theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Covid-19: NPHET recommends State moves to Level 5 restrictions for four weeks

The National Health Emergency Team has tonight recommended the State be moved to Level 5 restrictions for a period of four weeks to curb a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases .
Such a move would have serious economic and societal implications , and has taken the Government by surprise .
The Cabinet has yet to discuss such a significant escalation in restrictions .
At the moment most counties are at Level 2 , with the exception of Dublin and Donegal , which are at Level 3 .
It remains to be seen whether the NPHET recommendations will be adopted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government level .
It is understood a meeting of NPHET earlier on Sunday decided enhanced measures were required due to serious concern at the rate of spread of the virus .
Senior health sources said members of NPHET were “ very worried ” by recent trends in the growth of the virus .
The team was concerned by the trajectory of the virus across all metrics that it measures , including the five-day , week-long and 14-day incidence rate .
“ Everything is going in one direction , ” the source said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice on Saturday in light of deteriorating case numbers across the board .
Some 613 new cases were reported on Saturday .
While the NPHET advice was shared with the Government this evening , a letter formally setting out their position is likely to be sent tonight or tomorrow by the Chief Medical Officer , Dr Tony Holohan , who returned from an extended period of leave taken for personal reasons to chair today ’ s meeting .
Level 5 restrictions will see people asked to stay home except when exercising within five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their home , no social gatherings other than funerals or weddings , so called wet pubs must close , unless they can offer a takeaway service .
However , all educational facilities , including schools , creches and universities will remain open .
At the moment , third level colleges are at level three restrictions and tuition has been moved online where possible .
The Government will then have to assess the NPHET advice .
This process may involve input from the senior group of officials led by Martin Fraser , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Taoiseach , and the Cabinet Covid subcommittee .
Earlier , Government sources indicated that there was no plan to hold an incorporeal Cabinet meeting this evening .
A total of 364 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in the State on Sunday , with no new deaths related to the condition .
The total of Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic of Ireland remains at 1,810 , and the total of confirmed cases stands at 38,032 .
Of the cases notified today , 195 are in men and 168 are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persons under 45 years , 27 per cent are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case , and 42 cases have been identified as due to community transmission .
Of Sunday ’ s new cases , 100 were in Dublin , 55 in Cork and 31 in Donegal .
There were 24 cases in Limerick , 23 in Galway , 17 in Clare , 14 in Sligo , 13 in Roscommon , 10 in Kerry , eight in Tipperary , eight in Wicklow , seven in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Offaly , five in Cavan , five in Mayo and five in Meath , with the remaining 27 cases in nine counties .
Covid-19 admissions to hospital and intensive care have remained relatively stable in recent days , as the number of new cases increased substantially .
Twenty-two virus patients were in ICU this morning , the same as the previous Wednesday .
Hospitalised patients increased from 122 to 134 over the period .
NPHET met at short notice on Sunday amid mounting concern over the rising levels of Covid-19 diagnosis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 132 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in hospital at 8pm on Saturday evening , an increase from 114 on Thursday .
Statistics on Friday ’ s total were not immediately available on the HSE ’ s website .
There are 20 patients in intensive care .
Asked earlier whether level four restrictions would be imposed in some parts of the country , Green Party leader and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said : “ I hope we can avoid that .
I think we ’ re going to have to do everything to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was considering a “ circuit breaker ” lockdown , which is being eyed by the devolved government in Stormont , Mr Ryan said : “ We haven ’ t discussed it here yet .
We put in those five levels and that ’ s the approach we ’ re going to take .
“ The Government hasn ’ t been looking at circuit breakers or getting away from that approach , ” he said .
Speaking earlier on Sunday , Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said he was concerned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
“ The numbers are deeply concerning and the current trend we are witnessing is not sustainable , ” he told RTÉ Radio ’ s This Week programme .
The figures also show there have been 301 cases of Covid-19 among healthcare workers in the past fortnight , almost 6 per cent of all cases .
Dublin has the highest cumulative incidence of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic , having surpassed the figure for Cavan again in recent days .
Kerry has had the fewest cases relative to population .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ green list ” now have incidences of the virus higher than the threshold of 25 per 100,000 people , according to the latest figures from the European Centre for Disease Control .
Cyprus , Liechtenstein and Latvia ’ s figures are above the limit for inclusion on the green list of countries for which no self-restriction requirement exists for incoming travellers .
On the basis of current figures , only Finland would qualify for inclusion on the list when it is updated next Thursday .

The meeting is being chaired by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, who has returned from an extended period of leave. Photograph: PA
The National Health Emergency Team has tonight recommended the State be moved to Level 5 restrictions for a period of four weeks to curb a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases.
Such a move would have serious economic and societal implications, and has taken the Government by surprise.
The Cabinet has yet to discuss such a significant escalation in restrictions. At the moment most counties are at Level 2, with the exception of Dublin and Donegal, which are at Level 3.
Hospital Report
A passenger wears a mask on a bus in Dublin city centre. Photograph: Alan Betson
It remains to be seen whether the NPHET recommendations will be adopted, or whether there will be pushback at Government level.
READ MORE
It is understood a meeting of NPHET earlier on Sunday decided enhanced measures were required due to serious concern at the rate of spread of the virus.
Senior health sources said members of NPHET were “very worried” by recent trends in the growth of the virus.
The team was concerned by the trajectory of the virus across all metrics that it measures, including the five-day, week-long and 14-day incidence rate.
“Everything is going in one direction,” the source said.
The NPHET meeting was arranged at short notice on Saturday in light of deteriorating case numbers across the board. Some 613 new cases were reported on Saturday.
While the NPHET advice was shared with the Government this evening, a letter formally setting out their position is likely to be sent tonight or tomorrow by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, who returned from an extended period of leave taken for personal reasons to chair today's meeting.
Level 5 restrictions will see people asked to stay home except when exercising within five kilometres of their home; no visitors to their home, no social gatherings other than funerals or weddings, so called wet pubs must close, unless they can offer a takeaway service.
However, all educational facilities, including schools, creches and universities will remain open. At the moment, third level colleges are at level three restrictions and tuition has been moved online where possible.
Assess advice
The Government will then have to assess the NPHET advice. This process may involve input from the senior group of officials led by Martin Fraser, the most senior civil servant in the Department of the Taoiseach, and the Cabinet Covid subcommittee.
Earlier, Government sources indicated that there was no plan to hold an incorporeal Cabinet meeting this evening.
A total of 364 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in the State on Sunday, with no new deaths related to the condition.
The total of Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic of Ireland remains at 1,810, and the total of confirmed cases stands at 38,032.
Of the cases notified today, 195 are in men and 168 are in women, 74 per cent are in persons under 45 years, 27 per cent are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case, and 42 cases have been identified as due to community transmission.
Of Sunday's new cases, 100 were in Dublin, 55 in Cork and 31 in Donegal. There were 24 cases in Limerick, 23 in Galway, 17 in Clare, 14 in Sligo, 13 in Roscommon, 10 in Kerry, eight in Tipperary, eight in Wicklow, seven in Kildare, six in Kilkenny, six in Offaly, five in Cavan, five in Mayo and five in Meath, with the remaining 27 cases in nine counties.
Covid-19 admissions to hospital and intensive care have remained relatively stable in recent days, as the number of new cases increased substantially.
Twenty-two virus patients were in ICU this morning, the same as the previous Wednesday. Hospitalised patients increased from 122 to 134 over the period.
Mounting concern
NPHET met at short notice on Sunday amid mounting concern over the rising levels of Covid-19 diagnosis.
HSE figures show there were a total of 132 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in hospital at 8pm on Saturday evening, an increase from 114 on Thursday. Statistics on Friday’s total were not immediately available on the HSE’s website.
There are 20 patients in intensive care.
Asked earlier whether level four restrictions would be imposed in some parts of the country, Green Party leader and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said: "I hope we can avoid that. I think we're going to have to do everything to avoid that.
Asked whether the Government was considering a "circuit breaker" lockdown, which is being eyed by the devolved government in Stormont, Mr Ryan said: "We haven't discussed it here yet. We put in those five levels and that's the approach we're going to take.
“The Government hasn’t been looking at circuit breakers or getting away from that approach,” he said.
Speaking earlier on Sunday, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said he was concerned by the growth in the virus in recent weeks.
"The numbers are deeply concerning and the current trend we are witnessing is not sustainable," he told RTÉ Radio's This Week programme.
Healthcare workers
The figures also show there have been 301 cases of Covid-19 among healthcare workers in the past fortnight, almost 6 per cent of all cases.
Dublin has the highest cumulative incidence of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, having surpassed the figure for Cavan again in recent days. Kerry has had the fewest cases relative to population.
Three of the four countries on Ireland’s “green list” now have incidences of the virus higher than the threshold of 25 per 100,000 people, according to the latest figures from the European Centre for Disease Control.
Cyprus, Liechtenstein and Latvia's figures are above the limit for inclusion on the green list of countries for which no self-restriction requirement exists for incoming travellers. On the basis of current figures, only Finland would qualify for inclusion on the list when it is updated next Thursday.


theirishtimes--2020-10-04--Leaving Cert Q&A: How exactly did errors hurt student grades?

So , exactly how many students have now been affected by errors in grades ?
A total of 6,100 Leaving Cert students across 610 schools will get upgrades on the basis that they received lower grades than they should have due to errors .
Most of these students ( 5,408 ) will receive a higher grade by a single grade band in a single subject .
This is equivalent to 10 CAO points in a higher level subject .
A further 612 students will receive a higher grade in two subjects ( equivalent to 20 CAO points in higher level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive a higher grade in three or more subjects ( 30 or more CAO points in higher level subjects ) .
Students who have received these higher grades should have received a text message or email from the Department of Education .
Did some students also receive higher grades than they should have ?
In response to queries , the Department of Education said on Sunday night that about 7,943 higher Leaving Cert grades were issued in error .
Students with these higher grades will not be downgraded on the basis that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not penalised for such errors .
However , the disclosure of the volume of these grades issued in error will likely spark controversy among students who fear they were unfairly squeezed out of their chosen CAO course by others with inflated grades .
Solidarity TD Mick Barry , for example , has called on the Minister for Education to disclose how many students may have lost out on college places due to higher grades issued in error .
How many students will get new CAO offers on foot of upgrades ?
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the numbers are likely to range from anywhere between a few hundred to up to 1,000 , according to sources .
The department sent a corrected file of students ’ results to the CAO on Saturday afternoon .
The CAO will now establish how many students are eligible to receive a new offer .
The first indication of this is likely on Monday , and students are likely to receive formal offers later in the week .
The Department of Higher Education will work with the CAO and higher education institutions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to commence the course that they would , in other circumstances , have been offered in an earlier round .
While every effort will be made to ensure such students can take up new offers in the current academic year , sources say it may not prove possible in some very high-demand courses such as medicine and dentistry , which are at full capacity .
Any student who has applied to a higher education institution outside the State who believes their grade change will impact on those arrangements has been advised to contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How many errors were spotted in total ?
We now know of a total of four errors or discrepancies in the coding used during the calculated grades process .
Two errors were discovered almost a fortnight ago in coding provided by Polymetrika International Inc , a Canadian company , according to the department .
Two further discrepancies were discovered by an independent US firm , ETS Educational Testing Service , which reviewed a sample of the coding .
How did these errors impact on students ’ results ?
The first error was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Polymetrika , and affected the way in which candidates ’ Junior Cycle results were used in the standardisation process .
It was intended that students ’ aggregate Junior Cycle results in Irish , English and Maths would be included in the data used by the standardisation process , together with their two best other subjects .
This was aimed at building a picture on the likely performance of an individual class in the Leaving Cert .
However , the error meant that students ’ results in their two weakest subjects ended up being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some subjects , students received calculated grades that were lower than they should have been .
A second error also related to the Junior Cycle was discovered by the department , involving the use of results for a subject – Civic , Social and Political Education ( CSPE ) – that were not supposed to have been used in the first place .
Following checks in the past week by ETS , two further errors were spotted .
ETS found that in cases where data was missing for students ’ Junior Cycle results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was incorrectly replaced with the highest test score on any other subject .
Secondly , it found that the algorithm used to treat extreme/outlier students in each school did not exactly match what was described in a technical report produced by the department .
However , ETS said this second issue would not have had a meaningful impact on results .
Could there be further errors ?
The work of ETS involved an audit of a sampling of the coding , rather than the entire coding used .
This may well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , comprehensive audit to determine whether there are further errors .
Why was just a sample of coding reviewed ?
In a statement ETS said it and the department recognised that the task needed to be completed in a very short timeframe , and “ necessarily involved an audit of a sampling of the coding rather than a full audit of the entire coding ” .
In sampling the coding , it said the department and ETS agreed that “ certain areas of coding should be prioritised within the available timeframe ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are already a number of legal actions pending from students in relation to the calculated grades process .
Legal sources say this could prompt further claims .
When asked at the weekend whether further litigation was a possibility , Minister Foley told reporters : “ I think anything could be a possibility.
” What ’ s likely to happen next ?
The focus now is on ensuring that students receive the grades they were due and that they will have an opportunity to take up higher preference offers , where applicable , through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the option of sitting the postponed Leaving Cert exams from November 16th to December 11th .
The deadline to apply has been extended to 5pm next Wednesday .
The State Examinations Commission has said any student who receives a higher offer can withdraw their application to sit the exams by emailing November2020 @ examinations.ie There are still unanswered questions , meanwhile , such as whether the errors meant some students may have lost out on CAO courses due to other students receiving higher offers .

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced that some 6,100 students have been awarded improved Leaving Cert marks following a review of the calculated grades system. Video: RTE News Now / Dept. of Education & Skills
So, exactly how many students have now been affected by errors in grades?
A total of 6,100 Leaving Cert students across 610 schools will get upgrades on the basis that they received lower grades than they should have due to errors.
Most of these students (5,408) will receive a higher grade by a single grade band in a single subject. This is equivalent to 10 CAO points in a higher level subject.
A further 612 students will receive a higher grade in two subjects (equivalent to 20 CAO points in higher level subjects); while 71 students will receive a higher grade in three or more subjects (30 or more CAO points in higher level subjects).
READ MORE
Students who have received these higher grades should have received a text message or email from the Department of Education.
Did some students also receive higher grades than they should have?
In response to queries, the Department of Education said on Sunday night that about 7,943 higher Leaving Cert grades were issued in error.
Students with these higher grades will not be downgraded on the basis that it is established practice that exam candidates are not penalised for such errors.
However, the disclosure of the volume of these grades issued in error will likely spark controversy among students who fear they were unfairly squeezed out of their chosen CAO course by others with inflated grades.
Solidarity TD Mick Barry, for example, has called on the Minister for Education to disclose how many students may have lost out on college places due to higher grades issued in error.
How many students will get new CAO offers on foot of upgrades?
It’s hard to say for sure, but the numbers are likely to range from anywhere between a few hundred to up to 1,000, according to sources.
The department sent a corrected file of students’ results to the CAO on Saturday afternoon. The CAO will now establish how many students are eligible to receive a new offer.
The first indication of this is likely on Monday, and students are likely to receive formal offers later in the week.
The Department of Higher Education will work with the CAO and higher education institutions to see how these students can be facilitated to commence the course that they would, in other circumstances, have been offered in an earlier round.
While every effort will be made to ensure such students can take up new offers in the current academic year, sources say it may not prove possible in some very high-demand courses such as medicine and dentistry, which are at full capacity.
Any student who has applied to a higher education institution outside the State who believes their grade change will impact on those arrangements has been advised to contact the relevant institution in the first instance.
How many errors were spotted in total?
We now know of a total of four errors or discrepancies in the coding used during the calculated grades process.
Two errors were discovered almost a fortnight ago in coding provided by Polymetrika International Inc, a Canadian company, according to the department.
Two further discrepancies were discovered by an independent US firm, ETS Educational Testing Service, which reviewed a sample of the coding.
How did these errors impact on students’ results?
The first error was in a line of code programmed by Polymetrika, and affected the way in which candidates' Junior Cycle results were used in the standardisation process.
It was intended that students' aggregate Junior Cycle results in Irish, English and Maths would be included in the data used by the standardisation process, together with their two best other subjects.
This was aimed at building a picture on the likely performance of an individual class in the Leaving Cert.
However, the error meant that students' results in their two weakest subjects ended up being used.
As a result, in some subjects, students received calculated grades that were lower than they should have been.
A second error also related to the Junior Cycle was discovered by the department, involving the use of results for a subject – Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) – that were not supposed to have been used in the first place.
Following checks in the past week by ETS, two further errors were spotted.
ETS found that in cases where data was missing for students’ Junior Cycle results in either maths, English or Irish, it was incorrectly replaced with the highest test score on any other subject.
Secondly, it found that the algorithm used to treat extreme/outlier students in each school did not exactly match what was described in a technical report produced by the department.
However, ETS said this second issue would not have had a meaningful impact on results.
Could there be further errors?
The work of ETS involved an audit of a sampling of the coding, rather than the entire coding used.
This may well prompt further Opposition calls for a full, comprehensive audit to determine whether there are further errors.
Why was just a sample of coding reviewed?
In a statement ETS said it and the department recognised that the task needed to be completed in a very short timeframe, and “necessarily involved an audit of a sampling of the coding rather than a full audit of the entire coding”.
In sampling the coding, it said the department and ETS agreed that “certain areas of coding should be prioritised within the available timeframe”.
Are there any legal consequences?
There are already a number of legal actions pending from students in relation to the calculated grades process. Legal sources say this could prompt further claims.
When asked at the weekend whether further litigation was a possibility, Minister Foley told reporters: “I think anything could be a possibility.”
What’s likely to happen next?
The focus now is on ensuring that students receive the grades they were due and that they will have an opportunity to take up higher preference offers, where applicable, through the CAO system.
Students also have the option of sitting the postponed Leaving Cert exams from November 16th to December 11th. The deadline to apply has been extended to 5pm next Wednesday. The State Examinations Commission has said any student who receives a higher offer can withdraw their application to sit the exams by emailing November2020@examinations.ie
There are still unanswered questions, meanwhile, such as whether the errors meant some students may have lost out on CAO courses due to other students receiving higher offers.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Six hundred complaints against lawyers made over six-month period

There were more than 600 complaints against lawyers , mostly solicitors , in the six months to early September , according to the latest report from the Legal Services Regulatory Authority ( LSRA ) .
Of the 607 complaints received , 587 related to solicitors and only 18 to barristers .
More than half of the complaints received ( 346 ) related to alleged misconduct , which is broadly defined in the law and includes an act or omission involving fraud or dishonesty , or something likely to bring the profession into disrepute .
A further 213 complaints alleged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inadequate standard , while 46 related to alleged charging of excessive costs .
The LSRA took over the role of dealing with complaints last October and the report published today is its second such report since then .
The previous report said it had received 636 complaints in the five months to early March .
A number of complaints received during the period to September were from members of the public , as well as others such as expert witnesses and interpreters , “ alleging that a legal practitioner has been rude and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a personal or profane nature , ” the report said .
Behaving in a rude or insulting manner can have disciplinary consequences if a complaint is upheld , the report noted , especially if a pattern of such behaviour could be shown .
The regulator said it intended to address the issue of rudeness in more detail in its next report .
Of the complaints received by the regulator ’ s Complaints and Resolutions Unit in the period to early September , 96 were deemed inadmissible , and 23 were withdrawn .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the assistance of the authority ’ s staff during what is called the pre-admissibility stage .
At the end of the period , 436 of the complaints received were still being investigated .
“ The Complaints and Resolutions Unit received a total of 1,271 phone calls and emails during the six-month period requesting information and/or complaint forms , ” the authority said in a statement .
“ Among the areas of legal services complained about were wills and probate , litigation , conveyancing , and family law.
” In his comments accompanying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian Doherty , said the themes that emerged in the period covered by the first report were now more firmly established .
“ Communication is again a key feature of most complaints .
Complainants continually raise the issue that they were not adequately informed by their legal practitioner as to the cost and time or the risks involved in taking or defending legal proceedings.
” Problems with probates and wills continued to feature , as did complaints about the non-payment of barristers ’ fees by solicitors .
Mr Doherty noted that the staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had dealt with the complaints despite working remotely from home because of the Covid-19 situation .

Alleged misconduct is broadly defined in the law and includes an act or omission involving fraud or dishonesty, or something likely to bring the profession into disrepute. Photograph: Alan Betson / THE IRISH TIMES
There were more than 600 complaints against lawyers, mostly solicitors, in the six months to early September, according to the latest report from the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA).
Of the 607 complaints received, 587 related to solicitors and only 18 to barristers.
More than half of the complaints received (346) related to alleged misconduct, which is broadly defined in the law and includes an act or omission involving fraud or dishonesty, or something likely to bring the profession into disrepute.
A further 213 complaints alleged that the legal services provided were of an inadequate standard, while 46 related to alleged charging of excessive costs.
READ MORE
The LSRA took over the role of dealing with complaints last October and the report published today is its second such report since then. The previous report said it had received 636 complaints in the five months to early March.
A number of complaints received during the period to September were from members of the public, as well as others such as expert witnesses and interpreters, “alleging that a legal practitioner has been rude and abusive to them or made remarks of a personal or profane nature,” the report said.
Behaving in a rude or insulting manner can have disciplinary consequences if a complaint is upheld, the report noted, especially if a pattern of such behaviour could be shown.
The regulator said it intended to address the issue of rudeness in more detail in its next report.
Of the complaints received by the regulator’s Complaints and Resolutions Unit in the period to early September, 96 were deemed inadmissible, and 23 were withdrawn.
A further 50 complaints were resolved informally with the assistance of the authority’s staff during what is called the pre-admissibility stage.
At the end of the period, 436 of the complaints received were still being investigated.
“The Complaints and Resolutions Unit received a total of 1,271 phone calls and emails during the six-month period requesting information and/or complaint forms,” the authority said in a statement.
“Among the areas of legal services complained about were wills and probate, litigation, conveyancing, and family law.”
In his comments accompanying the report, the LSRA chief executive, Brian Doherty, said the themes that emerged in the period covered by the first report were now more firmly established.
“Communication is again a key feature of most complaints. Complainants continually raise the issue that they were not adequately informed by their legal practitioner as to the cost and time or the risks involved in taking or defending legal proceedings.”
Problems with probates and wills continued to feature, as did complaints about the non-payment of barristers’ fees by solicitors.
Mr Doherty noted that the staff, many of whom are newly-recruited, had dealt with the complaints despite working remotely from home because of the Covid-19 situation.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Teaching unions raise questions about schools staying open at Level 5

Teaching unions have raised questions about the prospect of schools remaining open during Level 5 restrictions as they have called for safety reviews .
As the country awaits a Government decision , the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland ( ASTI ) , the Teachers Union of Ireland ( TUI ) , and the Irish National Teachers Organisation ( INTO ) have all called for clarity on what protection is available to their members .
Notably , the INTO described it as “ incomprehensible ” that primary schools would remain fully open when infection levels are high enough to rule out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an immediate public health review on the status of schools at Level 5 and the union has written to the Minister for Education Norma Foley on Monday demanding an urgent meeting .
INTO general secretary John Boyle told the Minister that “ to date at stakeholder consultations we have received no clarification on what protective measures would apply in primary and special schools at [ the first ] four different levels.
” Mr Boyle noted that Level 5 recommendations for schools and crèches are to be based on the precise situation at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that by the end of the first month of the school year 187 schools had testing completed as a consequence of public health risk assessment and that there were 59 confirmed cases in primary and special schools , ” he said .
The INTO has said clarity is required on available safety measures at both Level 4 and Level 5 of the plan .
“ In our view it is incomprehensible that our schools , which have the largest class sizes in Europe , would remain fully open at a time where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community that no indoor gatherings or events were permissible , ” Mr Boyle said .
“ It is not acceptable that teachers appear to be placed at greater risk of infection compared with citizens and workers generally.
” In a statement on Monday morning , ASTI president Ann Piggott said teachers are concerned by the implications of Level 5 restrictions and that should they be implemented a “ comprehensive review of the medical and related guidance being implemented in schools ” should be undertaken immediately to see if it is safe for schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing to the Minister for Education and Skills this morning to request that she initiate a review immediately , ” Ms Piggott said .
“ We will also be requesting that the second-level stakeholders meet to discuss all associated issues .
“ The health , safety and welfare of all members of our school communities is of paramount importance ” There is similar disquiet at the TUI which has sought urgent engagement with the Department of Education and Skills .
General secretary Michael Gillespie said its members are now “ extremely worried ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already sought detailed clarification on the why it would be safe for schools to remain open at Level 5 if the rest of society is effectively locked down , ” he said .
“ We have a number of justified and important questions in this regard and these must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
” The TUI has pointed out that many of its members either have serious health conditions or live with people who do .
It has also called for more clarity on what Level 4 restrictions would mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures .

The INTO described it as “incomprehensible” that primary schools would remain fully open when infection levels are high enough to rule out indoor gatherings. Photograph: iStock
Teachers are to demand clarity on what additional protective measures can be put in place in schools should Covid-19 restrictions escalate to Level 4 or 5.
The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) said on Monday afternoon that even if the Government only imposed a blanket Level 3 status across the country, uncertainty and concern remains in the school system.
“We are not terribly reassured by that,” Martin Marjoram, TUI president said of indications the increase in restrictions would not reach Level 5 as had been recommended by public health officials.
Although that position still had to be confirmed, Mr Marjoram said it would mean “no real change” for schools but “that is a concern in itself because it means that while more and more restrictions are coming into place in society, nothing changes in schools”.
READ MORE
The TUI and other teaching unions had come out on Monday morning calling for safety reviews and clarity on precautionary measures that would allow schools to remain open, particularly in the event of a Level 4 or 5 escalation.
Mr Marjoram said that on Monday his email inbox had “lit up” following reports of a Level 5 NPHET recommendation.
“They were messages from people who were frustrated...very concerned that schools seemed at that point just about to be treated very differently to other work places [that would be forced to close]. Some were really angry,” he said.
As it began to emerge that Level 3 was a more likely outcome of Monday’s talks between NPHET and Government, Kieran Christie of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) said the organisation would continue to monitor the situation.
“While we are committed to keeping schools open, our overriding objective is to ensure the safety of the entire school community,” he said.
Earlier the teaching unions had raised questions about the prospect of schools remaining open during Level 5 restrictions and called for safety reviews.
Notably, the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) described it as "incomprehensible" that primary schools would remain fully open when infection levels are high enough to rule out indoor gatherings.
It called for an immediate public health review on the status of schools at Level 5 and wrote to Minister for Education Norma Foley demanding an urgent meeting.
General secretary John Boyle told the Minister that "to date at stakeholder consultations we have received no clarification on what protective measures would apply in primary and special schools at [the first] four different levels."
Mr Boyle noted that Level 5 recommendations for schools and crèches are to be based on the precise situation at the time.
“The evidence to date is that by the end of the first month of the school year 187 schools had testing completed as a consequence of public health risk assessment and that there were 59 confirmed cases in primary and special schools,” he said.
The INTO has said clarity is required on available safety measures at both Level 4 and Level 5 of the plan.
"In our view it is incomprehensible that our schools, which have the largest class sizes in Europe, would remain fully open at a time where infection levels were so high in the community that no indoor gatherings or events were permissible," Mr Boyle said.
“It is not acceptable that teachers appear to be placed at greater risk of infection compared with citizens and workers generally.”
In a statement on Monday morning, ASTI president Ann Piggott said teachers are concerned by the implications of Level 5 restrictions and that should they be implemented a "comprehensive review of the medical and related guidance being implemented in schools" should be undertaken immediately to see if it is safe for schools to remain open.
“We are writing to the Minister for Education and Skills this morning to request that she initiate a review immediately,” Ms Piggott said. “We will also be requesting that the second-level stakeholders meet to discuss all associated issues.
“The health, safety and welfare of all members of our school communities is of paramount importance”
TUI general secretary Michael Gillespie said its members had become "extremely worried" at the developments.
“We have already sought detailed clarification on the why it would be safe for schools to remain open at Level 5 if the rest of society is effectively locked down,” he said.
“We have a number of justified and important questions in this regard and these must be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
The TUI has pointed out that many of its members either have serious health conditions or live with people who do. It has also called for more clarity on what Level 4 restrictions would mean for schools in terms of additional protective measures.
Meanwhile, the trade union Siptu said online teaching in third level education should continue until the New Year.
Siptu education sector organiser Karl Byrne said on foot of the concerns raised by NPHET regarding Covid-19 and outbreaks being experienced in third level institutions in other countries, the Government should “make a clear decision concerning the sector that will bring us up to the Christmas break”.
He said the current uncertainty and shifting approaches were “damaging to third level workers and students”.
“The Siptu education sector is therefore calling for the continuation of online teaching and learning until the Christmas break. We contend this will relieve excessive stress levels on both staff and students and provide much needed clarity for the sector.
“We also believe this approach is in the best interests of the wider fight against the spread of Covid-19 in the community.
“Our members in the sector have endured an extremely tense summer preparing for the current academic year. The constant uncertainty around the application of public health advice has exacerbated their many genuine concerns.
“We can no longer just deal with this in two- to three-week blocks. What is required is a medium to long term plan for the sector.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Most people want more, not fewer, restrictions, survey shows – ESRI expert

There is a “ clear disjunction ” between public debate objections to more Covid-19 restrictions and a majority who want stronger measures to suppress the virus , a behavioural scientist has said .
Prof Pete Lunn , head of behavioural research at think tank ESRI , said that public polling over recent months suggested the public debate was “ miles off ” the opinion of the majority of the population who want the Government to be more cautious in fighting coronavirus .
Prof Lunn said the Government still needed to be “ nuanced ” in its message over a possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe restrictions under the Covid-19 response plan as proposed by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) – as it is unclear how people will react .
Surveys and evidence gathered on public attitudes towards restrictions are not showing fatigue with the restrictions but “ a degree of resilience ” and compliance has been “ edging up ” consistently over recent months , he said .
“ That suggests that there is a majority appetite that says , ‘ we can cope with this ’ and in fact , on balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than fewer , ” said Prof Lunn , who is a member of a subgroup that has advised NPHET on the public response to the pandemic .
The most recent data from the tracking survey by Amárach for the Department of Health , published at the end of last month , shows 53 per cent of people polled believe that Government ’ s response has been “ appropriate ” – down from a high of 83 per cent in April .
Some 40 per cent of people believe that the measures have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low of 12 per cent in May – while just 7 per cent of people say that the Government ’ s measures have been “ too extreme ” , down from a high of 12 per cent in the first week of September .
In response to whether the Government should go further , 54 per cent of people said last week that more restrictions should be introduced , compared with 27 per cent who said they should not .
“ The major picture that comes through from the tracking surveys and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , the public has wanted the Government to be more cautious and put on more restrictions , ” said Prof Lunn .
He said that public debate around restrictions has been led by lobby groups , journalists and “ people who want to be more active ” but there was a “ quiet group of citizens who don ’ t because they are scared of this disease and they want the Government to be more cautious.
” “ While I accept there is clearly a fatigue and a tiredness , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial numbers of people either saying that they are breaking the restrictions and they don ’ t accept them or suggesting that they shouldn ’ t be there , ” he said .
Prof Lunn said that how public opinion responds to any argument for more restrictions will be important but that it was also important to understand that only a minority will react badly .
Ian Robertson , emeritus professor of psychology at Trinity College Dublin , said there was no data available on how people might react to the “ shock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from the Level 2 or 3 restrictions that are currently in place up to Level 5 .
But the public might buy a “ carefully crafted ” message that this was an emergency measure for a limited period , four weeks , to give the virus “ a severe beating to allow us to get back , ” he said .
“ People are actually quite frightened about the virus and they are very aware of the risks to them of a minority of people breaking the rules very flagrantly and publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and makes many people in favour of tighter restrictions , ” he said .

Chief medical officer with the Department of Health Tony Holohan in Dublin city centre today for a meeting between Coalition party leaders and medical officers at Government Buildings, to discuss a recommendation placing the entire country on Level 5 restrictions. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
There is a “clear disjunction” between public debate objections to more Covid-19 restrictions and a majority who want stronger measures to suppress the virus, a behavioural scientist has said.
Prof Pete Lunn, head of behavioural research at think tank ESRI, said that public polling over recent months suggested the public debate was "miles off" the opinion of the majority of the population who want the Government to be more cautious in fighting coronavirus.
Prof Lunn said the Government still needed to be “nuanced” in its message over a possible move to Level 5 – the most severe restrictions under the Covid-19 response plan as proposed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) – as it is unclear how people will react.
Surveys and evidence gathered on public attitudes towards restrictions are not showing fatigue with the restrictions but “a degree of resilience” and compliance has been “edging up” consistently over recent months, he said.
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“That suggests that there is a majority appetite that says, ‘we can cope with this’ and in fact, on balance, the public wants more restriction rather than fewer,” said Prof Lunn, who is a member of a subgroup that has advised NPHET on the public response to the pandemic.
The most recent data from the tracking survey by Amárach for the Department of Health, published at the end of last month, shows 53 per cent of people polled believe that Government's response has been "appropriate" – down from a high of 83 per cent in April.
Some 40 per cent of people believe that the measures have been “insufficient” – up from a low of 12 per cent in May – while just 7 per cent of people say that the Government’s measures have been “too extreme”, down from a high of 12 per cent in the first week of September.
In response to whether the Government should go further, 54 per cent of people said last week that more restrictions should be introduced, compared with 27 per cent who said they should not.
“The major picture that comes through from the tracking surveys and other evidence is that consistently, since about June, the public has wanted the Government to be more cautious and put on more restrictions,” said Prof Lunn.
He said that public debate around restrictions has been led by lobby groups, journalists and “people who want to be more active” but there was a “quiet group of citizens who don’t because they are scared of this disease and they want the Government to be more cautious.”
“While I accept there is clearly a fatigue and a tiredness, it is not manifesting itself as of now in substantial numbers of people either saying that they are breaking the restrictions and they don’t accept them or suggesting that they shouldn’t be there,” he said.
Prof Lunn said that how public opinion responds to any argument for more restrictions will be important but that it was also important to understand that only a minority will react badly.
Ian Robertson, emeritus professor of psychology at Trinity College Dublin, said there was no data available on how people might react to the "shock" of going back into lockdown again, from the Level 2 or 3 restrictions that are currently in place up to Level 5.
But the public might buy a “carefully crafted” message that this was an emergency measure for a limited period, four weeks, to give the virus “a severe beating to allow us to get back,” he said.
“People are actually quite frightened about the virus and they are very aware of the risks to them of a minority of people breaking the rules very flagrantly and publicly, and this makes them feel anxious and makes many people in favour of tighter restrictions,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Up to 450 CAO offers will be sent to upgraded Leaving Cert students this week

Up to 450 new CAO offers will be issued to students this week whose Leaving Cert results were upgraded following errors in the calculated grades process .
A total of 6,100 students have received upgrades on foot of coding errors discovered in the past fortnight .
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris and the CAO held a meeting earlier on Monday to discuss the number of places which are likely to be required .
It is understood that new offers are likely to issue on Thursday and the additional college places will be spread across higher education institutions .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new offer will be able to take up their courses in current academic year , with relatively few offers due in very high-demand courses such as medicine or dentistry .
One source familiar with the revised offers said many of the new places will be in education and teaching courses , especially at primary level .
As many 100 CAO offers alone be for courses at Technological University Dublin .
The CAO is likely to issue a statement later today , while the Higher Education Authority is working with third level college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing courses .
The Irish Times reported on Monday that almost 8,000 Leaving Cert grades issued this year were higher than they should have been due to coding errors in the calculated grades process .
Students with these higher grades will not be downgraded on the basis that it is established practice that exam candidates are not penalised for such errors .
However , the disclosure of the volume of higher grades issued in error has sparked controversy among students who fear they were unfairly squeezed out of their chosen CAO course by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mick Barry has called on the Minister for Education to disclose how many students may have lost out on college places due to higher grades issued in error .
The total number of grades issued in error has now reached almost 15,000 .
However there is reluctance within Government to go down this route on the basis that it risks reopening the CAO process .
The Department of Education ’ s chief inspector Harold Hislop said at the weekend that the number of students affected was “ probably quite small ” because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said the only way to identify this group is to “ re-run the CAO system from the beginning ” .
Meanwhile , it has emerged that an independent review of errors in the calculated grading process which led to thousands of students receiving the wrong results focused only on a sample of coding used in the process .
The disclosure has prompted calls from the Labour Party for a full , comprehensive and independent inquiry to establish if there are further errors which may affect other students .
The Department confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to review “ aspects of the code ” , in order to provide reassurance that the model was operating as intended .
The spokeswoman said the Department and Minister had committed to a comprehensive review of the calculated grades process when the process was completed .
The disclosure has prompted calls from the Labour Party for a full , comprehensive and independent inquiry to establish if there are further errors which may affect other students .
Labour Party spokesman for education Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said the fact that this review covered a sample @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a comprehensive inquiry .
“ What ’ s really concerning is that we are still nowhere close to finding out the full picture of what went wrong and how many students are affected , ” he said .
“ Now , we ’ ve found out that there were multiple errors in just a sample of the code .
This is a sorry mess .
”

Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris TD and the CAO held a meeting on Monday to discuss the number of places which are likely to be required for upgraded students.
Up to 450 new CAO offers will be issued on Thursday to students whose Leaving Cert results were upgraded following errors in the calculated grades process.
The numbers of students who will secure a higher CAO preference this week represents about 7 per cent of the 6,100 Leaving Cert students whose results were upgraded on foot of coding errors discovered in the past fortnight.
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris and the CAO held a meeting earlier on Monday to discuss the number of places which are likely to be required.
The new offers are to be issued online at 10am on Thursday and the additional college places will be spread across higher education institutions. There is optimism that all students eligible for a new offer will be able to take up their course in the current academic year, with relatively few offers due in very high-demand courses such as medicine or dentistry.
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One source familiar with the revised offers said many of the new places will be in education and teaching courses, especially at primary level. As many as 100 CAO offers alone will be for courses at Technological University Dublin.
The CAO is likely to issue a statement later today, while the Higher Education Authority is working with third-level colleges to ensure they can add capacity to existing courses.
Higher grades
The Irish Times reported on Monday that almost 8,000 Leaving Cert grades issued this year were higher than they should have been due to coding errors in the calculated grades process. Students with these higher grades will not be downgraded on the basis that it is established practice that exam candidates are not penalised for such errors. However, the disclosure of the volume of higher grades issued in error has sparked controversy among students who fear they were unfairly squeezed out of their chosen CAO course by others with inflated grades.
Solidarity TD Mick Barry has called on the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, to disclose how many students may have lost out on college places due to higher grades issued in error. The total number of grades issued in error has now reached almost 15,000.
However there is reluctance within Government to go down this route on the basis that it risks reopening the CAO process.
The Department of Education's chief inspector Harold Hislop said at the weekend that the number of students affected was "probably quite small" because of the increase in college places this year. He said the only way to identify this group is to "re-run the CAO system from the beginning".
Meanwhile, it has emerged that an independent review of errors in the calculated grading process, which led to thousands of students receiving the wrong results, focused only on a sample of coding used in the process. The disclosure has prompted calls from the Labour Party for a comprehensive and independent inquiry to establish if there are further errors which may affect other students.
The department confirmed that US firm ETS has been commissioned to review “aspects of the code”, in order to provide reassurance that the model was operating as intended. The spokeswoman said the department and the Minister had committed to a comprehensive review of the calculated grades process when the process was completed.
Labour’s spokesman for education Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said the fact that this review covered a sample of the code underlined the need for a comprehensive inquiry.
“What’s really concerning is that we are still nowhere close to finding out the full picture of what went wrong and how many students are affected,” he said.
“Now, we’ve found out that there were multiple errors in just a sample of the code. This is a sorry mess.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Moving to Level 5 is ‘only’ way to control Covid-19 and keep schools open - NPHET

The State needs to move to Level 5 in the Covid-19 roadmap as measures currently in place are not sufficiently controlling the disease as evidenced by the “ high volume of community transmission ” , public health officials have told the Government .
The letter sent on Sunday by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly , seen by The Irish Times , warns of a “ significant and deteriorating ” epidemiological situation .
It recommends that Level 5 measures be introduced from midnight tonight for four weeks .
It says NPHET @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , individuals and families but that the action is “ the only opportunity to get this disease back under control while keeping schools open ” .
It says a graduated approach would ultimately result in Level 5 measures being put in place , whereas an immediate enactment of the harshest measures will prevent deaths , protect vulnerable people and enable schools to remain open .
“ The proposed measures will only be effective if there is broad societal buy in and adherence over the coming four week period , ” it warns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do everything in our power now to arrest the current t trajectory nationally and suppress the virus back down to a low level of transmission in advance of the winter months.
” Government members have privately expressed surprise at the extent of NPHET ’ s latest advice and the manner in which it emerged .
Chief medical officer and NPHET member Dr Tony Holohan is meeting the leaders of Fianna Fáil , Fine Gael and the Green Party on Monday to discuss the recommendations .
The letter states that the measures currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease , as evidenced by “ high volume of community transmission and sustained increases across key indicators ” since Thursday .
Metrics cited in include the total number of cases increasing by 6 per cent in the last week of September , increases in the five , seven and 14 day incidence rates of the disease , an increase in the proportion of positive tests , and increases in the level of infection among people aged over 65 .
It also points to 31 open outbreaks in nursing homes , seven of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are 25 open outbreaks among vulnerable communities , with 10 in direct provision centre , seven in homeless services , and seven in Traveller communities .
NPHET wrote that admissions to critical care services have grown to an average of two per day , with 243 out of 281 critical care beds now occupied .
It said that , if current trends continue , some 1,600 to 2,300 cases per day will be being reported by Novemver 7th , with 43 people per day being admitted to hospital by that date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above , NPHET believes that proactive and robust measures must now be taken such that very significant suppression of the disease with a reproduction number well below 1.0 is achieved , ” the letter states .
It calls for an emphasis on communications which “ provide clarity on the measures in place ” .
It says there should be an “ immediate activation ” by State agencies to ensure necessary services are in areas such as physical and mental health and social care .

The letter sent on Sunday by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly (pictured) warns of a ‘significant and deteriorating’ epidemiological situation. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.
Moving to Level 5 restrictions is the “only opportunity” to get Covid “back under control” and keep schools open, the Government has been told.
A letter sent on Sunday by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, seen by The Irish Times, warns of a “significant and deteriorating” epidemiological situation.
It says the State needs to move to Level 5 in the Covid-19 roadmap as measures currently in place are not sufficiently controlling the disease as evidenced by the “high volume of community transmission”.
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Do you think your business will be able to survive further restrictions in the coming weeks or months? What impact could it have on your income, your company’s finances, and you personally? Photograph: Getty Images
It recommends that Level 5 measures be introduced from midnight on Monday for four weeks. It says NPHET is sensitive to the impact on businesses, individuals and families but that the action is “the only opportunity to get this disease back under control while keeping schools open”.
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It says a graduated approach “will not have sufficient or timely impact on the trajectory and scale of the disease”, and would ultimately result in Level 5 measures being put in place, whereas an immediate enactment of the harshest measures will prevent deaths, protect vulnerable people and enable schools to remain open.
“The proposed measures will only be effective if there is broad societal buy-in and adherence over the coming four week period,” it warns.
“NPHET advises that it is vital to do everything in our power now to arrest the current trajectory nationally and suppress the virus back down to a low level of transmission in advance of the winter months.”
Government members have privately expressed surprise at the extent of NPHET's latest advice and the manner in which it emerged. Chief medical officer and NPHET member Dr Tony Holohan is meeting the leaders of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party on Monday to discuss the recommendations.
Dr Tony Holohan waves to leader of the Green Party Eamon Ryan as they arrive at Government Buildings on Monday afternoon. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times.
The advice and tone of the letter is in contrast to the last communication to Government. While that letter, sent on October 1st, noted “growing concern with the continuing deterioration in the situation nationally,” it said that further measures beyond the extension of Level 2 measures were not being recommended at that time.
“As part of its deliberations, the NPHET considered whether the situation warranted an escalation of restrictive measures to Level 3 at a national level. On balance, the NPHET agreed that while the current trajectory of the disease is very concerning, the current epidemiological data does not strongly support a move to Level 3 nationally at this time,” the October 1st letter from deputy chief medical officer Ronan Glynn states.
Although Sunday night’s letter is stark, some Government sources are of the view that it does not adequately make the case for a move to Level 5, particularly in light of last Thursday’s letter.
Community transmission
The letter states that the measures currently in place are not sufficiently controlling the disease, as evidenced by “high volume of community transmission and sustained increases across key indicators” since Thursday.
Metrics cited in include the total number of cases increasing by 6 per cent in the last week of September, increases in the five, seven and 14 day incidence rates of the disease, an increase in the proportion of positive tests, and increases in the level of infection among people aged over 65.
It also points to 31 open outbreaks in nursing homes, seven of which have been reported in the last week. There are 25 open outbreaks among vulnerable communities, with 10 in direct provision centres, seven in homeless services, and seven in Traveller communities.
NPHET wrote that admissions to critical care services have grown to an average of two per day, with 243 out of 281 critical care beds now occupied.
It said that, if current trends continue, some 1,600 to 2,300 cases per day will be being reported by Novemver 7th, with 43 people per day being admitted to hospital by that date.
The letter also raises concerns about the level of the disease among people aged 15-24, which accounts for one in every four cases. The seven-day incidence rate in this group is 119 per 100,000 people. It points out that in the week ending September 27th, there was an average of eight admissions per day to hospital. In the week ending October 3rd, that had grown to an average of 12 per day, with 17 cases in the 24 hours preceding the letter being sent.
NPHET has been notified of 34 deaths that occurred in September, the letter points out, compared to four in August.
“In the light of the above, NPHET believes that proactive and robust measures must now be taken such that very significant suppression of the disease with a reproduction number well below 1.0 is achieved,” the letter states.
It calls for an emphasis on communications which “provide clarity on the measures in place”. It says there should be an “immediate activation” by State agencies to ensure necessary services are in areas such as physical and mental health and social care.
It says that “NPHET appreciates how difficult it will be for everyone to return to this level of restrictions, but it is confident that people across Ireland can once again meet this challenge with determination and unity of purpose”.
The letter, while not mentioning powers available to the Garda explicitly, advises that “powers available under public health and other legislation are fully and visibly utilised to support and reinforce adherence to public health measures”.
It further advises that the Government should “develop and implement solutions aimed at increasing awareness of and compliance with public health advice among young people”.
Amid ongoing concern and criticism of turnaround times in the State’s testing and tracing system, the letter says that NPHET will give further consideration in the days and weeks ahead to several measures. This includes “further enhancing our public health surveillance and control capacity, particularly testing, contact tracing and case and outbreak management”. It also will be considering testing, surveillance and other protective measures for healthcare workers.
The team also recommended close engagement with authorities in the North “in relation to the strategic approach” to the disease.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Five arrested after man assaulted and abducted from house

Five people have been arrested after a man in his 30s was assaulted and abducted from a house in Co Donegal on Sunday morning .
The man was assaulted by three other men at a property in Oak Park in the village of Convoy in Co Donegal at about 11.45am on Sunday , October 4th .
He was forced into a grey Mercedes Benz C Series with registration 09 MH 17020 and driven away from the scene .
Gardaí and members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) carried out a search of the north western region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the border .
The abducted man was discovered at about 5.30pm back in the village of Convoy and was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital with what gardaí described as non-life threatening injuries .
The vehicle he was abducted in was later found by PSNI outside a residence in Castlederg , Co Tyrone , and three men and two women were arrested on Sunday evening .
Gardaí are also investigating what they said was a “ related incident ” of dangerous driving where a vehicle was rammed at about 2.30am on Sunday , October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ extensive damage ” but no occupants in the vehicle .
A silver Seat Leon – registration plate 05 LH 6614 – was later spotted driving at speed in the direction of Killygordon in Co Galway .
Gardaí pursued the car but lost it after it crossed the border into Northern Ireland .
This same vehicle , which was spotted speeding in Killygordon , was later damaged in a fire at around 6.20am on Sunday , October 4th outside a house at Finn View in Lifford , Co Donegal .
Two men reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wall in Lifford and went on fire .
The blaze caused “ significant damage ” to a house in the area but no injuries were reported .
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses of the fire , or any person who may have see the silver Seat Leon in the early hours of Sunday , October 4th to contact gardaí .
Gardaí are also appealing for any witnesses to the incident in Convoy which happened later that morning to come forward or contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 916 7100 , the Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or any Garda Station.. Any person who may have seen the grey Mercedes Benz C Series has also been asked to contacted gardaí .

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted by three other men at a property in Oak Park in the village of Convoy in Co Donegal at about 11.45am on Sunday. File photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images
Five people have been arrested after a man in his 30s was assaulted and abducted from a house in Co Donegal on Sunday morning.
The man was assaulted by three other men at a property in Oak Park in the village of Convoy in Co Donegal at about 11.45am on Sunday, October 4th. He was forced into a grey Mercedes Benz C Series with registration 09 MH 17020 and driven away from the scene.
Gardaí and members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) carried out a search of the north western region following reports the car may have crossed the border.
The abducted man was discovered at about 5.30pm back in the village of Convoy and was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital with what gardaí described as non-life threatening injuries.
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The vehicle used for the kidnapping was later found by PSNI outside a residence in the Listymore area of Castlederg, Co Tyrone. Three men and two women were subsequently arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including kidnapping and “causing grevious bodily harm with intent”, said the PSNI. The men arrested are aged 27, 31 and 35, and the two women are aged 20 and 30, and remain in custody.
Gardaí are also investigating what they said was a “related incident” of dangerous driving where a vehicle was rammed into a wall at Town View Heights in Ballybofey, Co Donegal at about 2.30am on Sunday, October 4th.
Gardaí discovered a car with “extensive damage” but no occupants in the vehicle.
A silver Seat Leon – registration plate 05 LH 6614 – was later spotted driving at speed in the direction of Killygordon in Co Donegal. Gardaí pursued the car but lost it after it crossed the border into Northern Ireland.
This same vehicle, which was spotted speeding in Killygordon, was later damaged in a fire at around 6.20am on Sunday, October 4th outside a house at Finn View in Lifford, Co Donegal. Two men reportedly fled the vehicle after it hit a wall in Lifford and went on fire. The blaze caused “significant damage” to a house in the area but no injuries were reported.
It is understood the two men who fled the vehicle may be connected to the abduction and assault, which happened in Convoy later on Sunday morning.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses of the fire, or any person who may have see the silver Seat Leon in the early hours of Sunday, October 4th to contact gardaí.
Gardaí are also appealing for any witnesses to the incident in Convoy, which happened later that morning to come forward or contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Any person who may have seen the grey Mercedes Benz C Series has also been asked to contacted gardaí.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Retailers fear ‘devastating’ impact if Level 5 measures introduced

Christmas could be derailed if the Government accepts the recommendation from the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) to move to Level 5 restrictions forcing all but essential retail to close for the rest of October , it has been warned .
Retailers have been caught off guard by the recommendations and many who had hoped to offset some of the losses which stemmed from the enforced closures between March and June have said plans for the weeks before Christmas are now up in the air .
Duncan Graham of Retail Excellence has called for all retail to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the run-up to Christmas and said if the NPHET recommendations are adopted this week , it could be “ a devastating blow ” to retailers .
He also warned that enforced closures would lead to “ a bottle neck which will lead to a shopping frenzy in December which could lead to further problems.
” He said the logistical problems retailers will have when it comes to managing footfall and queues will only be exacerbated if three or four weeks of retail in the run up to Christmas is lost .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than the smooth run-up to Christmas which we have been hoping for , ” he told The Irish Times .
Mr Graham said retailers had been “ compliant across the board since the start of this crisis and there is no evidence of clusters of Covid-19 originating in shops ” .
“ People are going to want to buy gifts and because they won ’ t be spending on Christmas parties , we would anticipate a lot of gift buying so people can at least leave something under the trees of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit them or celebrate with them in the traditional way , ” he said .
However he said consumers ’ plans could be left in disarray with fresh enforced closures .
“ I would like to see all retail classified as essential or a more nuanced level of restrictions that would at least see shops remain open even if movements have to be restricted and people are not allowed to visit each other in their homes , ” he said .
He expressed fears that a four-week lockdown could easily be extended .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were told it would be for three weeks and it lasted 12 , Christmas is 11 weeks away now and if the same thing happened then Christmas would be entirely lost .
Jean McCabe owns clothes boutiques in Galway and Ennis and says that while she has spent much of the last six months ramping up her online presence “ to mitigate the reduction in footfall at Christmas ” another enforced closure would be “ catastrophic for shops who do not have an online channel ” .
She said that she had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoppers through the doors over October , November and December rather than that sharp increase in the last three weeks before Christmas but if the retail sector is closed then that can ’ t happen.
” She said shops would struggle to manage capacity over Christmas .
“ There have been no cases tied to retail and for the sake of saving that bit of the economy I think it is a calculated risk to keep shops open.
” Retail Ireland , the Ibec group that represents the retail sector , said any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retail as part of new Covid restrictions would have a devastating impact on thousands of businesses and jobs ” in the run up to the key Christmas trading period .
It warned that non-grocery trade “ would move almost exclusively online with the majority of spending leaving the country.
” The group ’ s director Arnold Dillon said news that a widespread retail lockdown is under review “ is a major shock .
The economic and social costs would be enormous , thousands of businesses and jobs would be at risk .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat Covid-19 would have to be managed “ through targeted restrictions , while also sustaining economic activity and jobs .
The retail sector has clearly demonstrated that this can be done .
A rigorous risk assessment , which incorporates economic and social considerations , must be carried out before any new restrictions are introduced .
”

The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) has claimed Level 3 restrictions will see 50,000 jobs lost in the pub sector.
The body, which represents pubs outside Dublin, said this was “another devastating development” for many pubs which had just reopened two weeks ago after closing in March.
The VFI said plans to implement a cap of 15 customers was not viable and it called on the Government to announce extra support for the pub trade.
Hospital Report
The Restaurants Association of Ireland said the move would cause an economic meltdown for the hospitality sector with 180,000 jobs being lost.
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It is “utterly disproportionate, devastating for workers and business owners, plus lacking in evidence based rationale,” said chief executive Adrian Cummins. He called for an emergency support package for the sector.
Earlier, retailers and people working in the sector expressed relief at news that the Government had rejected the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) recommendation to move the country to Level 5 status.
Retail Excellence said the decision would ensure that almost 300,000 people would keep their jobs in the run up to Christmas.
However the umbrella group said that the expected move to Level 3 with extra restrictions across the State would have a profound impact on cafes and restaurants as well as hitting consumer sentiment and footfall hard “making the run up to Christmas even more difficult for hard pressed retailers”.
The managing director of Retail Excellence Duncan Graham said it was “important that the health of our economy was taken into consideration”.
He pointed out that “moving to Level 5 restrictions with only 11 weeks left until Christmas would have been devastating to the industry. This is the most important period of the year for retailers for turnover and profit”.
As it stands many retailers are trading between 40 per cent to 70 per cent below last year’s turnover and further restrictions would be “the final nail in the coffin for many”, he said.
Mr Graham added that over 90 high profile stores in Ireland had already closed this year including chains like Debenhams, Mothercare, Oasis, and Inglot and believed the situation was likely to get worse early next year.
“Further restrictions would drive a huge acceleration in online shopping, of which over 70 per cent goes to retailers outside of Ireland. Retailers need Government support with legacy debts dating back to March and April,” he said, noting 67 per cent of retailers surveyed recently said they were in rent arrears.
Earlier, Mr Graham said accepting the NPHET recommendation to move to Level 5 restrictions would be “a devastating blow” to retailers.
He said retail should be viewed as an “essential” sector in the run-up to Christmas and also warned that enforced closures would lead to “a bottle neck which will lead to a shopping frenzy in December which could lead to further problems”.
Queues would only be exacerbated, he argued, if several weeks of retail in the run-up to Christmas were lost.
“What we could see is more panic buying rather than the smooth run-up to Christmas which we have been hoping for,” he told The Irish Times.
Mr Graham said retailers had been “compliant across the board since the start of this crisis and there is no evidence of clusters of Covid-19 originating in shops”.
“People are going to want to buy gifts and because they won’t be spending on Christmas parties, we would anticipate a lot of gift buying so people can at least leave something under the trees of their loved ones if they can’t visit them or celebrate with them in the traditional way,” he said.
However he said consumers’ plans could be left in disarray with fresh enforced closures.
“I would like to see all retail classified as essential or a more nuanced level of restrictions that would at least see shops remain open even if movements have to be restricted and people are not allowed to visit each other in their homes,” he said.
‘Christmas lost’
He expressed fears that any lockdown could easily be extended. When the first lockdown was announced we were told it would be for three weeks and it lasted 12. Christmas was 11 weeks away now and if the same thing happened then Christmas would be entirely lost, he said.
Jean McCabe owns clothes boutiques in Galway and Ennis and said that while she had spent much of the last six months ramping up her online presence “to mitigate the reduction in footfall at Christmas” another enforced closure would be “catastrophic for shops who do not have an online channel”.
She said that she had been hoping for “a steady flow of shoppers through the doors over October, November and December rather than that sharp increase in the last three weeks before Christmas but if the retail sector is closed then that can’t happen”.
She said were the Government to accept the NPHET recommendation for a move to Level 5 for four weeks it would leave shops struggling to manage capacity over Christmas. “There have been no cases tied to retail and for the sake of saving that bit of the economy I think it is a calculated risk to keep shops open.”
Retail Ireland, the Ibec group that represents the retail sector, said any move to close “significant swathes of retail as part of new Covid restrictions would have a devastating impact on thousands of businesses and jobs” in the run up to the key Christmas trading period.
It warned that non-grocery trade “would move almost exclusively online with the majority of spending leaving the country.”
The group's director Arnold Dillon said Sunday night's news that a widespread retail lockdown was under review "is a major shock. The economic and social costs would be enormous, thousands of businesses and jobs would be at risk. This must be avoided".
He said the threat Covid-19 would have to be managed “through targeted restrictions, while also sustaining economic activity and jobs. The retail sector has clearly demonstrated that this can be done. A rigorous risk assessment, which incorporates economic and social considerations, must be carried out before any new restrictions are introduced.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--NPHET reaches for the sledgehammer as Irish Covid-19 fight hits impasse

Ireland really is at a shocking , depressing impasse in the fight against Covid-19 .
It could be that things are as bad as the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) believe them to be , and will continue to worsen .
The precise rationale for NPHET ’ s reaching for the biggest sledgehammer in its current armoury - Level 5 restrictions - will become known as the day progresses , but it ’ s likely to be be based on a fear of exponential growth in cases and hospitalisations that could soon overwhelm the health service .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s gambit for the most severe restrictions is a tactical device , designed to scare people off bad behaviours and procure agreement from the Government for nationwide Level 4 measures .
If that is the case , and the Government faces down public health officials by refusing to agree to their recommendations , the trust in both Government and NPHET will suffer .
It could also be the case that NPHET is simply wrong , or at least unbalanced by failing to take adequate account of the impact of its recommendations on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social wellbeing of society .
Many will claim to have the solutions but the honest answer is that no-one really knows the right way to get through this pandemic , so unparalleled in modern times .
Inevitably , mistakes will be made - have been made - but the point is to apply the best science and other learning to the problem so it can be resolved .
It was Albert Einstein who defined insanity as “ doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results ” .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown ?
The downsides : the further destruction of economic life , damage to people ’ s morale and mental health .
Lockdown “ worked ” last time by stopping the circulation of the virus .
But if the disease comes back once restrictions are lifted , as it has , has it really worked ?
Are we not just kicking the can down the road , all the time hoping for a vaccine that is being rushed to development at breakneck speed ?
Have our public health officials earned the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , given the failure to keep the virus in check over the summer ?
Or is it our own fault ?
Did we all “ party too long ” , as the accusation went during our economic collapse of a decade ago ?
The summer was a wasted opportunity , when the chance was missed to put in place proper testing and contact tracing operations , as well as a set of measures specifically designed to protect those most at risk from the virus .
As a result , public health officials are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the form of a nationwide lockdown , despite the fact that the curve is flattening ( a bit ) in Dublin and going down in some counties .
No attempt has been made to set up a system for enforcing the rules that are there in a proportionate manner , not even for travellers coming into the country .
Arguably , the nuances of the Government ’ s framework plan have been lost on many people , leading to a realisation that “ one size fits all ” recommendations work better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acceptance .
However , NPHET will have to come up with a pretty good explanation of what happens after a second lockdown if they want people to enter that dark tunnel this week .

Many will claim to have the solutions to the Covid-19 crisis but the honest answer is that no-one really knows the right way to get through this pandemic, so unparalleled in modern times. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.
Ireland really is at a shocking, depressing impasse in the fight against Covid-19. It could be that things are as bad as the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) believe them to be, and will continue to worsen.
The precise rationale for NPHET’s reaching for the biggest sledgehammer in its current armoury - Level 5 restrictions - will become known as the day progresses, but it’s likely to be be based on a fear of exponential growth in cases and hospitalisations that could soon overwhelm the health service.
Or, it could be that NPHET’s gambit for the most severe restrictions is a tactical device, designed to scare people off bad behaviours and procure agreement from the Government for nationwide Level 4 measures.
Do you think your business will be able to survive further restrictions in the coming weeks or months? What impact could it have on your income, your company’s finances, and you personally? Photograph: Getty Images
If that is the case, and the Government faces down public health officials by refusing to agree to their recommendations, the trust in both Government and NPHET will suffer.
READ MORE
It could also be the case that NPHET is simply wrong, or at least unbalanced by failing to take adequate account of the impact of its recommendations on non Covid-19 healthcare and the general economic and social wellbeing of society.
Many will claim to have the solutions but the honest answer is that no-one really knows the right way to get through this pandemic, so unparalleled in modern times. Inevitably, mistakes will be made - have been made - but the point is to apply the best science and other learning to the problem so it can be resolved.
Positives and downsides
It was Albert Einstein who defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results". So are we being insane by contemplating another lockdown?
The positives: fewer cases, fewer sick people, fewer deaths.
The downsides: the further destruction of economic life, damage to people’s morale and mental health.
Lockdown “worked” last time by stopping the circulation of the virus. But if the disease comes back once restrictions are lifted, as it has, has it really worked?
Are we not just kicking the can down the road, all the time hoping for a vaccine that is being rushed to development at breakneck speed?
Have our public health officials earned the right to impose a lockdown for a second time, given the failure to keep the virus in check over the summer? Or is it our own fault? Did we all “party too long”, as the accusation went during our economic collapse of a decade ago?
The summer was a wasted opportunity, when the chance was missed to put in place proper testing and contact tracing operations, as well as a set of measures specifically designed to protect those most at risk from the virus.
As a result, public health officials are again reaching for the “blunt instrument” in the form of a nationwide lockdown, despite the fact that the curve is flattening (a bit) in Dublin and going down in some counties.
Enforcement of rules
No attempt has been made to set up a system for enforcing the rules that are there in a proportionate manner, not even for travellers coming into the country.
Arguably, the nuances of the Government’s framework plan have been lost on many people, leading to a realisation that “one size fits all” recommendations work better in terms of compliance or at least acceptance.
However, NPHET will have to come up with a pretty good explanation of what happens after a second lockdown if they want people to enter that dark tunnel this week.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Meeting of Seamus Woulfe and Chief Justice over golf dinner report deferred

A planned meeting between the Chief Justice and Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe to discuss a report into the latter ’ s attendance at the Oireachtas golf dinner has been deferred .
A Courts Service spokesman said that Mr Justice Woulfe had on Sunday evening requested a postponement for personal reasons and this was agreed to by Chief Justice Frank Clarke .
The meeting was scheduled under an “ informal resolution ” process arising from former chief justice Sunan Denham ’ s report into Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s attendance at the controversial gathering of some 80 people in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice on large gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic .
Under that process , it is understood Judge Woulfe was due to discuss the proposed resolution , which was outlined to him last Friday , with the Chief Justice .
Their meeting will now be held on a later date .
The Denham report said Mr Justice Woulfe had not been “ sufficiently vigilant ” about his position as a newly appointed judge when he accepted the invitation to the dinner , but that a resignation request would be “ unjust and disproportionate ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings stood in contrast to the political judgments that faced former European commissioner Phil Hogan and former minister for agriculture Dara Calleary , who both had to quit over the row However , Mr Justice Woulfe , who previously served as attorney general and was appointed to the top court in July , is not currently listed for hearing any Supreme Court case in the Legal Diary .
Under existing rules , the Chief Justice has no power to impose a penalty of any kind , but senior figures have been greatly irked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public controversy .
“ The resolution process recommended in the review will now commence , ” the court said , which was interpreted by senior legal sources last week to mean that Mr Justice Woulfe would face “ a dressing-down ” by the Chief Justice .

A planned meeting between the Chief Justice and Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe to discuss a report into the latter’s attendance at the Oireachtas golf dinner has been deferred.
A Courts Service spokesman said that Mr Justice Woulfe had on Sunday evening requested a postponement for personal reasons and this was agreed to by Chief Justice Frank Clarke.
The meeting was scheduled under an “informal resolution” process arising from former chief justice Sunan Denham’s report into Mr Justice Woulfe’s attendance at the controversial gathering of some 80 people in August, which went ahead despite public health advice on large gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under that process, it is understood Judge Woulfe was due to discuss the proposed resolution, which was outlined to him last Friday, with the Chief Justice. Their meeting will now be held on a later date.
READ MORE
The Denham report said Mr Justice Woulfe had not been “sufficiently vigilant” about his position as a newly appointed judge when he accepted the invitation to the dinner, but that a resignation request would be “unjust and disproportionate”.
The former chief justice’s findings stood in contrast to the political judgments that faced former European commissioner Phil Hogan and former minister for agriculture Dara Calleary, who both had to quit over the row
However, Mr Justice Woulfe, who previously served as attorney general and was appointed to the top court in July, is not currently listed for hearing any Supreme Court case in the Legal Diary.
Under existing rules, the Chief Justice has no power to impose a penalty of any kind, but senior figures have been greatly irked to see the Supreme Court embroiled in a public controversy.
“The resolution process recommended in the review will now commence,” the court said, which was interpreted by senior legal sources last week to mean that Mr Justice Woulfe would face “a dressing-down” by the Chief Justice.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Former asylum seekers share Cork’s Person of the Month Award

A Middle Eastern couple who have built a new life for themselves in Ireland after moving from the direct provision system to running their own restaurant , have shared Cork ’ s Person of the Month Award .
Izzedeen and Eman Alkarajeh have overcome the odds of moving to a new country , learning a new language and spending time in the State ’ s asylum system .
Mr Alkarajeh moved from Palestine to Saudi Arabia in 1999 to find work after graduating from university with a degree in computer science .
He met Eman , who is originally from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
The couple planned to return to Palestine when Mr Alkarajeh ’ s contract ended but because his partner did not have civilian status in Palestine , they opted to apply to go to Canada .
However , the age requirements for visas there changed , which scuppered their plans .
Instead , the couple and their four children came to Ireland in 2016 and applied for asylum .
They spent a year in direct provision , first in Dublin and then in Cork , before their applications were assessed and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct provision in Cork , Mr Alkarajeh completed a course on starting a business through the South and East Cork Area Development Partnership .
The couple decided to set up a food business .
Mrs Alkarajeh trained as an interior designer in Jordan but has been cooking traditional food since childhood , which encouraged the couple to give their idea a try as they felt there was an appetite for Middle Eastern food in Cork .
One of their new friends put them in touch with Darina Allen of the Ballymaloe food operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rupert Hugh-Jones who runs farmers markets around Cork and the couple began selling their food at markets .
Mr Alkarajeh said that on their first day at Mahon Point Farmers Market in Cork city , they sold out their entire stock in two hours and their success at farmers ’ markets led to their decision to open Izz Café on George ’ s Quay .
“ Cork has proved itself a city of sanctuary , a place of welcome and safety for people of migrant origin like ourselves .
Being in direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we have met some amazing people , ” he said .
“ And they have helped us make Izz Café possible serving the people of Cork with quality traditional Palestinian food and we are so thankful to them for their continued support.
” Mrs Alkarajeh added : “ The people of Cork have accepted us with open arms and as a way of saying thanks to our new community , we have supplied free meals recently to health care workers during the Covid-19 crisis.
” Manus O ’ Callaghan , organiser of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the couple were worthy winners of the monthly award , as their story offered hope and inspiration to others .
“ Cork has always celebrated diversity in people so it ’ s not surprising to see our city give people like Izz and Eman and their four children a fresh start , just like many Corkonians got in cities around the world in the past , ” he said .
“ Their hard work and commitment to introducing the people of Cork to their traditional cuisine and culture is reflected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish them continued success for the future .
”

Izzedeen and Eman Alkarajeh (centre) are pictured in their restaurant on Izz Cafe in Cork city with Manus O’Callaghan (left) of the Cork Person of the Year award, and George Duggan of Cork Crystal. Photograph: Tony O’Connell Photography.
A Middle Eastern couple who have built a new life for themselves in Ireland after moving from the direct provision system to running their own restaurant, have shared Cork's Person of the Month Award.
Izzedeen and Eman Alkarajeh have overcome the odds of moving to a new country, learning a new language and spending time in the State's asylum system.
Mr Alkarajeh moved from Palestine to Saudi Arabia in 1999 to find work after graduating from university with a degree in computer science. He met Eman, who is originally from Jordan, while he was in the country.
The couple planned to return to Palestine when Mr Alkarajeh's contract ended but because his partner did not have civilian status in Palestine, they opted to apply to go to Canada. However, the age requirements for visas there changed, which scuppered their plans.
READ MORE
Instead, the couple and their four children came to Ireland in 2016 and applied for asylum. They spent a year in direct provision, first in Dublin and then in Cork, before their applications were assessed and they were granted asylum.
While still in direct provision in Cork, Mr Alkarajeh completed a course on starting a business through the South and East Cork Area Development Partnership. The couple decided to set up a food business.
Mrs Alkarajeh trained as an interior designer in Jordan but has been cooking traditional food since childhood, which encouraged the couple to give their idea a try as they felt there was an appetite for Middle Eastern food in Cork.
One of their new friends put them in touch with Darina Allen of the Ballymaloe food operation, who introduced them to her son-in-law, Rupert Hugh-Jones who runs farmers markets around Cork and the couple began selling their food at markets.
Mr Alkarajeh said that on their first day at Mahon Point Farmers Market in Cork city, they sold out their entire stock in two hours and their success at farmers' markets led to their decision to open Izz Café on George's Quay.
“Cork has proved itself a city of sanctuary, a place of welcome and safety for people of migrant origin like ourselves. Being in direct provision was challenging for our family, but we have met some amazing people,” he said.
“And they have helped us make Izz Café possible serving the people of Cork with quality traditional Palestinian food and we are so thankful to them for their continued support.”
Mrs Alkarajeh added: “The people of Cork have accepted us with open arms and as a way of saying thanks to our new community, we have supplied free meals recently to health care workers during the Covid-19 crisis.”
Manus O’Callaghan, organiser of the Cork Person of the Year Award, said the couple were worthy winners of the monthly award, as their story offered hope and inspiration to others.
“Cork has always celebrated diversity in people so it’s not surprising to see our city give people like Izz and Eman and their four children a fresh start, just like many Corkonians got in cities around the world in the past,” he said.
“Their hard work and commitment to introducing the people of Cork to their traditional cuisine and culture is reflected in the popularity of Izz Café. We wish them continued success for the future.”