definitively state if the victim was murdered, meaning the investigation has not yet been upgraded to a murder inquiry.
READ MORE
Two suspects were arrested Monday morning in the Dublin area and were detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Clondalkin and Lucan Garda stations.
Gardaí hoped the arrest and questioning of the two men would progress the investigation.
However, they have now been released without charge and files will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Last month gardaí based in the Clondalkin station issued an appeal for assistance from members of the public.
Mr Hall is understood to have lived alone at the house on Bluebell Avenue and was receiving assistance from homeless services.
It is understood that Mr Hall previously worked as a butcher and while he was known to gardaí, he was not a serious criminal and he had not come to the attention of the Garda for some time.
His body was only discovered on the morning of May 18th, after neighbours were alerted by the fire alarm.
Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene and discovered Mr Hall's remains. Supt Seamus Dalton then said gardaí were "conducting a criminal investigation into all the circumstances" surrounding the case.
Gardaí are continuing to appeal to anyone with information who has not yet come forward, particularly anybody who was in the vicinity of Bluebell Avenue, Old Naas Road, Dublin 12, on either the evening of Sunday, May 17th into the morning of Monday, May 18th, 2020 to contact Gardaí at Clondalkin on 01 666 7600.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Teenager released without charge in Carrigaline stabbing case

Gardaí investigating the stabbing of a 17-year-old in Carrigaline in Co Cork that was filmed and posted online have released a 15-year-old without charge who was arrested for questioning about the weekend incident .
A 17-year-old local youth suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries when he was alledgedly slashed and stabbed with a bottle after a row broke out in the Waterpark area of Carrigaline at around 10.25pm on June 6th .
The alarm was raised and gardaí including uniformed officers , detectives and members of the Armed Support Unit responded with members of the ASU giving first aid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was later taken to Cork University Hospital where he underwent surgery for “ non-life threatening ” injuries and he was discharged from CUH on Sunday night .
Gardaí arrested a 17-year-old suspect near the scene shortly after the incident and he was later brought before Cork District Court and charged with robbery and assault causing harm to the Carrigaline teenager .
The 17-year-old accused has since been released on bail with strict conditions including that he stay off social media and is due to appear at Cork Children ’ s Court on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directions on the matter .
The assault was filmed and posted online on social media and over the course of the weekend , it went viral with more than 16,000 tweets being posted about the attack which has shocked locals in Cork .
On Tuesday , gardaí investigating the incident arrested a 15-year-old youth at his home in the greater Cork area and he was taken to Togher Garda Station where he was questioned about the attack .
The 15-year-old was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows gardaí @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he was released on Tuesday evening and gardaí will now prepare a file on him for the DPP .
Meanwhile , gardaí met two other 17-year-old youths by appointment on Tuesday at a Garda station in the greater Cork area and interviewed them after caution about the attack on the teenager in Carrigaline .

He was later taken to Cork University Hospital where he underwent surgery for “non-life threatening” injuries. Photograph: iStock
Gardaí investigating the stabbing of a 17-year-old in Carrigaline in Co Cork that was filmed and posted online have released a 15-year-old without charge who was arrested for questioning about the weekend incident.
A 17-year-old local youth suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries when he was alledgedly slashed and stabbed with a bottle after a row broke out in the Waterpark area of Carrigaline at around 10.25pm on June 6th.
The alarm was raised and gardaí including uniformed officers, detectives and members of the Armed Support Unit responded with members of the ASU giving first aid to the injured teenager at the scene.
He was later taken to Cork University Hospital where he underwent surgery for “non-life threatening” injuries and he was discharged from CUH on Sunday night.
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Gardaí arrested a 17-year-old suspect near the scene shortly after the incident and he was later brought before Cork District Court and charged with robbery and assault causing harm to the Carrigaline teenager.
The 17-year-old accused has since been released on bail with strict conditions including that he stay off social media and is due to appear at Cork Children’s Court on July 10th for the DPP’s directions on the matter.
The assault was filmed and posted online on social media and over the course of the weekend, it went viral with more than 16,000 tweets being posted about the attack which has shocked locals in Cork.
On Tuesday, gardaí investigating the incident arrested a 15-year-old youth at his home in the greater Cork area and he was taken to Togher Garda Station where he was questioned about the attack.
The 15-year-old was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows gardaí detain suspects for up to 24 hours but he was released on Tuesday evening and gardaí will now prepare a file on him for the DPP.
Meanwhile, gardaí met two other 17-year-old youths by appointment on Tuesday at a Garda station in the greater Cork area and interviewed them after caution about the attack on the teenager in Carrigaline.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--World’s largest aircraft to land in Shannon with PPE from China

The world ’ s largest aircraft is due to land in Shannon Airport on Wednesday afternoon with a consignment of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) from China .
The six-engine Antonov An-225 Mriya jet , the only one in the world , is carrying the single largest consignment of PPE equipment to be flown into Ireland on any one plane .
The aircraft is arriving at Shannon Airport because it has the longest runway in Ireland , and is the only Irish airport that can accommodate the size of the plane .
The flight is scheduled to arrive at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was previously due to arrive on Tuesday afternoon but was delayed after experiencing a technical issue .
It is its fourth time visiting Shannon airport , with the other three arrivals being transit flights in which they stopped in Ireland for fuel .
Niall Maloney , Director of Operations at Shannon Airport , said the aircraft is “ the size of Croke Park ” .
“ It ’ s a 640-tonne beast of an aircraft .
If I managed to put nine 737s together , it ’ s the same weight as nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feat of aeronautical engineering , ” Mr Maloney told Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio One .
“ It ’ s done its route from China , to Kazakhstan , it has just taken off from Azerbaijan .
and we expect it to be in Shannon at about 10 past two this afternoon .
The most important part is it is bringing PPE into Ireland .
It ’ s got nearly 900,000 surgical gowns and other medical equipment on board.
” Mr Maloney described the history of the aircraft , which was designed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Soviet rule at the time , but it is an Ukrainian-owned aircraft now and it was part of the space programme , ” he said .
“ It really lost its way .
It was a moth ball for about eight years but it came back in the late 1990s as a commercial plane and literally has just been flying the longest pieces ever flown in an aircraft , the heaviest pieces ever flown in an aircraft.
” Mr Maloney added that the airport was “ delighted to be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to come to the airport to view the plane due to social distancing measures .
“ We ’ re asking people not to come to the airport , because the last time it came to Shannon there were 3,000 people who came to the fences to look at the plane .
You can track the plane on an app like flight radar , ” he said .

A view of the response at Shannon Airport after the world’s largest aircraft touched down with PPE equipment. Photograph: Arthur Ellis
The world's largest aircraft landed in Shannon Airport this afternoon with a significant consignment of personal protective equipment (PPE) from China.
The unique six-engine Antonov An-225 Mriya jet is carrying the single largest airborne consignment of PPE equipment to be flown into Ireland.
The aircraft arrived at Shannon Airport because it has the longest runway in Ireland and is the only Irish airport that can accommodate this plane.
Very proud of the work done by @HSELive to secure PPE supply lines. This was not an easy task. Thanks @paulreiddublin & colleagues for your leadership https://t.co/952GUCdIP8 — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 10, 2020
The world’s largest aircraft touches down at Shannon Airport with PPE equipment. Photograph: Arthur Ellis
The plane was previously due to arrive on Tuesday afternoon but was delayed after experiencing a technical issue.
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It is its fourth visit to Shannon Airport, with the other three being transit flights in which it stopped in Ireland to refuel.
Niall Maloney, director of operations at Shannon Airport, said the aircraft is "the size of Croke Park".
"It's a 640-tonne beast of an aircraft. If I managed to put nine 737s together, it's the same weight as nine 737s. It's a fantastic feat of aeronautical engineering," Mr Maloney told Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1.
"It's done its route from China, to Kazakhstan, it has just taken off from Azerbaijan. and we expect it to be in Shannon at about 2.10[pm]. The most important part is it is bringing PPE into Ireland. It's got nearly 900,000 surgical gowns and other medical equipment on board."
Mr Maloney also outlined the history of the aircraft, which was designed in the 1980s.
He said the aircraft was designed for use in the Soviet space programme but was subsequently mothballed for about eight years.
The worlds largest jet, Antonov An-225 ‘Mriya’, has been in Ireland three times previously. Photograph: Sean Curtin
He said the now-Ukrainian-owned aircraft resumed flying in the “late 1990s as a commercial plane and literally has just been flying the longest pieces ever flown in an aircraft, the heaviest pieces ever flown in an aircraft”.
Mr Maloney said the airport was “delighted to be able to play our part” in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, but urged people not to come to the airport to view the plane due to social distancing measures.
“We’re asking people not to come to the airport, because the last time it came to Shannon there were 3,000 people who came to the fences to look at the plane. You can track the plane on an app like flight radar,” he said.
In a statement, the HSE said the PPE consignment consisted of 900,000 “isolation gowns” manufactured in China.
“The volume of this consignment represents approximately 12.5 days’ worth of stock based on current demand,” a spokeswoman said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Boy (13) dies and another boy seriously injured in Co Westmeath crash

A 13-year-old boy has died following a single-vehicle road in Co Westmeath early on Wednesday morning .
Gardaí are investigating @ @ @ @ @ in the Lisclogher Great area of Delvin , Co Westmeath , at approximately 2.15am .
@ @ @ @ @ the car was pronounced dead at the scene , and his body has been removed @ @ @ @ @ Regional Hospital , Mulingar .
Another male , aged in his teens , has been @ @ @ @ @ , and it is understood he is in critical condition .
Three other male teenagers @ @ @ @ @ threatening injuries .
It is understood the car involved had come to the attention of @ @ @ @ @ and a referral has been made to An Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission ( Gsoc ) @ @ @ @ @ examined by Garda forensic staff .
Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information , particularly @ @ @ @ @ have dash cam footage of the area between 1.45am and 2.30am , to contact them @ @ @ @ @ 4000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 .

A damaged tree trunk at the scene of a fatal single-vehicle crash at Lisclougher Great, near Delvin, Co Westmeath. Photograph: Collins
Two separate investigations have been launched into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 13-year-old boy who was killed in a car crash shortly after gardaí tried to stop the vehicle.
Joseph Anderson, a sixth class student, was travelling in the car along with four other young teens when it crashed in the Lisclougher Great area of Delvin, Westmeath at 2.30am on Wednesday. He died at the scene.
Another boy remains in critical condition following the crash while the other three escaped with non-life threatening injuries.
The scene of a single vehicle crash at Lisclougher Great, near Delvin, Co. Westmeath. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
It is understood one of the boys had taken their parents’ car without permission prior to the crash. Gardaí had been alerted about the vehicle driving erratically. An armed unit in the area later spotted it and signalled for it to pull over.
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Investigators believe this caused the driver to panic and drive off before crashing shortly afterwards. Sources said the car was not being chased when the crash occurred.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) has launched an investigation into the Garda's interaction with the vehicle prior to the incident. This is standard protocol whenever a fatality occurs following an interaction with gardaí.
Garda Forensic Collision Investigators have also launched an inquiry and are appealing for anyone in in the area between 1.45am and 2.30am to contact Mullingar Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line.
The five teenagers were from the towns of Delvin, Co Westmeath and Athboy, Co Meath where they were students at both primary and post-primary levels.
Joseph Anderson, from Devlin, was a sixth-class student in Clonmellon NS and was due to start post-primary school in September in Athboy, where at least one of the other boys is a student.
The boy fighting for his life with severe injuries in Mullingar General Hospital is a 15-year-old, also from Delvin and with strong Athboy family connections.
Chairman of Meath County Council and Athboy resident David Gilroy said the shock and disbelief of the tragedy had brought the town to a standstill.
“The town woke up to the news this morning and the shock and disbelief has brought it to a standstill. No-one can quite believe it.”
Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information, particularly any road users who may have dash cam footage of the area between 1.45am and 2.30am, to contact them at Mullingar on 044 938 4000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Coronavirus: More than £60m worth of PPE arrives in North from China

A consignment of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) has arrived in Northern Ireland from China .
The North ’ s Department of Health ( DoH ) said the more than £60m order was the result of a “ joint endeavour ” in conjunction with the Department of Finance and the Executive Office as well as the Northern Ireland Bureau and Invest NI in China , which had developed the supply line .
So far 1.5 million type 11R respirator masks have arrived out of a total of 63 million masks and 54.6 million pairs of gloves .
The remainder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a phased basis over coming weeks , the DoH said .
It is the first such delivery to arrive in the North from China since it emerged that an order which the North ’ s finance minister , Conor Murphy , announced in March had been made jointly with the Irish government had not in fact been placed .
At the time Mr Murphy said Northern officials on the ground in China would seek to procure PPE from a different supplier .
The health minister , Robin Swann , said the PPE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff after they are assessed , but he was “ pleased to confirm that the reports on the new consignment are positive in this regard .
”

Health minister Robin Swann said the PPE products would only be issued to frontline staff after they are assessed. Photograph: iStock
A consignment of personal protective equipment (PPE) has arrived in Northern Ireland from China.
The North's Department of Health (DoH) said the more than £60m order was the result of a "joint endeavour" in conjunction with the Department of Finance and the Executive Office as well as the Northern Ireland Bureau and Invest NI in China, which had developed the supply line.
So far 1.5 million type 11R respirator masks have arrived out of a total of 63 million masks and 54.6 million pairs of gloves. The remainder of the order is to be delivered in a phased basis over coming weeks, the DoH said.
It is the first such delivery to arrive in the North from China since it emerged that an order which the North's finance minister, Conor Murphy, announced in March had been made jointly with the Irish government had not in fact been placed.
READ MORE
At the time Mr Murphy said Northern officials on the ground in China would seek to procure PPE from a different supplier.
The health minister, Robin Swann, said the PPE products would only be issued to frontline staff after they are assessed, but he was "pleased to confirm that the reports on the new consignment are positive in this regard."


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Childcare providers wait with ‘bated breath’ for funding announcement

Representatives of the childcare sector have warned they will not be able to open on June 29th unless the Government makes a decision this week about funding .
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs was anticipated to have made an announcement last Friday about funding creche and childcare services to allow them to return on June 29th .
Department sources say a decision on funding is imminent .
It will include reopening grants , the restoration of some subsidy funding and capital grants to assist with social distancing , such as wall dividers and perspex tables .
Childcare sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the State ’ s sector-specific wage subsidy scheme .
The aim is to have the sector up and running for a full return to work in late July and early August .
A spokesman for the department said : “ The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is currently finalising details of the supports that will be available for centre-based services and registered childminders that reopen on June 29th , full details will be announced in the coming days.
” Association of Childhood Professionals ( ACP ) chairwoman Marian Quinn said childcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for the announcement .
She said time is running out if a return to childcare facilities is to be allowed on June 29th .
“ If the announcement is not this week , the 29th would not be manageable .
At the end of the week it is only two full weeks before decisions are made.
” Frances Byrne , director of policy and advocacy at Early Childhood Ireland , which represents 3,800 childcare members nationwide , said childcare facilities are facing “ huge costs to restructure their premises and business models @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firmly employed ” .
The Government can “ act now to save the childcare sector , and in turn support other sectors in our economy ” , she said .
“ A well-functioning childcare sector feeds into the competitiveness of our economy , influencing labour market participation rates and parents ’ career choices .
“ It also feeds into ensuring we live in a decent , equitable society , where all children benefit from high-quality early years care and education.
” Elaine Dunne , owner of the Treehouse Montessori in Kilternan , Co @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the last 10 weeks and her fixed outgoings , such as rent and insurance , are €10,000 a month .
“ As soon as I open my door on the 29th , I go back to all of my bills , ” she said .
“ We are looking for sustainability to help us to pay for the changes we need to make within our service .
“ We need to know that when we open our doors , that all our overheads are covered .
That ’ s the big thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence with the sector that we can open up .
“ We can be very confident that we will do everything that is possible for the health , safety and well-being of the children , but we can ’ t guarantee , that Covid-19 will not come into our service because nobody can give that guarantee.
” Siobhán Geissel , the manager of the Kidz Akademy Creche and Preschool in Kilcullen , Co Kildare , said she expects half of the 100 children attending the facility to return at the end of June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell parents what the fees will be for their children without confirmation from the Government as to what funding they intend to provide .
She believes Government support will be essential for the sector to be sustainable during the Covid-19 pandemic .

Childcare facilities will need to bring in social distancing and other safety measures before reopening on June 29th. Photograph: Thierry Roge/Belga Mag/AFP via Getty
Representatives of the childcare sector have warned they will not be able to open on June 29th unless the Government makes a decision this week about funding.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs was anticipated to have made an announcement last Friday about funding creche and childcare services to allow them to return on June 29th.
Department sources say a decision on funding is imminent. It will include reopening grants, the restoration of some subsidy funding and capital grants to assist with social distancing, such as wall dividers and perspex tables. Childcare sector sources are also hopeful of an extension of the State’s sector-specific wage subsidy scheme.
The aim is to have the sector up and running for a full return to work in late July and early August.
READ MORE
A spokesman for the department said: “The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is currently finalising details of the supports that will be available for centre-based services and registered childminders that reopen on June 29th, full details will be announced in the coming days.”
Association of Childhood Professionals (ACP) chairwoman Marian Quinn said childcare providers are waiting with "bated breath" for the announcement.
She said time is running out if a return to childcare facilities is to be allowed on June 29th.
“If the announcement is not this week, the 29th would not be manageable. At the end of the week it is only two full weeks before decisions are made.”
Frances Byrne, director of policy and advocacy at Early Childhood Ireland, which represents 3,800 childcare members nationwide, said childcare facilities are facing "huge costs to restructure their premises and business models and to ensure their staff are kept firmly employed".
The Government can “act now to save the childcare sector, and in turn support other sectors in our economy”, she said.
“A well-functioning childcare sector feeds into the competitiveness of our economy, influencing labour market participation rates and parents’ career choices.
“It also feeds into ensuring we live in a decent, equitable society, where all children benefit from high-quality early years care and education.”
Growing bills
Elaine Dunne, owner of the Treehouse Montessori in Kilternan, Co Dublin, said she has been unemployed for the last 10 weeks and her fixed outgoings, such as rent and insurance, are €10,000 a month.
“As soon as I open my door on the 29th, I go back to all of my bills,” she said.
“We are looking for sustainability to help us to pay for the changes we need to make within our service.
“We need to know that when we open our doors, that all our overheads are covered. That’s the big thing. Parents have to build up a confidence with the sector that we can open up.
“We can be very confident that we will do everything that is possible for the health, safety and well-being of the children, but we can’t guarantee, that Covid-19 will not come into our service because nobody can give that guarantee.”
Siobhán Geissel, the manager of the Kidz Akademy Creche and Preschool in Kilcullen, Co Kildare, said she expects half of the 100 children attending the facility to return at the end of June.
She said she has been unable to tell parents what the fees will be for their children without confirmation from the Government as to what funding they intend to provide.
She believes Government support will be essential for the sector to be sustainable during the Covid-19 pandemic.


theirishtimes--2020-06-10--Childcare package to include reopening grant and funds to upgrade buildings

The Government is finalising a substantial financial package for the childcare sector to ensure it is in a position to reopen and facilitate a wider return to work at the end of the month .
Among the financial measures being considered are a wide range of “ reopening grants ” , while some subsidies which had been suspended while crèches were closed will be restarted .
Capital grants to enable childcare operators to invest in premises to comply with new public health rules are also under discussion , it is understood .
An announcement from the Department of Children and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but sources in the department now say the delayed confirmation of the package is “ imminent ” .
Sources in the childcare sector are also hopeful of an ongoing top-up wage subsidy in addition to the Government ’ s wider wage subsidy scheme .
A spokesman for the department said : “ A funding model to support the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector is currently being finalised .
.
.
the Minister hopes to finalise the plan in the coming days.
” It had been hoped Cabinet would sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an incorporeal meeting , but that did not proceed .
Approval could come as soon as Wednesday , sources said .
Representatives of the childcare sector have warned they will not be able to open on June 29th unless the Government makes a decision this week about funding .
It is understood the funding package will include reopening grants , the restoration of some subsidy funding and capital grants to assist with social distancing , such as wall dividers and Perspex tables .
Childcare sector sources are also hopeful of an extension of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme .
The aim is to have the sector up and running for a full return to work in late July and early August .
Association of Childhood Professionals ( ACP ) chairwoman Marian Quinn said time was running out if a return to childcare facilities is to be allowed on June 29th .
“ If the announcement is not this week , the 29th would not be manageable .
At the end of the week it is only two full weeks before decisions are made.
” Frances Byrne , director of policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which represents 3,800 childcare members nationwide , said childcare facilities are facing “ huge costs to restructure their premises and business models and to ensure their staff are kept firmly employed ” .
Elaine Dunne , owner of the Treehouse Montessori in Kilternan , Co Dublin , said she has been unemployed for the last 10 weeks and her fixed outgoings , such as rent and insurance , are €10,000 a month .
“ As soon as I open my door on the 29th , I go back to all of my bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are looking for sustainability to help us to pay for the changes we need to make within our service .
Siobhán Geissel , the manager of the Kidz Akademy Creche and Preschool in Kilcullen , Co Kildare , said she expects half of the 100 children attending the facility to return at the end of June .
She said she has been unable to tell parents what the fees will be for their children without confirmation from the Government as to what funding they intend to provide .
She believes Government support will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustainable during the Covid-19 pandemic .
It comes as the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) confirmed another nine deaths associated with Covid-19 in the State , bringing the total to 1,691 .
A further nine cases were also diagnosed , meaning 25,215 people have been confirmed to have the disease .
New data on testing shows a total of 367,780 tests have now been carried out , 19,364 of them over the last week .
Some 185 tests were positive , a rate of just under 1 per cent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government could potentially send free face masks to households ahead of the next flu season .
A source said while such a move had not yet been considered “ all options will be examined and reviewed ” .

Capital grants to enable childcare operators to invest in premises to comply with new public health rules are under discussion
The Government is finalising a substantial financial package for the childcare sector to ensure it is in a position to reopen and facilitate a wider return to work at the end of the month.
Among the financial measures being considered are a wide range of “reopening grants”, while some subsidies which had been suspended while crèches were closed will be restarted.
Capital grants to enable childcare operators to invest in premises to comply with new public health rules are also under discussion, it is understood.
An announcement from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs had been anticipated last Friday, but sources in the department now say the delayed confirmation of the package is "imminent".
READ MORE
Sources in the childcare sector are also hopeful of an ongoing top-up wage subsidy in addition to the Government’s wider wage subsidy scheme.
A spokesman for the department said: “A funding model to support the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector is currently being finalised . . . the Minister hopes to finalise the plan in the coming days.”
It had been hoped Cabinet would sign off on the scheme on Tuesday through an incorporeal meeting, but that did not proceed. Approval could come as soon as Wednesday, sources said.
Decision
Representatives of the childcare sector have warned they will not be able to open on June 29th unless the Government makes a decision this week about funding.
It is understood the funding package will include reopening grants, the restoration of some subsidy funding and capital grants to assist with social distancing, such as wall dividers and Perspex tables.
Childcare sector sources are also hopeful of an extension of the State’s sector-specific wage subsidy scheme.
The aim is to have the sector up and running for a full return to work in late July and early August.
Association of Childhood Professionals (ACP) chairwoman Marian Quinn said time was running out if a return to childcare facilities is to be allowed on June 29th.
“If the announcement is not this week, the 29th would not be manageable. At the end of the week it is only two full weeks before decisions are made.”
Frances Byrne, director of policy and advocacy at Early Childhood Ireland, which represents 3,800 childcare members nationwide, said childcare facilities are facing “huge costs to restructure their premises and business models and to ensure their staff are kept firmly employed”.
€10,000 a month
Elaine Dunne, owner of the Treehouse Montessori in Kilternan, Co Dublin, said she has been unemployed for the last 10 weeks and her fixed outgoings, such as rent and insurance, are €10,000 a month.
“As soon as I open my door on the 29th, I go back to all of my bills,” she said.
“We are looking for sustainability to help us to pay for the changes we need to make within our service.
Siobhán Geissel, the manager of the Kidz Akademy Creche and Preschool in Kilcullen, Co Kildare, said she expects half of the 100 children attending the facility to return at the end of June.
She said she has been unable to tell parents what the fees will be for their children without confirmation from the Government as to what funding they intend to provide.
She believes Government support will be essential for the sector to be sustainable during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It comes as the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) confirmed another nine deaths associated with Covid-19 in the State, bringing the total to 1,691. A further nine cases were also diagnosed, meaning 25,215 people have been confirmed to have the disease.
New data on testing shows a total of 367,780 tests have now been carried out, 19,364 of them over the last week. Some 185 tests were positive, a rate of just under 1 per cent.
Meanwhile, a senior source said the Government could potentially send free face masks to households ahead of the next flu season. A source said while such a move had not yet been considered “all options will be examined and reviewed”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--Aer Lingus proposes pay cuts and work changes for staff

Aer Lingus has proposed a wide-ranging set of pay cuts and working practice adjustments for its staff , according to a confidential document shared with unions .
The discussion document outlines a deal which would run until the end of February 2022 , which the airline says is designed to help it navigate the effect of the Covid pandemic on the aviation sector , which it describes as as “ unprecedented ” .
No agreement has been struck on the document , which was characterised by a source as a discussion paper .
According to the document , the changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in terms of operational change and may need to be revisited should the situation worsen ” .
“ The challenge now faced is many many times worse than anything we have experienced previously and will take a number of years to recover from.
” it says the crisis has had a “ devastating impact ” on the business which “ requires immediate action to ensure our survival ” .
It says “ immediate and sustainable work practice changes and efficiencies are now required across Aer Lingus in the face of the greatest crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The document states that “ work practice change will be implemented across all Aer Lingus operational areas ” .
While it states that the proposed deal is to run to February 2022 , it also notes that “ these changes once implemented will last in perpetuity and are irrevocable ” .
The document outlines a series of wide-ranging changes that would link pay to hours worked , which in turn would be determined by “ operation requirements ” .
It states that for the duration of the proposed understanding , there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims served by the group of unions .
Pay , it says , will reflect work available - therefore , three days work rostered in a week will result in 60 per cent pay .
The volume of work will be dependent on operational requirements , the document states .
Notwithstanding this , it says that until the end of August , even operational areas with a 100 per cent requirement in terms of hours will only see pay at 75 per cent of norms .
Conversely , if work requirements in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay will be maintained at half normal levels .
However , such payments will be characterised as “ overpayments to the individual staff members are are subject to recovery from the work group involved ” .
These overpayments will be clawed back , the document suggests , by holding “ work group ” pay to 80 per cent of basic norms when a higher work requirement resumes .
“ Aer Lingus aspires to restoring pay and hours at the earliest feasible time that the market and operating conditions allow .
It is likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis , ” the document states , before again warning that “ should the situation materially deteriorate ( e.g .
a second wave or extended quarantine ) then it will be necessary to re-visit these measures ” .
If the deal is agreed , Aer Lingus is proposing to “ recognise the contribution ” of staff at the end of the deal , either through a once-off payment or “ an appropriate upward revision in pay from that time ” .
This depends several factors , including profitability , the health of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ level of operations pertaining in Aer Lingus at that time ” .
A series of appendices to the document deals with fine detail as to how maintenance , cabin crew and ground staff will be affected , should the proposed deal be agreed .
These include ground operations staff who have historically been given fixed or static duties being asked to “ support the wider operation ( such as boarding ) ” .
Meanwhile , the length duration and times of shifts may vary .
Staff may be assigned the arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate departing flight .
Engineers are being asked to support the use of “ contingent labour .
.
.
in certain circumstances during peak demand and when work is outside the scope of the Aer Lingus team ” .
Cabin crew “ will support the ground operations team in Dublin/Cork and Shannon with the marshalling of passengers.
” Asked about the document on RTÉ ’ s Prime Time programme , Donal Moriarty , chief corporate affairs officer with the carrier , said it was in the early stages of discussions with unions .

According to the document, the changes proposed are ‘the minimum required now in terms of operational change and may need to be revisited should the situation worsen’. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters
Aer Lingus has proposed a wide-ranging set of pay cuts and working practice adjustments for its staff, according to a confidential document shared with unions.
The discussion document outlines a deal which would run until the end of February 2022, which the airline says is designed to help it navigate the effect of the Covid pandemic on the aviation sector, which it describes as as “unprecedented”.
No agreement has been struck on the document, which was characterised by a source as a discussion paper.
According to the document, the changes proposed are “the minimum required now in terms of operational change and may need to be revisited should the situation worsen”.
READ MORE
“The challenge now faced is many many times worse than anything we have experienced previously and will take a number of years to recover from.” it says the crisis has had a “devastating impact” on the business which “requires immediate action to ensure our survival”.
It says “immediate and sustainable work practice changes and efficiencies are now required across Aer Lingus in the face of the greatest crisis that the airline industry has ever experienced.”
No pay increases
The document states that “work practice change will be implemented across all Aer Lingus operational areas”. While it states that the proposed deal is to run to February 2022, it also notes that “these changes once implemented will last in perpetuity and are irrevocable”.
The document outlines a series of wide-ranging changes that would link pay to hours worked, which in turn would be determined by “operation requirements”.
It states that for the duration of the proposed understanding, there will be no pay increases and no pay claims served by the group of unions. Pay, it says, will reflect work available - therefore, three days work rostered in a week will result in 60 per cent pay. The volume of work will be dependent on operational requirements, the document states.
Notwithstanding this, it says that until the end of August, even operational areas with a 100 per cent requirement in terms of hours will only see pay at 75 per cent of norms. Conversely, if work requirements in any area fall below 50 per cent, pay will be maintained at half normal levels. However, such payments will be characterised as “overpayments to the individual staff members are are subject to recovery from the work group involved”. These overpayments will be clawed back, the document suggests, by holding “work group” pay to 80 per cent of basic norms when a higher work requirement resumes.
“Aer Lingus aspires to restoring pay and hours at the earliest feasible time that the market and operating conditions allow. It is likely that this will happen on a phased basis,” the document states, before again warning that “should the situation materially deteriorate (e.g. a second wave or extended quarantine) then it will be necessary to re-visit these measures”.
Variations in shifts
If the deal is agreed, Aer Lingus is proposing to “recognise the contribution” of staff at the end of the deal, either through a once-off payment or “an appropriate upward revision in pay from that time”.
This depends several factors, including profitability, the health of the company’s balance sheet, and the “level of operations pertaining in Aer Lingus at that time”.
A series of appendices to the document deals with fine detail as to how maintenance, cabin crew and ground staff will be affected, should the proposed deal be agreed.
These include ground operations staff who have historically been given fixed or static duties being asked to “support the wider operation (such as boarding)”. Meanwhile, the length duration and times of shifts may vary. Staff may be assigned the arrival of a flight and then reassigned a separate departing flight.
Engineers are being asked to support the use of “contingent labour . . . in certain circumstances during peak demand and when work is outside the scope of the Aer Lingus team”.
Cabin crew “will support the ground operations team in Dublin/Cork and Shannon with the marshalling of passengers.”
Asked about the document on RTÉ’s Prime Time programme, Donal Moriarty, chief corporate affairs officer with the carrier, said it was in the early stages of discussions with unions.


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Four traits you need to ride out the pandemic, Shackleton style

As the pandemic drags on , a lot of people have been looking to history for insights .
Much focus has been on the parallels between coronavirus and past pandemics .
Historians such as Ida Milne have highlighted the significance of the influenza pandemic of 1918 , while Carl Kurlander has drawn attention to polio in the 1940s and 1950s .
There are lots of things to learn from these comparisons , especially about the lasting social and cultural ripples of epidemic disease .
But for ideas about how to cope daily with the situation that we find ourselves in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploits of Ernest Shackleton in the Antarctic .
Through a series of podcasts produced in collaboration with the Athy Shackleton Committee and particularly with Kevin Kenny , I have been wondering : “ What would Shackleton do ?
” I did not become interested in history because of an interest in great men .
I am suspicious of heroes .
And Shackleton is a complex figure beyond the tales of adventure for which he earned his fame during the height of polar exploration .
Yet over the past few weeks I have grown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to people .
He does provide examples of the psychological traits and daily practices that we all need right now .
In 1914 Shackleton wrote about the qualities that he believed every person needed to succeed in life and he put them in a very particular order .
First optimism , then patience , next idealism and last of all courage .
Perhaps if he had made this list in the midst of the first World War he might have arranged them differently .
They reflect his interest in science and discovery balanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was written for boys ) .
Wrenched out of context they still have a lot to offer and , as the podcast series has shown with the input of Shackleton aficionados , it ’ s easy to find examples of them in his adventures .
As Kevin Kenny described for me , Shackleton exemplified optimism and encouraged it in others .
How else can one explain the remarkable survival of the entire crew of the Endurance despite the hardships of living on an ice floe , journeying through difficult seas in tiny lifeboats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the name “ island ” while praying for the success of an improbable rescue mission ?
We need to apply the same stubborn belief in a better future ahead of us .
Think like Frank Hurley with his camera : record the now so we can remind people about it once it has passed .
It ’ s hard to believe but the 1918 flu was referred to as the “ forgotten pandemic ” .
Mix into your optimism a generous dose of patience .
Even after the Endurance sank , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look forward to such as singalongs and a chance to eat next to the stove .
We can do the same as we sit waiting on our metaphorical ice floe , as Seamus Taaffe told me .
Patience is a job of work and not a natural talent .
As Laura Leonard recalled , Shackleton read and wrote poetry .
He believed his endeavours advanced human knowledge and the search for meaning in life .
He was idealistic in ways that we can imitate .
We can also try to maintain a connection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good or a larger purpose .
Healthcare workers and scientists are providing us with inspiring examples of this all the time , as they continue treating difficult cases and working towards an elusive vaccine .
We also need courage of the ordinary kind , not the kind associated with derring-do .
The courage to make decisions , to listen to different views and to act in difficult circumstances .
Jim McAdam told me about Shackleton ’ s decision to turn back during the 1907-1909 Nimrod expedition , less than 100 miles from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned .
He preferred to be , as he put it , a live donkey rather than a dead lion .
The final episode of the podcast looks at kindness , a quality not on Shackleton ’ s list but one he demonstrated from sharing his rations to giving up a warm sleeping bag to accepting a stow away .
We don ’ t need to be saintly ; Shackleton ’ s extramarital affairs certainly suggest he wasn ’ t .
As Jackie Blackwell told me , we can all show more kindness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early and often .
There are more difficult times ahead .
As the Shackleton family motto tells us , “ By Endurance We Conquer .
”

As the pandemic drags on, a lot of people have been looking to history for insights. Much focus has been on the parallels between coronavirus and past pandemics. Historians such as Ida Milne have highlighted the significance of the influenza pandemic of 1918, while Carl Kurlander has drawn attention to polio in the 1940s and 1950s.
There are lots of things to learn from these comparisons, especially about the lasting social and cultural ripples of epidemic disease. But for ideas about how to cope daily with the situation that we find ourselves in, I have looked instead to the exploits of Ernest Shackleton in the Antarctic.
Through a series of podcasts produced in collaboration with the Athy Shackleton Committee and particularly with Kevin Kenny, I have been wondering: "What would Shackleton do?"
I did not become interested in history because of an interest in great men. I am suspicious of heroes. And Shackleton is a complex figure beyond the tales of adventure for which he earned his fame during the height of polar exploration. Yet over the past few weeks I have grown to admire him and what he means to people. He does provide examples of the psychological traits and daily practices that we all need right now.
READ MORE
The four qualities reflect his interest in science and discovery balanced with ideals of masculinity (the piece was written for boys)
In 1914 Shackleton wrote about the qualities that he believed every person needed to succeed in life and he put them in a very particular order. First optimism, then patience, next idealism and last of all courage. Perhaps if he had made this list in the midst of the first World War he might have arranged them differently.
They reflect his interest in science and discovery balanced with ideals of masculinity (the piece was written for boys). Wrenched out of context they still have a lot to offer and, as the podcast series has shown with the input of Shackleton aficionados, it’s easy to find examples of them in his adventures.
Remarkable survival
As Kevin Kenny described for me, Shackleton exemplified optimism and encouraged it in others. How else can one explain the remarkable survival of the entire crew of the Endurance despite the hardships of living on an ice floe, journeying through difficult seas in tiny lifeboats and camping on a rock barely worthy of the name "island" while praying for the success of an improbable rescue mission? We need to apply the same stubborn belief in a better future ahead of us. Think like Frank Hurley with his camera: record the now so we can remind people about it once it has passed. It's hard to believe but the 1918 flu was referred to as the "forgotten pandemic".
Shackleton read and wrote poetry. He believed his endeavours advanced human knowledge and the search for meaning in life
Mix into your optimism a generous dose of patience. Even after the Endurance sank, the crew set routines and made things to look forward to such as singalongs and a chance to eat next to the stove. We can do the same as we sit waiting on our metaphorical ice floe, as Seamus Taaffe told me. Patience is a job of work and not a natural talent.
As Laura Leonard recalled, Shackleton read and wrote poetry. He believed his endeavours advanced human knowledge and the search for meaning in life. He was idealistic in ways that we can imitate. We can also try to maintain a connection to whatever we see as a greater good or a larger purpose. Healthcare workers and scientists are providing us with inspiring examples of this all the time, as they continue treating difficult cases and working towards an elusive vaccine.
Ordinary courage
We also need courage of the ordinary kind, not the kind associated with derring-do. The courage to make decisions, to listen to different views and to act in difficult circumstances. Jim McAdam told me about Shackleton’s decision to turn back during the 1907-1909 Nimrod expedition, less than 100 miles from his goal. He swallowed his disappointment and returned. He preferred to be, as he put it, a live donkey rather than a dead lion.
The final episode of the podcast looks at kindness, a quality not on Shackleton's list but one he demonstrated from sharing his rations to giving up a warm sleeping bag to accepting a stow away. We don't need to be saintly; Shackleton's extramarital affairs certainly suggest he wasn't. As Jackie Blackwell told me, we can all show more kindness to one another by saying thank you early and often.
There are more difficult times ahead. As the Shackleton family motto tells us, “By Endurance We Conquer.”
Dr Juliana Adelman lectures in history at Dublin City University


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Thousands at risk of ‘holiday hunger’ if school meals dropped

Thousands of the country ’ s poorest children are at risk of “ holiday hunger ” if free school meals programmes are not extended – or substituted – through the summer , child advocates warn .
They say the Covid-19 crisis has disproportionately affected low-income families and increased food poverty .
Malnutrition among the most vulnerable children at the end of the summer is a “ serious concern ” when thousands will be left without a guaranteed daily meal .
About 250,000 children , in 1,580 schools , are provided with sandwiches , fruit , milk and snacks under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7,000 children benefited from the pilot free hot meals scheme this year .
It will be extended to a further 35,000 children in September .
The programmes are funded by Department of Social Protection , at a cost of €61.6 million this year .
Despite schools closing on March 13th due to the pandemic , children continued getting food supports in the form of food parcels delivered to their homes – including during the Easter break .
Although the schemes are due to finish at the end of this month – the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their continued provision through the lockdown shows it is possible to continue meal schemes during school holidays .
Over the past 12 weeks food poverty has been a “ key issue ” raised by organisations working with the poorest families , according to Tanya Ward , chief executive of the Children ’ s Rights Alliance .
Having children at home all day has put greater pressure on families ’ food and fuel budgets .
“ We know the school meals programme is one effective way of reaching very vulnerable children…We are calling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help support families who are bearing the weight of this public health crisis and , ultimately , prevent children going hungry .
Holiday hunger isn ’ t acceptable , ” she said .
Meal schemes could be extended , she said , with schools assisted by community and voluntary groups through holiday periods .
Senator Lynn Ruane , who is “ seriously concerned ” about the impact of the end of the school meals programmes on children ’ s nutritional and mental health , echoed calls for community groups to be consulted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programmes “ over the summer months ” .
A spokesman said the Irish National Teachers Organisation also wanted “ vulnerable children [ to be ] fed 52 weeks of the year – through the schools during the school year and exploring other options to ensure children are fed in the community during holiday periods ” .
Pádraig McCabe , board member of the Irish Primary Principals Network and principal of St Mary ’ s National School in Clondalkin , Dublin , is “ passionate about the issue of food poverty ...
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure there would be no issue organising the community to work with the schools.
” British research , published in 2017 by the All-Party Parliamentary Committee on Hunger found : “ Holiday hunger can ... exacerbate summer learning loss , with children who do not get enough to eat over the summer ... returning to school weeks , if not months , intellectually behind their more fortunate peers ” .
A spokeswoman for the Department of Social Protection said : “ The objective of the [ school meals ] scheme is to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unable , due to lack of good quality food , to take full advantage of the education provided to them.
” She said Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty had , however , asked the officials to examine whether “ certain ... children with particular needs over the summer ” could be assisted .
Ahmed Awadalla ( 8 ) “ really misses school , misses his friends , misses everything ” , according to his father , Tarig .
The third-class pupil at Our Lady of Lourdes National School in Inchicore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meal he got there .
He and fellow pupils were among the first to benefit from the pilot hot school meal scheme , funded by the Department of Social Protection .
Delivered to 7,000 children this year , it will be extended to 35,000 more children in September .
“ The hot lunches are very good , ” said Mr Awadalla .
“ He loves it .
To be honest , it is really helpful.
” Since the school closed on March 13th , Ahmed has instead been getting food boxes from Carambola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lunches , delivered to the family home .
“ When the delivery comes , you can not imagine how he is happy , ” said Mr Awadalla .
“ He says : ‘ It ’ s my parcel.
’ His name is on it .
He is eight years old and to have the parcel delivered specially for him , he is so happy.
” Parcel contents vary , he said .
“ Sometimes milk , juice , pasta , pasta sauce , fruits , sometimes onions , carrot , potatoes , stuff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snacks , like that they get in school .
It ’ s good .
It helps.
” Ahmed is one of four boys , aged between one and 15 years .
Tarig and his wife , Habab , originally from Sudan , are refugees and have been in Ireland eight years .
He was a lawyer before they fled their country ’ s civil war .
Mr Awadalla said his English was not good enough to practise law here .
Though he has completed several courses , including one in home insulation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I tried many places , shops , restaurants and they all say no because I have no experience .
So I decide to focus on my kids.
” He gets job-seeker ’ s allowance and the family live in a council home .
“ Definitely money is a worry with children.
” Food costs had increased during the lockdown , he said .
“ When you stay home , you feel stress , you find yourself inside the kitchen looking for something to eat .
So we were eating more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day long at home .
It is stress .
“ The parcels they help a lot , not just financially , emotionally too .
You feel this country is taking care of you , they are helping you even with this small thing .
It makes you happy , feel good .
When you are happy , you are healthy .
We save some money and it all helps.
” Asked if he would like food supports to continue through the summer , he said : “ I am not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they stop , but it will help if it keeps going .
”

Ahmed Awadalla (8), a student at Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Goldenbridge, Dublin, with his dad, Tarig Awadalla. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Thousands of the country’s poorest children are at risk of “holiday hunger” if free school meals programmes are not extended – or substituted – through the summer, child advocates warn.
They say the Covid-19 crisis has disproportionately affected low-income families and increased food poverty.
Malnutrition among the most vulnerable children at the end of the summer is a “serious concern” when thousands will be left without a guaranteed daily meal.
About 250,000 children, in 1,580 schools, are provided with sandwiches, fruit, milk and snacks under the school meals programme, while a further 7,000 children benefited from the pilot free hot meals scheme this year.
READ MORE
It will be extended to a further 35,000 children in September.
The programmes are funded by Department of Social Protection, at a cost of €61.6 million this year.
Despite schools closing on March 13th due to the pandemic, children continued getting food supports in the form of food parcels delivered to their homes – including during the Easter break.
Although the schemes are due to finish at the end of this month – the end of the school year – campaigners say their continued provision through the lockdown shows it is possible to continue meal schemes during school holidays.
Over the past 12 weeks food poverty has been a "key issue" raised by organisations working with the poorest families, according to Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance.
Having children at home all day has put greater pressure on families’ food and fuel budgets.
“We know the school meals programme is one effective way of reaching very vulnerable children…We are calling for its extension through the summer months to help support families who are bearing the weight of this public health crisis and, ultimately, prevent children going hungry. Holiday hunger isn’t acceptable,” she said.
Meal schemes could be extended, she said, with schools assisted by community and voluntary groups through holiday periods.
Senator Lynn Ruane, who is "seriously concerned" about the impact of the end of the school meals programmes on children's nutritional and mental health, echoed calls for community groups to be consulted, along with schools, on extending meals programmes "over the summer months".
Community distribution
A spokesman said the Irish National Teachers Organisation also wanted "vulnerable children [to be] fed 52 weeks of the year – through the schools during the school year and exploring other options to ensure children are fed in the community during holiday periods".
Pádraig McCabe, board member of the Irish Primary Principals Network and principal of St Mary's National School in Clondalkin, Dublin, is "passionate about the issue of food poverty...If the funding was made available, I am sure there would be no issue organising the community to work with the schools."
British research, published in 2017 by the All-Party Parliamentary Committee on Hunger found: “Holiday hunger can... exacerbate summer learning loss, with children who do not get enough to eat over the summer... returning to school weeks, if not months, intellectually behind their more fortunate peers”.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Social Protection said: “The objective of the [school meals] scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them.”
She said Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty had, however, asked the officials to examine whether "certain...children with particular needs over the summer" could be assisted.
Case study
Ahmed Awadalla (8) “really misses school, misses his friends, misses everything”, according to his father, Tarig.
The third-class pupil at Our Lady of Lourdes National School in Inchicore, Dublin, also misses the daily hot meal he got there.
He and fellow pupils were among the first to benefit from the pilot hot school meal scheme, funded by the Department of Social Protection. Delivered to 7,000 children this year, it will be extended to 35,000 more children in September.
“The hot lunches are very good,” said Mr Awadalla. “He loves it. To be honest, it is really helpful.”
Since the school closed on March 13th, Ahmed has instead been getting food boxes from Carambola, the company that provides the hot lunches, delivered to the family home.
“When the delivery comes, you cannot imagine how he is happy,” said Mr Awadalla. “He says: ‘It’s my parcel.’ His name is on it. He is eight years old and to have the parcel delivered specially for him, he is so happy.”
Parcel contents vary, he said. “Sometimes milk, juice, pasta, pasta sauce, fruits, sometimes onions, carrot, potatoes, stuff like this for kids. There are snacks, like that they get in school. It’s good. It helps.”
Ahmed is one of four boys, aged between one and 15 years. Tarig and his wife, Habab, originally from Sudan, are refugees and have been in Ireland eight years. He was a lawyer before they fled their country's civil war.
Mr Awadalla said his English was not good enough to practise law here. Though he has completed several courses, including one in home insulation, he has been unable to get work. “I tried many places, shops, restaurants and they all say no because I have no experience. So I decide to focus on my kids.”
He gets job-seeker’s allowance and the family live in a council home. “Definitely money is a worry with children.” Food costs had increased during the lockdown, he said.
“When you stay home, you feel stress, you find yourself inside the kitchen looking for something to eat. So we were eating more to be honest. And the kids all the day long at home. It is stress.
“The parcels they help a lot, not just financially, emotionally too. You feel this country is taking care of you, they are helping you even with this small thing. It makes you happy, feel good. When you are happy, you are healthy. We save some money and it all helps.”
Asked if he would like food supports to continue through the summer, he said: “I am not going to say it will be a disaster if they stop, but it will help if it keeps going.”