theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Covid-19: Why are deaths and hospitalisations falling so dramatically?

The recent rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Ireland has alarmed a public weary after almost six months of restrictions .
But there has also been a welcome fall-off in the numbers of people dying and being hospitalised due to the disease .
In the period from August 1st to August 26th , there were 2,300 confirmed cases of the disease in the State , but just 13 deaths .
This is a third of the rate at the height of the pandemic in April , when an average of 38 people a day were dying , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe , despite cases steadily creeping up in recent weeks , death rates are also markedly lower than they were earlier this year .
In Italy , where up to 900 people were dying a day in spring , more than 1,000 cases were confirmed last Saturday , but just three deaths were reported .
France recorded almost 5,000 new cases on Sunday , the highest daily total since May , but only one death .
In the UK , where deaths surpassed 1,000 a day during the worst of the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on average daily .
David Higgins , a data analyst with Carraighill Research , says the falling mortality rate is directly related to a decline in the number of over-65s contracting the virus .
Some 93 per cent of the State ’ s total deaths from the virus have been in this age group , with four in five among people over 75 and 44 per cent among those 85 and older .
About 90 per cent of all cases among the over-65s were nursing home residents .
Between March and the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed in nursing homes , resulting in 968 deaths .
These facilities account for 56 per cent of all Irish deaths from the virus , one of the highest rates in the world .
Since the end of June , the numbers over 65 getting the virus have fallen both in absolute terms and as a percentage of the population getting the disease .
In the month up until August 24th , the latest date for which figures are available , there were 119 cases among the over-65s .
The numbers are growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 cases in the over-65s in July .
Yet there were 427 cases among the same age category on April 22nd alone .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly warned on Wednesday that Ireland may have to go into lockdown again if the upward trend continues .
However , Higgins says the statistics suggest that measures to keep the elderly safe , including cocooning , are working .
“ Even if that is going to continue into the winter with a couple of hundred cases a day , you should still have a smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are protecting themselves.
” For a lesson in how complacency around coronavirus can have terrible consequences , one needs to look no further than Florida .
The state reopened from lockdown in early June , when it was experiencing 2,000 cases a day but few deaths , as the disease was mostly confined to the young .
Within a month , it was experiencing 15,000 cases and more than 250 deaths a day .
It became an epicentre of the pandemic in the United States .
Dr Emma Hodcroft , a molecular epidemiologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says data for that period in Florida showed the virus steadily creeping through the generations .
While noting Europe is not in the same space as Florida during July because mask wearing and social distancing are much more prevalent here , Hodcroft still sounds a note of concern .
“ I do think it ’ s wishful thinking to believe it will only stay in younger age groups .
We do not live in bubbles , and the more cases there are , the more opportunity to spill over into other age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many studies have shown we are not anywhere near herd immunity in most places in Europe , so there ’ s no reason to believe our older age groups are somehow protected from being infected – except through our actions as a society.
” Hodcroft sees the current spike across Europe as an “ alarm bell ” while deaths and hospitalisations continue to be low .
“ My hope is that we can take smaller actions now to get cases under control .
It is usually easier to control transmission while cases are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Clíona Ní Cheallaigh , an infectious diseases specialist at St James ’ s Hospital , believes the key to ensuring deaths do not rise again is to keep the virus out of nursing homes and other congregated settings where vulnerable people live .
This will also lead to lower hospitalisations and admissions to intensive care units .
“ It ’ s all about who it is infecting .
We had very few homeless cases because there was really good work done to stop the spread to them , ” she says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is spreading into is relatively okay , but we do see some young deaths and other people get really sick with it .
It ’ s not necessarily a minor illness in younger people.
” One theory around the reduction in deaths is that the virus itself is weakening .
Paul Tambyah , a senior infectious diseases consultant at the National University of Singapore , has suggested the particular strain which is currently circulating in Europe and in Asia is more infectious but less deadly than previous ones .
However , Kingston Mills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College Dublin , fundamentally disagrees .
If the virus had weakened , rates of hospitalisation would fall , but they have not done so , he argues .
“ There is no question that the virus has changed , but for people to think that it is less virulent than it was three or four months ago would be completely against all scientific principles as to how the viruses mutate.
” Ruairí Brugha , professor of epidemiology and public health medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , believes a key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors are now much better at treating the disease than previously .
“ I was in touch with the head of a major teaching hospital and the mortality in its intensive care unit is 10 per cent lower than in other countries .
We have to give credit to clinician management , ” he says , while cautioning that deaths will start to rise again if young people act irresponsibly .
“ The fact that young people are infected means they are not taking good preventative measures themselves .
They risk spreading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families that they come in contact with .
There are real risks to older people down the road .
”

In the period from August 1st to August 26th, there were 2,300 confirmed cases of the disease in the State, but just 13 deaths. Photograph: The Irish Times
The recent rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Ireland has alarmed a public weary after almost six months of restrictions. But there has also been a welcome fall-off in the numbers of people dying and being hospitalised due to the disease.
In the period from August 1st to August 26th, there were 2,300 confirmed cases of the disease in the State, but just 13 deaths*. At the height of the pandemic in April, 38 people a day were dying on average, many of them nursing home residents.
Across Europe, despite cases steadily creeping up in recent weeks, death rates are also markedly lower than they were earlier this year.
In Italy, where up to 900 people were dying a day in spring, more than 1,000 cases were confirmed last Saturday, but just three deaths were reported. France recorded almost 5,000 new cases on Sunday, the highest daily total since May, but only one death. In the UK, where deaths surpassed 1,000 a day during the worst of the pandemic, less than six people are now dying on average daily.
READ MORE
David Higgins, a data analyst with Carraighill Research, says the falling mortality rate is directly related to a decline in the number of over-65s contracting the virus.
Some 93 per cent of the State’s total deaths from the virus have been in this age group, with four in five among people over 75 and 44 per cent among those 85 and older.
Deaths
About 90 per cent of all cases among the over-65s were nursing home residents. Between March and the end of June, almost 6,000 cases were confirmed in nursing homes, resulting in 968 deaths. These facilities account for 56 per cent of all Irish deaths from the virus, one of the highest rates in the world.
Since the end of June, the numbers over 65 getting the virus have fallen both in absolute terms and as a percentage of the population getting the disease.
In the month up until August 24th, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 119 cases among the over-65s. The numbers are growing, though, as there were just 50 cases in the over-65s in July. Yet there were 427 cases among the same age category on April 22nd alone.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly warned on Wednesday that Ireland may have to go into lockdown again if the upward trend continues.
However, Higgins says the statistics suggest that measures to keep the elderly safe, including cocooning, are working . “Even if that is going to continue into the winter with a couple of hundred cases a day, you should still have a smaller share of over-65s getting it because they are protecting themselves.”
For a lesson in how complacency around coronavirus can have terrible consequences, one needs to look no further than Florida. The state reopened from lockdown in early June, when it was experiencing 2,000 cases a day but few deaths, as the disease was mostly confined to the young. Within a month, it was experiencing 15,000 cases and more than 250 deaths a day. It became an epicentre of the pandemic in the United States.
Dr Emma Hodcroft, a molecular epidemiologist at the University of Basel in Switzerland, says data for that period in Florida showed the virus steadily creeping through the generations.
While noting Europe is not in the same space as Florida during July because mask wearing and social distancing are much more prevalent here, Hodcroft still sounds a note of concern.
“I do think it’s wishful thinking to believe it will only stay in younger age groups. We do not live in bubbles, and the more cases there are, the more opportunity to spill over into other age groups,” she says.
“Many studies have shown we are not anywhere near herd immunity in most places in Europe, so there’s no reason to believe our older age groups are somehow protected from being infected – except through our actions as a society.”
Hodcroft sees the current spike across Europe as an “alarm bell” while deaths and hospitalisations continue to be low.
Control transmission
“My hope is that we can take smaller actions now to get cases under control. It is usually easier to control transmission while cases are low and test-and-trace is most effective.”
Dr Clíona Ní Cheallaigh, an infectious diseases specialist at St James’s Hospital, believes the key to ensuring deaths do not rise again is to keep the virus out of nursing homes and other congregated settings where vulnerable people live. This will also lead to lower hospitalisations and admissions to intensive care units.
“It’s all about who it is infecting. We had very few homeless cases because there was really good work done to stop the spread to them,” she says. “At the moment the group Covid-19 is spreading into is relatively okay, but we do see some young deaths and other people get really sick with it. It’s not necessarily a minor illness in younger people.”
One theory around the reduction in deaths is that the virus itself is weakening. Paul Tambyah, a senior infectious diseases consultant at the National University of Singapore, has suggested the particular strain which is currently circulating in Europe and in Asia is more infectious but less deadly than previous ones.
However, Kingston Mills, professor of experimental immunology at Trinity College Dublin, fundamentally disagrees. If the virus had weakened, rates of hospitalisation would fall, but they have not done so, he argues. "There is no question that the virus has changed, but for people to think that it is less virulent than it was three or four months ago would be completely against all scientific principles as to how the viruses mutate."
Ruairí Brugha, professor of epidemiology and public health medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, believes a key factor in lower death rates is that doctors are now much better at treating the disease than previously.
“I was in touch with the head of a major teaching hospital and the mortality in its intensive care unit is 10 per cent lower than in other countries. We have to give credit to clinician management,” he says, while cautioning that deaths will start to rise again if young people act irresponsibly.
“The fact that young people are infected means they are not taking good preventative measures themselves. They risk spreading the infection to the older people or their families that they come in contact with. There are real risks to older people down the road.”
*This article was amended on August 28th, 2020.


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Caranua urged to show ‘flexibility’ with closing date

Advocates for survivors of abuse at religious institutions have called on Caranua , the independent body established to manage a €110 million fund to improve their lives , to show “ flexibility ” on its closing date next month .
Amid fears many vulnerable survivors could lose out , they also want to know what will happen with leftover money .
Caranua was established under the 2012 Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act , to manage the fund pledged by the religious orders in whose institutions thousands of children suffered abuse .
It makes financial awards to survivors who apply under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , medical and educational .
It has said it will stop accepting quotes for works next week and will shut at the end of next month .
It has yet to clarify , however , what will happen in cases where quotes can not be submitted before the deadline ; where claims can not be finalised before the end of September ; or where an applicant who has appealed a Caranua decision to the Department of Education receives a positive outcome after the end of September .
Nor is it clear what will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shuts .
As of the end of July it had spent €94.9 million on services for survivors and €12.9 million on operational costs , including salaries and rent .
In all , 56,158 applications have been paid out .
As of last week , 261 cases remained open with a fund of almost €2 million still available .
The appeals officer was dealing with 13 cases , as of the end of July .
A Caranua spokeswoman said staff were working “ towards the completion ” of applications and were “ focused ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available ” to each “ within the guidelines before our closure ” .
“ Based on current projections the remainder of the fund will be utilised by survivors .
However , if there are remaining funds they will be a matter for the concern of the Minister for Education.
” The Department of Education said the matter was for Caranua .
Fionna Fox , a solicitor who has represented , on a pro-bono basis , more than 60 survivors in disagreements with Caranua , said she has two outstanding cases which have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She is “ hugely concerned these won ’ t be resolved ” by the time Caranua closes and said her clients ’ experience with Caranua has “ retraumatised them ” .
In one case , a survivor had work done on their home , sanctioned by Caranua and carried out by a Caranua-preferred contractor .
The work was “ substandard ” , according to Ms Fox .
She said the contractor was “ disrespectful ” and “ abusive ” to her client , refused to provide blue tiles as requested for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those in the institution where she had been abused .
“ He told her these were the tiles he used in all bathrooms.
” Disagreements over whether the original contractor should repair the work , the extent of remediation works needed and communication difficulties meant the case remains open , she said .
Independent TD Catherine Connolly , who has been a critic of Caranua , has raised this and a number outstanding cases with Minister for Education Norma Foley .
She has called for “ flexibility ” on closing dates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked the Minister : “ Please clarify what arrangements have Caranua made to deal with cases which are not fully completed by September 30th , 2020 ...
It would seem right and fair… for the fund to continue to support survivors by continuing to accept quotes and make payments until the money is exhausted.
” Ms Connolly said the department had acknowledged but not responded to her questions .
Caranua said it could not comment on individual cases .
Martin ( 66 ) , from Limerick , was sent to St Joseph ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Galway , when he was 11 , for missing school .
During his five years there , he experienced starvation , beatings , strenuous agricultural work and witnessed the aftermath of a younger boy having been raped .
“ I was terrified .
It was like a concentration camp , ” said Martin , who asked that his surname not be used .
Widowed in recent weeks , he has significant mobility issues .
He can not climb stairs .
With no bed or bathroom downstairs , he sleeps in an armchair , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urinates in his back yard .
In August 2014 he applied to Caranua for funding for a downstairs bathroom and bedroom .
An occupational therapist , chosen by Caranua , recommended a downstairs bathroom and bedroom in an extension at the back of the house .
Through 2015 Martin gathered quotes , staying in touch with Caranua .
In September 2015 , Caranua said it would not fund the extension because it was too expensive , at up to €85,000 .
In another letter , he was told : “ We can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it has not been recommended by a professional.
” In February 2017 the appeals officer told Caranua to look at installing a lift in his house and if this wasn ’ t possible , to reconsider building the extension .
In 2018 a lift was deemed unfeasible and Caranua said a new occupational therapist ’ s assessment was needed .
The therapist ’ s report in 2019 recommended “ a downstairs extension should be built out from the back of the house ” .
When Caranua agreed to fund a downstairs bathroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his solicitor Ms Fox , sought the assistance of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission .
On February 24th , 2020 Caranua agreed to pay for the extension .
However , a manhole cover in the narrow back yard means the extension must be built away from the main house .
To comply with building regulations the existing kitchen must be partially removed , reconfigured and connected to the extension by a corridor .
Caranua has said it will not fund the reconfigured kitchen or corridor and has referred Martin ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I am angry and worn out , ” says Martin .
“ I feel , the way Caranua has treated me , it ’ s like the money is coming out of their own pockets .
They aren ’ t interested in helping people like me .
I wonder now , with Caranua closing , will I ever use a shower or sleep in a bed again ?
”

Advocates for survivors of abuse at religious institutions are concerned that some vulnerable claimants may lose out. Photograph: Reuters/Christian Hartmann
Advocates for survivors of abuse at religious institutions have called on Caranua, the independent body established to manage a €110 million fund to improve their lives, to show “flexibility” on its closing date next month.
Amid fears many vulnerable survivors could lose out, they also want to know what will happen with leftover money.
Caranua was established under the 2012 Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act, to manage the fund pledged by the religious orders in whose institutions thousands of children suffered abuse.
It makes financial awards to survivors who apply under a number of headings, including housing, medical and educational.
READ MORE
It has said it will stop accepting quotes for works next week and will shut at the end of next month.
It has yet to clarify, however, what will happen in cases where quotes cannot be submitted before the deadline; where claims cannot be finalised before the end of September; or where an applicant who has appealed a Caranua decision to the Department of Education receives a positive outcome after the end of September. Nor is it clear what will happen to any undispersed funds once Caranua shuts.
As of the end of July it had spent €94.9 million on services for survivors and €12.9 million on operational costs, including salaries and rent.
In all, 56,158 applications have been paid out.
As of last week, 261 cases remained open with a fund of almost €2 million still available. The appeals officer was dealing with 13 cases, as of the end of July.
A Caranua spokeswoman said staff were working “towards the completion” of applications and were “focused” on getting the “maximum funding supports available” to each “within the guidelines before our closure”.
“Based on current projections the remainder of the fund will be utilised by survivors. However, if there are remaining funds they will be a matter for the concern of the Minister for Education.”
The Department of Education said the matter was for Caranua.
Fionna Fox, a solicitor who has represented, on a pro-bono basis, more than 60 survivors in disagreements with Caranua, said she has two outstanding cases which have been in progress for more than five years.
She is “hugely concerned these won’t be resolved” by the time Caranua closes and said her clients’ experience with Caranua has “retraumatised them”.
In one case, a survivor had work done on their home, sanctioned by Caranua and carried out by a Caranua-preferred contractor. The work was "substandard", according to Ms Fox.
She said the contractor was “disrespectful” and “abusive” to her client, refused to provide blue tiles as requested for her bathroom, instead using beige tiles similar to those in the institution where she had been abused. “He told her these were the tiles he used in all bathrooms.”
Disagreements over whether the original contractor should repair the work, the extent of remediation works needed and communication difficulties meant the case remains open, she said.
Independent TD Catherine Connolly, who has been a critic of Caranua, has raised this and a number outstanding cases with Minister for Education Norma Foley.
She has called for “flexibility” on closing dates.
In correspondence dated August 10th, she asked the Minister: “Please clarify what arrangements have Caranua made to deal with cases which are not fully completed by September 30th, 2020... It would seem right and fair… for the fund to continue to support survivors by continuing to accept quotes and make payments until the money is exhausted.”
Ms Connolly said the department had acknowledged but not responded to her questions.
Caranua said it could not comment on individual cases.
‘I am angry and worn out’
Martin (66), from Limerick, was sent to St Joseph's industrial school in Letterfrack, Co Galway, when he was 11, for missing school.
During his five years there, he experienced starvation, beatings, strenuous agricultural work and witnessed the aftermath of a younger boy having been raped. “I was terrified. It was like a concentration camp,” said Martin, who asked that his surname not be used.
Widowed in recent weeks, he has significant mobility issues. He cannot climb stairs. With no bed or bathroom downstairs, he sleeps in an armchair, cleans himself at the kitchen sink and urinates in his back yard. In August 2014 he applied to Caranua for funding for a downstairs bathroom and bedroom.
An occupational therapist, chosen by Caranua, recommended a downstairs bathroom and bedroom in an extension at the back of the house. Through 2015 Martin gathered quotes, staying in touch with Caranua.
In September 2015, Caranua said it would not fund the extension because it was too expensive, at up to €85,000. In another letter, he was told: “We cannot pay for a bathroom and bedroom extension as it has not been recommended by a professional.”
In February 2017 the appeals officer told Caranua to look at installing a lift in his house and if this wasn’t possible, to reconsider building the extension. In 2018 a lift was deemed unfeasible and Caranua said a new occupational therapist’s assessment was needed. The therapist’s report in 2019 recommended “a downstairs extension should be built out from the back of the house”.
When Caranua agreed to fund a downstairs bathroom but not the extension Martin, through his solicitor Ms Fox, sought the assistance of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. On February 24th, 2020 Caranua agreed to pay for the extension.
However, a manhole cover in the narrow back yard means the extension must be built away from the main house. To comply with building regulations the existing kitchen must be partially removed, reconfigured and connected to the extension by a corridor.
Caranua has said it will not fund the reconfigured kitchen or corridor and has referred Martin’s case back to the appeals officer.
“I am angry and worn out,” says Martin. “I feel, the way Caranua has treated me, it’s like the money is coming out of their own pockets. They aren’t interested in helping people like me. I wonder now, with Caranua closing, will I ever use a shower or sleep in a bed again?”


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Extra college places to be provided for ‘high-demand’ courses

Hundreds of additional college places in high-demand courses such as nursing , medicine , law , veterinary science and engineering are likely to be provided this year to help ease pressure on third-level applicants .
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris is understood to be preparing a plan due to go to Cabinet next week which would see universities boost the capacity of many high-demand courses by about 5 per cent .
Among the other courses being examined for expansion are post-primary teaching and dentistry .
One higher-education source confirmed that their college has been asked to increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programmes .
“ We ’ ve been asked to increase the numbers we take in .
Some courses have strict caps on numbers , but we ’ re looking at our capacity and there is room to increase our numbers , ” the source stated .
Officials believe there may be extra demand at home for courses this year due to fewer students travelling to study abroad because of the Covid-19 threat .
In addition , extra course places may ease pressure on CAO points for high-demand areas of study when thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7th .
Officials are understood to have so far identified “ several hundred ” additional college places which should be available in the new academic year , while colleges are continuing to examine the potential for further expansion .
One obstacle is a cap on numbers in some programmes such as medicine and veterinary science , based on the number of clinical placements that can be provided in a given year .
However , the Department of Further and Higher Education is understood to be in discussion with the Departments of Health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caps .
Another issue is the lack of physical space in colleges for additional students due to social-distancing requirements .
Some programmes , such as dentistry , are also limited by the number of dental chairs and related equipment .
Officials said they are being careful to avoid “ unbalancing ” the third-level system by attracting more students into degree courses at the expense of further education and other sectors .
Meanwhile , Department of Education officials are continuing to “ refine ” the system of calculated grades in light of controversy over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say a greater emphasis is being placed on school-issued percentage marks given to students rather than an algorithm which was linked to the large-scale downgrading of students ’ results in the UK .

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris is understood to be preparing a plan which would see universities boost the capacity of many high-demand courses. Photograph: Julien Behal Photography
Hundreds of additional college places in high-demand courses such as nursing, medicine, law, veterinary science and engineering are likely to be provided this year to help ease pressure on third-level applicants.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris is understood to be preparing a plan due to go to Cabinet next week which would see universities boost the capacity of many high-demand courses by about 5 per cent.
Among the other courses being examined for expansion are post-primary teaching and dentistry.
One higher-education source confirmed that their college has been asked to increase numbers in some of its key oversubscribed programmes.
READ MORE
“We’ve been asked to increase the numbers we take in. Some courses have strict caps on numbers, but we’re looking at our capacity and there is room to increase our numbers,” the source stated.
Officials believe there may be extra demand at home for courses this year due to fewer students travelling to study abroad because of the Covid-19 threat.
In addition, extra course places may ease pressure on CAO points for high-demand areas of study when thousands of students receive their calculated grades on September 7th.
Officials are understood to have so far identified “several hundred” additional college places which should be available in the new academic year, while colleges are continuing to examine the potential for further expansion.
One obstacle is a cap on numbers in some programmes such as medicine and veterinary science, based on the number of clinical placements that can be provided in a given year.
However, the Department of Further and Higher Education is understood to be in discussion with the Departments of Health and Agriculture over the potential to ease these caps.
Another issue is the lack of physical space in colleges for additional students due to social-distancing requirements. Some programmes, such as dentistry, are also limited by the number of dental chairs and related equipment.
Officials said they are being careful to avoid “unbalancing” the third-level system by attracting more students into degree courses at the expense of further education and other sectors.
Meanwhile, Department of Education officials are continuing to “refine” the system of calculated grades in light of controversy over the system in the UK.
Sources say a greater emphasis is being placed on school-issued percentage marks given to students rather than an algorithm which was linked to the large-scale downgrading of students’ results in the UK.


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Almost half of parents say finances have worsened due to Covid-19 crisis

Almost one in two parents sending their children back to school this week say their financial circumstances have worsened since the Covid-19 crisis began with one in four saying back to school costs have increased as a result of the pandemic , a new survey suggests .
All told , 42 per cent of those who took part in poll commissioned by life assurance company Zuraich Life said their financial situation has been negatively affected by Covid-19 through reduced income and/or increased costs .
The poll suggested that 23 per cent of parents believe they will suffer from increased financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the economic impact of the crisis while a similar number say the cost of rearing children has increased as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic The average annual calculated spend to send a child to secondary school is now €1,891 up €156 when compared to last year , the survey says .
Not doing enough While most secondary school expense categories remain relatively steady compared to last year , the Zurich research shows the highest spend during the secondary school year was grinds which was put at €368 ) and lunch which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of primary school children now estimate it costs €668 annually , an increase of €180 compared to last year while the the average calculated cost is actually €1,010 for one year of primary school ; When asked to grade schools 6 per cent of parents said primary schools were not doing enough to keep back-to-school costs down .
While three quarters of parents believe secondary schools could do more to help parents keep the costs of going back to school down .
To ease the financial burden of education costs , 13 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have taken out a loan to cover the cost of education while almost 16 per cent of secondary school parents have sought financial assistance to cover the financing of their child ’ s education .

The poll suggested that 23% of parents believe they will suffer from increased financial strain sending their children to school due to the economic impact of the pandemic. Photograph: David Sleator/The Irish Times
Almost one in two parents sending their children back to school this week say their financial circumstances have worsened since the Covid-19 crisis began with one in four saying back to school costs have increased as a result of the pandemic, a new survey suggests.
All told, 42 per cent of those who took part in poll commissioned by life assurance company Zurich Life said their financial situation has been negatively affected by Covid-19 through reduced income and/or increased costs.
The poll suggested that 23 per cent of parents believe they will suffer from increased financial strain sending their children to school due to the economic impact of the crisis while a similar number say the cost of rearing children has increased as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic
The average annual calculated spend to send a child to secondary school is now €1,891 up €156 when compared to last year, the survey says.
READ MORE
Not doing enough
While most secondary school expense categories remain relatively steady compared to last year, the Zurich research shows the highest spend during the secondary school year was grinds which was put at €368) and lunch which was said to cost €224.
Parents of primary school children now estimate it costs €668 annually, an increase of €180 compared to last year while the the average calculated cost is actually €1,010 for one year of primary school;
When asked to grade schools 6 per cent of parents said primary schools were not doing enough to keep back-to-school costs down. While three quarters of parents believe secondary schools could do more to help parents keep the costs of going back to school down.
To ease the financial burden of education costs, 13 per cent per cent of primary school parents have taken out a loan to cover the cost of education while almost 16 per cent of secondary school parents have sought financial assistance to cover the financing of their child’s education.


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Nearly 400 active outbreaks of coronavirus in the country at present

There are nearly 400 active outbreaks of coronavirus in the country at present , according to officials from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre .
Dr John Cuddihy , director of the HPSC , which monitors and analyses the number of Covid-19 cases in the State , said officials were seeing a “ significant number of outbreaks ” at present .
There are 392 active outbreaks of the virus in the State at present , 252 of which were related to social gatherings in private households , he said .
One recent outbreak in a pub/restaurant had been linked to 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 cases in another workplace .
Another outbreak in a restaurant involved 19 cases , Dr Cuddihy told a press briefing on Thursday .
Six cases had been traced to an outbreak in a sports club , with further transmission at an associated social gathering resulting in another 19 cases .
He said an outbreak in a retail outlet had seen seven staff contract the virus , as some of the workers continued to work while showing symptoms .
There were 93 new cases of coronavirus reported on Thursday , and no new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) .
Dublin has the highest number of new cases at 34 , while there are seven in Kildare , six each in Donegal and Laois , five each in Limerick and Waterford , with the remaining 30 cases spread over Carlow , Cavan , Clare , Cork , Louth , Meath , Monaghan , Offaly , Tipperary , Westmeath and Wicklow .
Speaking on Thursday , Prof Philip Nolan , chair of NPHET ’ s modelling group , said the R-number – the reproductive rate of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While current estimates were uncertain , this meant coronavirus was continuing to spread in the community .
He said health officials were also “ beginning to see a small but significant increase in the number of people in hospital ” .
At present there are 29 confirmed coronavirus patients in hospital , with five in critical care units .
He said the number of new cases had grown sharply in early August , with “ rapid transmission of the disease in large outbreaks in a number of settings ” .
The disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clusters into the community .
“ It moved from large workplace settings to smaller family and social outbreaks.
” Prof Nolan said the rate of community transmission “ appears to be stable at the moment but higher than we would like it to be ” .
The 14-day incidence of the virus is running at 33 per 100,000 , compared with 3 per 100,000 in June and July .
Dr Ronan Glynn , the acting chief medical officer , said he would not expect to see a “ downward trend just yet ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings introduced last week .
“ In the first instance we need a national focus over the next two weeks in getting the case numbers down.
” At a meeting on Thursday NPHET decided against recommending any early easing of local lockdown restrictions in Co Kildare , due to expire at the end of next week .
NPHET also decided against recommending that pubs that do not serve food can reopen on Monday .
In Northern Ireland one more person with coronavirus has died , while 69 new cases of Covid-19 have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister , Robin Swann , said he was concerned some licensed premises were “ flouting ” the coronavirus guidelines , and he intended to ask the Executive to “ prioritise stronger legislation ” to address it .
He was speaking after footage emerged showing guests dancing at a wedding , contrary to the guidelines .

Dr John Cuddihy, director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. He said officials were seeing a “significant number of outbreaks” at present. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
There are nearly 400 active outbreaks of coronavirus in the country at present, according to officials from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
Dr John Cuddihy, director of the HPSC, which monitors and analyses the number of Covid-19 cases in the State, said officials were seeing a "significant number of outbreaks" at present.
There are 392 active outbreaks of the virus in the State at present, 252 of which were related to social gatherings in private households, he said.
One recent outbreak in a pub/restaurant had been linked to 26 cases, which then spread further causing 10 cases in another workplace. Another outbreak in a restaurant involved 19 cases, Dr Cuddihy told a press briefing on Thursday.
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Six cases had been traced to an outbreak in a sports club, with further transmission at an associated social gathering resulting in another 19 cases.
He said an outbreak in a retail outlet had seen seven staff contract the virus, as some of the workers continued to work while showing symptoms.
There were 93 new cases of coronavirus reported on Thursday, and no new deaths, according to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
Dublin has the highest number of new cases at 34, while there are seven in Kildare, six each in Donegal and Laois, five each in Limerick and Waterford, with the remaining 30 cases spread over Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Tipperary, Westmeath and Wicklow.
Community
Speaking on Thursday, Prof Philip Nolan, chair of NPHET's modelling group, said the R-number – the reproductive rate of the virus – was between 1 and 1.2. While current estimates were uncertain, this meant coronavirus was continuing to spread in the community.
He said health officials were also “beginning to see a small but significant increase in the number of people in hospital”. At present there are 29 confirmed coronavirus patients in hospital, with five in critical care units.
He said the number of new cases had grown sharply in early August, with “rapid transmission of the disease in large outbreaks in a number of settings” .
The disease had spread from those workplace outbreaks and clusters into the community. “It moved from large workplace settings to smaller family and social outbreaks.”
Prof Nolan said the rate of community transmission “appears to be stable at the moment but higher than we would like it to be”.
The 14-day incidence of the virus is running at 33 per 100,000, compared with 3 per 100,000 in June and July.
Dr Ronan Glynn, the acting chief medical officer, said he would not expect to see a "downward trend just yet" of new cases, following limits on gatherings introduced last week. "In the first instance we need a national focus over the next two weeks in getting the case numbers down."
Restrictions
At a meeting on Thursday NPHET decided against recommending any early easing of local lockdown restrictions in Co Kildare, due to expire at the end of next week.
NPHET also decided against recommending that pubs that do not serve food can reopen on Monday.
In Northern Ireland one more person with coronavirus has died, while 69 new cases of Covid-19 have been identified .
The North's Health Minister, Robin Swann, said he was concerned some licensed premises were "flouting" the coronavirus guidelines, and he intended to ask the Executive to "prioritise stronger legislation" to address it.
He was speaking after footage emerged showing guests dancing at a wedding, contrary to the guidelines.


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--High court actions launched against chain of creches

Actions on behalf of 15 babies and toddlers have been launched in the High Court against a chain of creches at the centre of an RTÉ Investigates exposé broadcast last year , latest court records show .
In a fresh tranche of cases seeking damages , the parents of four children issued plenary summonses this week against Hyde And Seek Childcare Ltd and Hyde and Seek Glasnevin Ltd .
Husband and wife Anne and Peter Davy , and daughter Siobhán Davy , of Lindsey Road , Drumcondra , Dublin , are named as co-defendants in the cases against the family-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creches in north Dublin .
The RTÉ programme Creches – Behind Closed Doors , which aired in July last year , provoked a huge controversy which led to investigations by Tusla , the child and family agency , as well as by the gardaí .
The programme used undercover reporting to investigate the standard of care in the creche chain .
In one plenary summons , a child is seeking damages for personal injuries , loss and damages which he suffered “ as a result of the wrongful assault and battery occasioned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged that the defendants are “ vicariously liable ” and the child claims further damages for “ personal injuries , loss and damage caused by the negligence , breach of duty and breach of statutory duty of the defendants ” .
The children are being represented by Dublin-based Coleman Legal Partners .
It is understood up to 50 separate cases are to be brought against the defendants on behalf of children , and a further 20 on behalf of parents of children who attended the creches .
Following the broadcast of the RTÉ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oireachtas children ’ s committee was held and then children ’ s minister Katherine Zappone wrote to Tusla about strengthening its regulatory powers .
Tusla has issued proceedings alleging breaches of childcare regulations .
It also ordered the chain ’ s four creches – at Glasnevin , Tolka Road , Shaw Street and Millbourne Avenue – to shut by the end of last year .
However , a District Court granted a stay on the de-registration of the crèches , allowing them to remain open .
Separately , a file has been sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Prosecutions .
In March this year , the Hyde and Seek childcare group lodged defamation proceedings in the High Court against RTÉ over its programme .
The proceedings were taken by Hyde and Seek Childcare Ltd , Hyde and Seek Glasnevin Ltd , and Anne and Peter and Siobhán Davy .
Defamation proceedings can be taken at any time within a year of the alleged defamation .

In March this year, the Hyde and Seek childcare group lodged defamation proceedings in the High Court against RTÉ over its programme. Photograph: Collins Courts
Actions on behalf of 15 babies and toddlers have been launched in the High Court against a chain of creches at the centre of an RTÉ Investigates exposé broadcast last year, latest court records show.
In a fresh tranche of cases seeking damages, the parents of four children issued plenary summonses this week against Hyde And Seek Childcare Ltd and Hyde and Seek Glasnevin Ltd.
Husband and wife Anne and Peter Davy, and daughter Siobhán Davy, of Lindsey Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, are named as co-defendants in the cases against the family-run business, which operates a number of creches in north Dublin.
The RTÉ programme Creches – Behind Closed Doors, which aired in July last year, provoked a huge controversy which led to investigations by Tusla, the child and family agency, as well as by the gardaí.
READ MORE
The programme used undercover reporting to investigate the standard of care in the creche chain.
In one plenary summons, a child is seeking damages for personal injuries, loss and damages which he suffered “as a result of the wrongful assault and battery occasioned to him” by staff.
It is alleged that the defendants are “vicariously liable” and the child claims further damages for “personal injuries , loss and damage caused by the negligence, breach of duty and breach of statutory duty of the defendants”.
Multiple cases
The children are being represented by Dublin-based Coleman Legal Partners.
It is understood up to 50 separate cases are to be brought against the defendants on behalf of children, and a further 20 on behalf of parents of children who attended the creches.
Following the broadcast of the RTÉ programme, an emergency meeting of the Oireachtas children’s committee was held and then children’s minister Katherine Zappone wrote to Tusla about strengthening its regulatory powers.
Tusla has issued proceedings alleging breaches of childcare regulations. It also ordered the chain’s four creches – at Glasnevin, Tolka Road, Shaw Street and Millbourne Avenue – to shut by the end of last year.
However, a District Court granted a stay on the de-registration of the crèches, allowing them to remain open.
Separately, a file has been sent by the gardaí to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In March this year, the Hyde and Seek childcare group lodged defamation proceedings in the High Court against RTÉ over its programme.
The proceedings were taken by Hyde and Seek Childcare Ltd, Hyde and Seek Glasnevin Ltd, and Anne and Peter and Siobhán Davy.
Defamation proceedings can be taken at any time within a year of the alleged defamation.


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Seminar in Dublin church on Tuam children’s home cancelled due to Covid-19

A “ history seminar ” challenging findings of various Commissions of Inquiry into child abuse and planned for Dublin ’ s University Church on Stephen ’ s Green next Sunday has been cancelled .
Advertised as a history seminar “ with particular reference to the Tuam Children ’ s Home ” likely attendees had been advised to “ arrive early as numbers are restricted due to Government Covid-19 restrictions.
” A spokeswoman for Dublin ’ s Catholic archdiocese said staff at the University Church had “ confirmed that the event due to take place this Sunday has been cancelled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at places of worship is for religious services only .
No other gatherings are permitted.
” The theme of the seminar was : “ Do modern Irish historians exaggerate the role of the Catholic Church in independent Ireland ” and speakers scheduled to take part included Brian Nugent , author of the book @ Tuambabies : A critical look at the Tuam Children ’ s Home Scandal .
It challenges findings of local historian Catherine Corless concerning the Tuam Mother and Baby Home and those made there by the Mother and Baby Home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interim report .
It found that “ significant quantities of human remains ” had been discovered there , in what appeared to be a sewage tank .
The remains involved “ a number of individuals with age-at-death ranges from approximately 35 foetal weeks to two to three years , ” it said .
Mr Nugent was to speak on “ Did home rule equal Rome rule in independent Ireland ?
” Another scheduled speaker was Eugene Jordan , author of False History Underpinning the Irish Mother and Baby Home Scandals .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuam Children ’ s Home story , a failure of modern Irish historiography.
” The third scheduled speaker was Rory Connor , described as an “ expert on various Commissions and Inquiries ” as well as author of the irishsalem blogspot.com website .
He was to speak on “ False allegations of child abuse against the Catholic Church , including homicide ” .

The site of a mass grave for children who died in the Tuam mother and baby home, Co Galway. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA
A "history seminar" challenging findings of various Commissions of Inquiry into child abuse and planned for Dublin's University Church on Stephen's Green next Sunday has been cancelled.
Advertised as a history seminar "with particular reference to the Tuam Children's Home" likely attendees had been advised to "arrive early as numbers are restricted due to Government Covid-19 restrictions."
A spokeswoman for Dublin’s Catholic archdiocese said staff at the University Church had “confirmed that the event due to take place this Sunday has been cancelled. Current Government guidance permitting people to gather at places of worship is for religious services only. No other gatherings are permitted.”
The theme of the seminar was: "Do modern Irish historians exaggerate the role of the Catholic Church in independent Ireland" and speakers scheduled to take part included Brian Nugent, author of the book @Tuambabies: A critical look at the Tuam Children's Home Scandal.
READ MORE
It challenges findings of local historian Catherine Corless concerning the Tuam Mother and Baby Home and those made there by the Mother and Baby Home Commission, published in its March 2017 interim report.
It found that “significant quantities of human remains” had been discovered there, in what appeared to be a sewage tank. The remains involved “a number of individuals with age-at-death ranges from approximately 35 foetal weeks to two to three years,” it said.
Mr Nugent was to speak on "Did home rule equal Rome rule in independent Ireland?" Another scheduled speaker was Eugene Jordan, author of False History Underpinning the Irish Mother and Baby Home Scandals. He was to give a talk on "The Tuam Children's Home story, a failure of modern Irish historiography."
The third scheduled speaker was Rory Connor, described as an "expert on various Commissions and Inquiries" as well as author of the irishsalem blogspot.com website. He was to speak on "False allegations of child abuse against the Catholic Church, including homicide".


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Whole class will not be automatically tested if Covid-19 case confirmed - HSE

All pupils in a class will not automatically be referred for testing if there is a confirmed coronavirus case in the classroom , according to health guidelines for schools reopening .
The number of students in a class deemed “ close contacts ” of pupils who test positive for Covid-19 will be “ variable ” to each classroom and school , the HSE guidance states .
In primary schools where pupils will be divided into smaller “ pods ” within the class , all those within the pod grouping of a confirmed case will likely be deemed a close contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing , the guidance states .
However , students in other “ pods ” in the same classroom will not necessarily be deemed close contacts , it states .
At second level the number of students deemed to be close contacts of a case will depend on the size of the classroom , and how close their desk was to the confirmed case .
It will also include other factors such as if the pupil is in the same friend group of the confirmed case .
HSE guidelines prepared for how to manage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ no blanket policy to test entire classes or years.
” Decisions around how many pupils are to be deemed close contacts will follow individual risk assessments , the guidelines state .
The criteria for how many pupils will be referred for testing will be expanded based on how many days the student spent in school , and if they tested positive after showing symptoms while in class .
If a pupil begins to display symptoms , such as a cough or fever , schools are advised to isolate the child in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ good ventilation and preferably an outside window opened , ” the guidance states .
Parents will be contacted by the school to collect their child , and then asked to consult with their General Practitioner ( GP ) , who will decide whether to refer the child for a Covid-19 test .
Schools are asked to bear in mind some children often have a persistent cough or cold throughout the year .
Dr John Cuddihy , director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) , said “ fast track testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and staff at schools .
Results from test swabs would be expected to come back in 24 hours , or 48 hours at the latest , he said .
If a child or teacher has been removed from a class following coronavirus symptoms , the parents of other children do not need to be informed , the guidance stated .
If a child tests positive for Covid-19 , the parents of the pupil will be informed by the HSE , and not the school .
The HSE will then inform the identified close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an assessment of the classroom layout and other factors , and advise parents of those children what steps are required .
Close contacts are required to self-isolate at home and are tested for coronavirus , and then tested again seven days later .
Dr Abigail Collins , HSE consultant in public health medicine , said schools would be permitted to inform all parents if there had been a confirmed case in the facility , and advise them that if pupils were identified as close contacts parents would be contacted by public health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not use a “ one size fits all ” approach when it came to dealing with cases or outbreaks in schools .
The guidelines , sent out to schools on Thursday , outline when public health officials may require the entire or partial closure of a school in response to an outbreak .
Decisions to close a school will be based on a number of factors , including the number of cases detected among staff and pupils , the physical layout of the school and its ability to increase social distancing or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School closures may follow “ evidence or concern that spread within the school is the primary driver of cases , or suspect cases , ” it states .
This would be where the virus is suspected of spreading within the school , rather than confirmed cases among staff or pupils being linked to transmission in the wider community .
Decisions to close schools would also follow “ any evidence that significant spread in the wider community can be shown , or be highly suspected , of being linked or intertwined with the educational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Each educational facility Covid-19 outbreak will be assessed on an individual basis and a unique decision made as to whether it is safe for the facility to remain fully or partially open , ” the guidelines state .
Dr Ronan Glynn , acting chief medical officer , said they expected cases among young people and school pupils over the coming weeks .
“ There will be anxiety , there will be concern , there will be rumour and misinformation , ” he said .
Professor Philip Nolan , chair of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modelling group , said people “ overestimate the amount of contact that actually occurs in school settings , ” and as such entire classrooms should not be deemed close contacts of confirmed cases .
“ It ’ s been studied and we don ’ t have close contact with all the other 25 kids in our class every day , it ’ s actually much more closer to three to five , ” he said .

The number of students in a class deemed “close contacts” of pupils who test positive for Covid-19 will be “variable” to each classroom and school, the HSE guidance states. Photograph: iStock
All pupils in a class will not automatically be referred for testing if there is a confirmed coronavirus case in the classroom, according to health guidelines for schools reopening.
The number of students in a class deemed “close contacts” of pupils who test positive for Covid-19 will be “variable” to each classroom and school, the HSE guidance states.
In primary schools where pupils will be divided into smaller “pods” within the class, all those within the pod grouping of a confirmed case will likely be deemed a close contact and required to self-isolate while referred for testing, the guidance states. However, students in other “pods” in the same classroom will not necessarily be deemed close contacts, it states.
At second level the number of students deemed to be close contacts of a case will depend on the size of the classroom, and how close their desk was to the confirmed case. It will also include other factors such as if the pupil is in the same friend group of the confirmed case.
READ MORE
HSE guidelines prepared for how to manage confirmed cases and outbreaks state there will be “no blanket policy to test entire classes or years.”
Decisions around how many pupils are to be deemed close contacts will follow individual risk assessments, the guidelines state.
The criteria for how many pupils will be referred for testing will be expanded based on how many days the student spent in school, and if they tested positive after showing symptoms while in class.
If a pupil begins to display symptoms, such as a cough or fever, schools are advised to isolate the child in a “pre-identified place” which has “good ventilation and preferably an outside window opened,” the guidance states.
Parents will be contacted by the school to collect their child, and then asked to consult with their General Practitioner (GP), who will decide whether to refer the child for a Covid-19 test. Schools are asked to bear in mind some children often have a persistent cough or cold throughout the year.
Dr John Cuddihy, director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), said “fast track testing” will be in place for pupils and staff at schools. Results from test swabs would be expected to come back in 24 hours, or 48 hours at the latest, he said.
If a child or teacher has been removed from a class following coronavirus symptoms, the parents of other children do not need to be informed, the guidance stated.
Close contacts
If a child tests positive for Covid-19, the parents of the pupil will be informed by the HSE, and not the school. The HSE will then inform the identified close contacts of the case, based on an assessment of the classroom layout and other factors, and advise parents of those children what steps are required.
Close contacts are required to self-isolate at home and are tested for coronavirus, and then tested again seven days later.
Dr Abigail Collins, HSE consultant in public health medicine, said schools would be permitted to inform all parents if there had been a confirmed case in the facility, and advise them that if pupils were identified as close contacts parents would be contacted by public health officials.
Dr Collins said public health officials would not use a “one size fits all” approach when it came to dealing with cases or outbreaks in schools.
The guidelines, sent out to schools on Thursday, outline when public health officials may require the entire or partial closure of a school in response to an outbreak.
Decisions to close a school will be based on a number of factors, including the number of cases detected among staff and pupils, the physical layout of the school and its ability to increase social distancing or hygiene measures, the guidelines state.
School closures may follow “evidence or concern that spread within the school is the primary driver of cases, or suspect cases,” it states. This would be where the virus is suspected of spreading within the school, rather than confirmed cases among staff or pupils being linked to transmission in the wider community.
Decisions to close schools would also follow “any evidence that significant spread in the wider community can be shown, or be highly suspected, of being linked or intertwined with the educational facility setting,” the guidance states.
“Each educational facility Covid-19 outbreak will be assessed on an individual basis and a unique decision made as to whether it is safe for the facility to remain fully or partially open,” the guidelines state.
Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer, said they expected cases among young people and school pupils over the coming weeks. “There will be anxiety, there will be concern, there will be rumour and misinformation,” he said.
Professor Philip Nolan, chair of the National Public Health Emergency Team’s modelling group, said people “overestimate the amount of contact that actually occurs in school settings,” and as such entire classrooms should not be deemed close contacts of confirmed cases.
“It’s been studied and we don’t have close contact with all the other 25 kids in our class every day, it’s actually much more closer to three to five,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Ireland has ideal combination of leaders to tackle obesity crisis – health expert

Widespread “ random cruelty ” directed at people who are obese highlights the importance of changing the mindset , according to a health expert .
Prof Donal O ’ Shea said Ireland now has the ideal combination of political leaders to tackle the crisis “ if only we could pull ourselves out of Golfgate ” .
The consultant endocrinologist and physician said the Covid-19 pandemic should focus political minds on the need to tackle the stigma surrounding obesity and the lack of access to treatment .
He said it was a good time for the Government to tackle the obesity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to treatment .
“ Micheál Martin was Minister for Health when he launched the obesity taskforce and I hoped it might get legs now that he is Taoiseach .
Unfortunately he has been otherwise distracted with his attention being diverted from one event to the another , ” said Prof O ’ Shea .
He added that with Leo Varadkar another former minister for health as Tánaiste and given the leader of the Green Party Eamon Ryan ’ s interest in active transport “ If ever we had the right combination in Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we could only pull ourselves out of Golfgate ” .
Prof O ’ Shea , the HSE clinical lead for obesity was one of a number of experts who addressed the second annual Obesity Summer School , an online event hosted by the HSE and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland on Thursday .
With 60 per cent of adults and one in five children in Ireland classed as overweight or obese , Prof O ’ Shea said too many people regarded obesity as a “ lifestyle choice ” and this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case of a man in his 50s who just last week was subjected to a torrent of abuse by someone driving past who rolled down a car window and shouted abusive comments about his weight .
Prof O ’ Shea said a woman in the Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity ( ICPO ) had also recently shared a story of how when she lost her phone and picked up a friend ’ s phone to ring her own number , she discovered herself listed as “ fat Louise ” .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who listed her friend in this way but it did show how obese people are judged , including by members of the medical profession , said the consultant .
He said suggesting that people who are obese should simply “ eat less and move more ” was like telling people with lung cancer to give up cigarettes without providing any treatment .
“ This attitude is almost more prevalent within the medial profession and the average medic or physiotherapist is leaner so there is often a sense of being judged among who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said many people wrongly believed willpower was all that was needed to combat obesity .
“ If it was just about willpower 60 per cent of the population wouldn ’ t be affected .
If it was about willpower the person who is 25 stone who wants to not be 25 stone would simply eat less .
It is not that simple , ” he stressed .
The summer school was particularly timely this year “ because we are increasingly realising the stigma associated with obesity ” and also because of research showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor outcomes if they developed Covid-19 .
An international study published this week by the University of North Carolina ( UNC ) , Saudi Health Council and World Bank showed that obesity increases the risk of dying from Covid-19 by 48 per cent and the risk of needing intensive care after contracting the virus , by 74 per cent .
Prof O ’ Shea said this was in line with the experience here .

‘Micheál Martin (right, with Leo Varadkar, centre, and Eamon Ryan) was Minister for Health when he launched the obesity taskforce and I hoped it might get legs now that he is Taoiseach,’ said Prof Donal O’Shea. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Widespread “random cruelty” directed at people who are obese highlights the importance of changing the mindset, according to a health expert.
Prof Donal O’Shea said Ireland now has the ideal combination of political leaders to tackle the crisis “if only we could pull ourselves out of Golfgate”.
The consultant endocrinologist and physician said the Covid-19 pandemic should focus political minds on the need to tackle the stigma surrounding obesity and the lack of access to treatment.
He said it was a good time for the Government to tackle the obesity crisis by changing mindsets and improving access to treatment.
READ MORE
“Micheál Martin was Minister for Health when he launched the obesity taskforce and I hoped it might get legs now that he is Taoiseach. Unfortunately he has been otherwise distracted with his attention being diverted from one event to the another,” said Prof O’Shea.
He added that with Leo Varadkar another former minister for health as Tánaiste and given the leader of the Green Party Eamon Ryan’s interest in active transport “If ever we had the right combination in Government to tackle obesity it is now if we could only pull ourselves out of Golfgate”.
Prof O’Shea, the HSE clinical lead for obesity was one of a number of experts who addressed the second annual Obesity Summer School, an online event hosted by the HSE and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland on Thursday.
With 60 per cent of adults and one in five children in Ireland classed as overweight or obese, Prof O’Shea said too many people regarded obesity as a “lifestyle choice” and this was exacerbating the stigma.
He highlighted one case of a man in his 50s who just last week was subjected to a torrent of abuse by someone driving past who rolled down a car window and shouted abusive comments about his weight.
Prof O’Shea said a woman in the Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ICPO) had also recently shared a story of how when she lost her phone and picked up a friend’s phone to ring her own number, she discovered herself listed as “fat Louise”. There was no malice intended by the woman who listed her friend in this way but it did show how obese people are judged, including by members of the medical profession, said the consultant.
He said suggesting that people who are obese should simply “eat less and move more” was like telling people with lung cancer to give up cigarettes without providing any treatment. “This attitude is almost more prevalent within the medial profession and the average medic or physiotherapist is leaner so there is often a sense of being judged among who are obese”.
Prof O’Shea said many people wrongly believed willpower was all that was needed to combat obesity. “If it was just about willpower 60 per cent of the population wouldn’t be affected. If it was about willpower the person who is 25 stone who wants to not be 25 stone would simply eat less. It is not that simple,” he stressed.
The summer school was particularly timely this year “because we are increasingly realising the stigma associated with obesity” and also because of research showing that people with severe obesity had very poor outcomes if they developed Covid-19.
An international study published this week by the University of North Carolina (UNC), Saudi Health Council and World Bank showed that obesity increases the risk of dying from Covid-19 by 48 per cent and the risk of needing intensive care after contracting the virus, by 74 per cent. Prof O’Shea said this was in line with the experience here.


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Vast majority of parents worried about safety of schools

The vast majority of parents are concerned about whether their children ’ s schools will be able to provide a safe environment .
The results are based on an online survey of a national sample of 1,333 parents or guardians conducted earlier this month by the Central Statistics Office ( CSO ) .
While 86 per cent have concerns over safeguards in schools aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 , of those , 32 per cent are “ extremely ” or “ very ” concerned .
A small but significant proportion of parents – 6.5 per cent – reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to school due to health concerns .
While the survey shows high levels of concern , one in five parents say they are unlikely to vaccinate their school child even if a jab for Covid-19 becomes available .
The likelihood of parents availing of a Covid-19 vaccine for their children increases with their level of education .
For example , parents with a college degree or higher were significantly more likely to avail of a vaccine compared with those with second-level education only .
The survey also found that school closures have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ages .
Among those with a child due to sit the Leaving Cert next year , some 67 per cent said the closures had a major or moderate negative impact on their child ’ s learning .
Most pupils themselves are also concerned about returning to school and complying with social distancing rules , reconnecting with classmates or being away from home .
The level of concern is lowest among children in the early years of primary and peaks in the junior cycle of secondary school .
Many parents also reported that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on learning during the lockdown .
A majority ( 67 per cent ) of parents with primary school children and significant numbers ( 41 per cent ) of parents with secondary school children said their child spent two hours or less daily on school-related learning activities .
The survey also explores the likely impact on parents if schools close again .
About half say their work will be disrupted .
A total of 17 per cent of female respondents with a primary school pupil reported that they may have to give up work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , a group of academics and scientists has warned that the reopening of schools will increase the risk of community transmission of Covid-19 and put pressure on our testing systems .
The Zero-Covid Island group said case numbers were rising across the country along with widespread community transmission due to a policy choice of “ living with the virus ” .
As a result , it said there would very likely be school outbreaks , as seen in many other countries .
“ If the rate of transmission of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we expect to see fewer outbreaks , and less disruption to education , ” said Prof Anthony Staines , a member of the Zero-Covid Island group .
“ However , all schools will need to be able to offer distance learning to their students.
” He said that as long as we continue with the current policy of living with the virus , our return to school would be risky .
“ While opening schools has to have a high priority , current conditions pose some risks for children , teachers , families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to manage these .
”

Transition year students wear face masks on their first day back at school at Mount Sackville Secondary School in Chapelizod. Photograph: Alan Betson
The vast majority of parents are concerned about whether their children’s schools will be able to provide a safe environment.
The results are based on an online survey of a national sample of 1,333 parents or guardians conducted earlier this month by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
While 86 per cent have concerns over safeguards in schools aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, of those, 32 per cent are “extremely” or “very” concerned.
A small but significant proportion of parents – 6.5 per cent – reported they will not be sending their child to school due to health concerns.
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While the survey shows high levels of concern, one in five parents say they are unlikely to vaccinate their school child even if a jab for Covid-19 becomes available. The likelihood of parents availing of a Covid-19 vaccine for their children increases with their level of education. For example, parents with a college degree or higher were significantly more likely to avail of a vaccine compared with those with second-level education only.
The survey also found that school closures have had a significant impact on children of all ages. Among those with a child due to sit the Leaving Cert next year, some 67 per cent said the closures had a major or moderate negative impact on their child’s learning.
Most pupils themselves are also concerned about returning to school and complying with social distancing rules, reconnecting with classmates or being away from home.
The level of concern is lowest among children in the early years of primary and peaks in the junior cycle of secondary school.
Learning at home
Many parents also reported that their children spent relatively short periods of time on learning during the lockdown.
A majority (67 per cent) of parents with primary school children and significant numbers (41 per cent) of parents with secondary school children said their child spent two hours or less daily on school-related learning activities.
The survey also explores the likely impact on parents if schools close again. About half say their work will be disrupted. A total of 17 per cent of female respondents with a primary school pupil reported that they may have to give up work compared with 4 per cent of males.
Community transmission
Meanwhile, a group of academics and scientists has warned that the reopening of schools will increase the risk of community transmission of Covid-19 and put pressure on our testing systems.
The Zero-Covid Island group said case numbers were rising across the country along with widespread community transmission due to a policy choice of “living with the virus”.
As a result, it said there would very likely be school outbreaks, as seen in many other countries.
"If the rate of transmission of the virus in the community is brought down, we expect to see fewer outbreaks, and less disruption to education," said Prof Anthony Staines, a member of the Zero-Covid Island group.
“However, all schools will need to be able to offer distance learning to their students.”
He said that as long as we continue with the current policy of living with the virus, our return to school would be risky.
“While opening schools has to have a high priority, current conditions pose some risks for children, teachers, families and the community. Schools are working hard to manage these.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Coronavirus: 93 more cases confirmed as NPHET rules out pub reopenings next week

A further 93 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the State on Thursday as public health officials ruled out a reopening of additional pubs next week .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) considered the reopening of pubs that do not serve food at a meeting on Thursday .
Previously , the earliest pubs would be permitted to reopen was Monday , August 31st .
Following the meeting , acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said “ we didn ’ t feel that we could recommend today that it would be appropriate for pubs to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered again in two weeks time , along with other recent restrictions on indoor gatherings to six people , and 15 outdoors .
Dr Glynn also said current restrictions in place for Co Kildare would not be lifted early due to continuing high numbers of coronavirus cases in the county .
Dr Glynn said the situation in the county had been “ improving and stabilising , ” after large increases in cases linked to clusters in several food processing plants .
In the past 14 days there has been 329 Covid-19 cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus ’ spread was slowing , it remains the highest in the State , he said .
“ In just over the last seven days Kildare has had more cases per population than any other county in the country .
The situation is improving and we ’ re confident everything is going in the right direction , but if we release the measures too early we could see a rebound in the opposite direction , ” Dr Glynn said .
No further deaths from Covid-19 were reported by NPHET , leaving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases in the country now stands at 28,453 .
Dublin has the highest number of new cases at 34 while there are seven in Kildare , six each in Donegal and Laois , five each in Limerick and Waterford with the remaining 30 cases spread over Carlow , Cavan , Clare , Cork , Louth , Meath , Monaghan , Offaly , Tipperary , Westmeath and Wicklow .
The majority of the cases , 73 , are associated with outbreaks or close contacts of a confirmed case while 12 were identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 52 of the new cases and women account for 41 while 70 per cent of the total number of new cases are under the age of 45 .
Professor Philip Nolan , chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group , said : “ The R-number is now between 1 and 1.2 .
While this is an improvement on what we have seen recently , it is still not where we want to be .
We are still seeing growing transmission of the disease and we need to bring the R-number back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow the spread of Covid-19 and suppress its transmission.
” The briefing heard 392 outbreaks of the virus were currently being investigated by public health teams .
Of those 252 are related to social gatherings in private houses .
There were also outbreaks in workplaces , in other social settings and retail outlets .
One outbreak in a pub/restaurant involved 26 cases and that subsequently led to 10 additional cases in another workplace .
Another restaurant had 19 cases and it involved staff , customers and was associated with a family outbreak separately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports club and there was then transmission at an associated social gathering resulting in 19 further cases .
There was an outbreak too in a retail outlet that involved seven cases in staff some of whom worked while symptomatic .
In Northern Ireland , one more person with coronavirus has died , bringing the total number of fatalities recorded by the North ’ s department of health to 560 .
A total of 69 new cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the North in the last 24 hours , bringing the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic began to 6,964 .
Earlier on Thursday , Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government is determined to take measures to avoid a fresh lockdown over Covid-19 but “ the danger and challenge is always there ” .
Speaking to reporters in Limerick , Mr Martin said NPHET “ have given us advice which we have adopted and we ’ ve implemented , and obviously the way the numbers are going , NPHET are constantly wary of that [ lockdown ] prospect , and the reason we adopted the measures last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t get to that situation , but it ’ s fluid.
” Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly told an Oireachtas committee on Wednesday the State was at a “ tipping point ” , and that the coronavirus pandemic is “ close to having us lock down the country again ” .
Asked about Mr Donnelly ’ s comments , the Taoiseach said : “ The big story this week is the reopening of our schools - a million people between students and teachers coming back into our schools .
“ We have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of teachers , SNAs , and school managements , really good to see the contribution they have made to enabling children return to school .
“ Our strategy is to live with Covid-19 , to protect jobs , particularly manufacturing facilities like the one we visited this morning - to get our schools open again ; and to resume our health services .
And , by taking the measures we have taken , we want to try and avoid the lockdown , but the danger and challenge is always there.
” Mr Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 400 jobs at US pharmaceutical firm Regeneron .
Speaking at the Oireachtas committee on Covid-19 , Mr Donnelly said that if public health advice is followed , schools and businesses can remain open and the virus can be suppressed .
However , he said : “ the reality is we are dealing with a virus that is close to having us lock down the country again .
The public health advice is that we are at a tipping point and we are doing everything we can to suppress this virus to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if a second lockdown were to happen , healthcare services will be “ severely curtailed ” .
Currently , the strategy is to use “ targeted measures to suppress the virus while keeping as much of our society and our economy open as possible ” .
He argued that the experiences of Kildare , Laois , and Offaly showed that suppressing the virus through this strategy was possible .
He warned , however : “ If there is a second wave the Government will have to consider the blunt instrument which we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown .
We are doing everything we can to avoid that .
”

Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has said that the current restrictions in place for Co Kildare would not yet be lifted, and that they have ruled out a reopening of additional pubs next week. Video: RTE
A further 93 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the State on Thursday as public health officials ruled out a reopening of additional pubs next week.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) considered the reopening of pubs that do not serve food at a meeting on Thursday. Previously, the earliest pubs would be permitted to reopen was Monday, August 31st.
Following the meeting, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said “we didn’t feel that we could recommend today that it would be appropriate for pubs to reopen next week.”
The matter would be considered again in two weeks time, along with other recent restrictions on indoor gatherings to six people, and 15 outdoors.
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Dr Glynn also said current restrictions in place for Co Kildare would not be lifted early due to continuing high numbers of coronavirus cases in the county.
Dr Glynn said the situation in the county had been “improving and stabilising,” after large increases in cases linked to clusters in several food processing plants.
In the past 14 days there has been 329 Covid-19 cases in Kildare, and while the rate of the virus’ spread was slowing, it remains the highest in the State, he said.
“In just over the last seven days Kildare has had more cases per population than any other county in the country. The situation is improving and we’re confident everything is going in the right direction, but if we release the measures too early we could see a rebound in the opposite direction,” Dr Glynn said.
No further deaths from Covid-19 were reported by NPHET, leaving the death toll at 1,777. The total number of cases in the country now stands at 28,453.
Dublin has the highest number of new cases at 34 while there are seven in Kildare, six each in Donegal and Laois, five each in Limerick and Waterford with the remaining 30 cases spread over Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Tipperary, Westmeath and Wicklow.
The majority of the cases, 73, are associated with outbreaks or close contacts of a confirmed case while 12 were identified as community transmission.
Men account for 52 of the new cases and women account for 41 while 70 per cent of the total number of new cases are under the age of 45.
Professor Philip Nolan, chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said: “The R-number is now between 1 and 1.2. While this is an improvement on what we have seen recently, it is still not where we want to be. We are still seeing growing transmission of the disease and we need to bring the R-number back below 1 if we are to effectively slow the spread of Covid-19 and suppress its transmission.”
The briefing heard 392 outbreaks of the virus were currently being investigated by public health teams. Of those 252 are related to social gatherings in private houses. There were also outbreaks in workplaces, in other social settings and retail outlets.
One outbreak in a pub/restaurant involved 26 cases and that subsequently led to 10 additional cases in another workplace.
Another restaurant had 19 cases and it involved staff, customers and was associated with a family outbreak separately.
Another involved six cases in a sports club and there was then transmission at an associated social gathering resulting in 19 further cases.
There was an outbreak too in a retail outlet that involved seven cases in staff some of whom worked while symptomatic.
In Northern Ireland, one more person with coronavirus has died, bringing the total number of fatalities recorded by the North’s department of health to 560.
A total of 69 new cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the North in the last 24 hours, bringing the number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland since the pandemic began to 6,964.
Lockdown risk
Earlier on Thursday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government is determined to take measures to avoid a fresh lockdown over Covid-19 but “the danger and challenge is always there”.
Speaking to reporters in Limerick, Mr Martin said NPHET “have given us advice which we have adopted and we’ve implemented, and obviously the way the numbers are going, NPHET are constantly wary of that [lockdown] prospect, and the reason we adopted the measures last week was to make sure we don’t get to that situation, but it’s fluid.”
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly told an Oireachtas committee on Wednesday the State was at a “tipping point”, and that the coronavirus pandemic is “close to having us lock down the country again”.
Asked about Mr Donnelly’s comments, the Taoiseach said: “The big story this week is the reopening of our schools - a million people between students and teachers coming back into our schools.
“We have been visiting schools to see the extraordinary work of teachers, SNAs, and school managements, really good to see the contribution they have made to enabling children return to school.
“Our strategy is to live with Covid-19, to protect jobs, particularly manufacturing facilities like the one we visited this morning - to get our schools open again; and to resume our health services. And, by taking the measures we have taken, we want to try and avoid the lockdown, but the danger and challenge is always there.”
Mr Martin was speaking in Limerick at the announcement of 400 jobs at US pharmaceutical firm Regeneron.
Targeted measures
Speaking at the Oireachtas committee on Covid-19, Mr Donnelly said that if public health advice is followed, schools and businesses can remain open and the virus can be suppressed.
However, he said: “the reality is we are dealing with a virus that is close to having us lock down the country again. The public health advice is that we are at a tipping point and we are doing everything we can to suppress this virus to stop a second lockdown”.
He said that if a second lockdown were to happen, healthcare services will be “severely curtailed”. Currently, the strategy is to use “targeted measures to suppress the virus while keeping as much of our society and our economy open as possible”. He argued that the experiences of Kildare, Laois, and Offaly showed that suppressing the virus through this strategy was possible.
He warned, however: “If there is a second wave the Government will have to consider the blunt instrument which we know works, that is, a lockdown. We are doing everything we can to avoid that.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Case over protests outside Quinn Industrial Holdings HQ settled

Relatives of an amateur boxer accused of assaulting directors in Quinn Industrial Holdings ( QIH ) have given High Court undertakings not to hold any further protests at the group ’ s Co Fermanagh headquarters .
Bernard McGovern ( 23 ) , is currently remanded in custody in the Republic of Ireland charged in connection with an alleged attack on Kevin Lunney and Dara O ’ Reilly .
The two businessmen and six senior colleagues took legal action after Mr McGovern ’ s family reportedly staged protests outside the QIH head offices in Derrylin to highlight his continued detention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for alleged trespass and harassment in an action against Sean McGovern , Teresa McGovern , Patrick McGovern and Kevin McGovern .
But the case was settled at the High Court in Belfast today following confirmation that all four defendants have instead given voluntary undertakings .
Under those terms the Co Fermanagh family have agreed not to protest in an area where they are likely to be seen by any of the plaintiffs .
A further pledge was given that any placards used in any future protest will not contain the names of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
All four defendants have also agreed not to communicate with the QIH managers directly or indirectly , “ save for inadvertent contact within the local community ” .
Lord Justice Treacy stayed the action on the basis of the settlement reached .
Outside court a solicitor for the McGovern family said they were satisfied with the outcome .
Michael Brentnall added : “ My clients instruct that the protests will continue elsewhere , but within the terms of the undertakings given.
” Bernard McGovern , of Springtown Road in Kinawley , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the QIH executives at a Co Cavan service station on February 1st , 2019 .
Previous courts were told Mr Lunney suffered a broken nose , while it was claimed his colleague Dara O ’ Reilly had a cup of hot water poured over his face .

The judge stayed the action on the basis of the settlement reached. File photograph: Getty
Relatives of an amateur boxer accused of assaulting directors in Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) have given High Court undertakings not to hold any further protests at the group’s Co Fermanagh headquarters.
Bernard McGovern (23), is currently remanded in custody in the Republic of Ireland charged in connection with an alleged attack on Kevin Lunney and Dara O’Reilly.
The two businessmen and six senior colleagues took legal action after Mr McGovern’s family reportedly staged protests outside the QIH head offices in Derrylin to highlight his continued detention. They were seeking an injunction and damages for alleged trespass and harassment in an action against Sean McGovern, Teresa McGovern, Patrick McGovern and Kevin McGovern.
But the case was settled at the High Court in Belfast today following confirmation that all four defendants have instead given voluntary undertakings.
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Under those terms the Co Fermanagh family have agreed not to protest in an area where they are likely to be seen by any of the plaintiffs. A further pledge was given that any placards used in any future protest will not contain the names of the plaintiffs, or make any accusations against them.
All four defendants have also agreed not to communicate with the QIH managers directly or indirectly, “save for inadvertent contact within the local community”.
Lord Justice Treacy stayed the action on the basis of the settlement reached. Outside court a solicitor for the McGovern family said they were satisfied with the outcome. Michael Brentnall added: “My clients instruct that the protests will continue elsewhere, but within the terms of the undertakings given.”
Bernard McGovern, of Springtown Road in Kinawley, is facing prosecution for alleged assaults on the QIH executives at a Co Cavan service station on February 1st, 2019. Previous courts were told Mr Lunney suffered a broken nose, while it was claimed his colleague Dara O’Reilly had a cup of hot water poured over his face.


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--An ecumenical matter: Stamps commemorate 25 years of Father Ted

New stamps to commemorate the 25-year anniversary of the TV sitcom Father Ted have been unveiled in Dublin on Thursday .
The four stamps feature one-liners linked to the main characters of the programme Fr Ted , Fr Dougal , Fr Jack and Mrs Doyle .
They include : That ’ s mad , Ted ( Fr Dougal ) , That would be an ecumenical matter ( Fr Jack ) , Will you have a cup of tea Father ?
( Mrs Doyle ) and That money was just resting in my account ( Fr Ted ) .
The stamps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and designed by Dublin ’ s Detail Studio , also include retro wallpaper in the background to match the different rooms in the Craggy Island parochial house .
Actor Pauline McGlynn , who played Mrs Doyle , said the sitcom remains synonymous with Irish culture 25 years on from the airing of its first episode in 1995 .
“ I can ’ t believe it ’ s been 25 years , it ’ s wild .
I just can ’ t think of a greater thing to happen .
As milestones go it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list , as you never think you will be on a stamp .
I just think they ’ re really inspirational , the quotes and just make you smile as you ’ re putting a stamp onto a letter or a card , ” she said .
Ms McGlynn said it is “ such a compliment ” that the public still remember her today as Mrs Doyle .
“ No more than this is an honour , it ’ s a great compliment , ” she said .
“ People often say to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all time and I was lucky enough to be in it.
” Julie Gill , marketing director at An Post , said the new stamps will bring “ a good dose of humour ” to customers .
“ We are creating a laugh out loud moment with these colourful stamps , while marking 25 Years of Father Ted and remembering those members of the cast and crew who are no longer with us , ” she said .
“ Right now , the power of fun and of laughter is to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envelope are available online and in selected post offices nationwide .

Actor Pauline McLynn, who played Mrs Doyle in the show, at the launch of An Post stamps celebrating 25 years of Father Ted, at the GPO in Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
New stamps to commemorate the 25-year anniversary of the TV sitcom Father Ted have been unveiled in Dublin on Thursday.
The four stamps feature one-liners linked to the main characters of the programme Fr Ted, Fr Dougal, Fr Jack and Mrs Doyle.
They include: That’s mad, Ted (Fr Dougal), That would be an ecumenical matter (Fr Jack), Will you have a cup of tea Father? (Mrs Doyle) and That money was just resting in my account (Fr Ted).
The stamps, which were unveiled at the GPO and designed by Dublin’s Detail Studio, also include retro wallpaper in the background to match the different rooms in the Craggy Island parochial house.
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Pauline McLynn: ‘People often say to me Fr Ted was their favourite programme of all time and I was lucky enough to be in it.’ Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Actor Pauline McGlynn, who played Mrs Doyle, said the sitcom remains synonymous with Irish culture 25 years on from the airing of its first episode in 1995.
“I can’t believe it’s been 25 years, it’s wild. I just can’t think of a greater thing to happen. As milestones go it’s not on anyone’s list, as you never think you will be on a stamp. I just think they’re really inspirational, the quotes and just make you smile as you’re putting a stamp onto a letter or a card,” she said.
Ms McGlynn said it is “such a compliment” that the public still remember her today as Mrs Doyle.
“No more than this is an honour, it’s a great compliment,” she said. “People often say to me Fr Ted was their favourite programme of all time and I was lucky enough to be in it.”
Julie Gill, marketing director at An Post, said the new stamps will bring "a good dose of humour" to customers.
“We are creating a laugh out loud moment with these colourful stamps, while marking 25 Years of Father Ted and remembering those members of the cast and crew who are no longer with us,” she said. “Right now, the power of fun and of laughter is to be celebrated.”
The stamps and a souvenir envelope are available online and in selected post offices nationwide.