theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Wage subsidy scheme now includes women returning from maternity leave

Revenue has made changes to the temporary wage subsidy scheme ( TWSS ) so that it now includes women returning from maternity leave , the Government has said .
Last month , the National Women ’ s Council of Ireland ( NWCI ) raised concerns that the scheme discriminated against women who were on maternity benefit , while the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission warned the exclusion of these women could be in breach of European law .
In a press briefing on Thursday , Liz Canavan , assistant secretary-general of the Department of An Taoiseach , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now been made , making them eligible for the scheme .
“ Revenue has also confirmed that the changes in place of the wage subsidy scheme are now in place to accommodate employees who have returned or are due to return to work following a period of maternity leave , adopted leave or related unpaid leave , ” Ms Canavan said .
“ These changes also apply to employees who were not on their employer ’ s payroll on the 29th of February , who were on a period of paternity , parental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receipt of health and safety benefit , parents benefit or illness benefit.
” Employers who wish to access this scheme on behalf of employees covered by these changes can do so by completing a short online form , available for download via Revenue ’ s online service , Ms Canavan added .
Employers of workers who have been in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment ( PUP ) may also be eligible for the TWSS , if the employee has been rehired .
“ The employee needs to cease their PUP payment claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Revenue , ” she said .
Over 60,000 employers are registered with Revenue for the temporary wage subsidy scheme , and more than 527,300 employees have now received at least one payment under the scheme .
However , that figure does not include additional employees who may receive a subsidy as a result of payments generated on Thursday , on which Revenue generated further payments to employers of € 26 million .
These payments will be in the bank accounts of “ the majority ” of the respective employers tomorrow .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scheme now stands at €1.48 billion , Ms Canavan said .
Speaking about face coverings , the assistant sectretary-general said the Government is “ aware ” of the public ’ s concern and confusion on when to wear them .
She added the National Public Health and Emergency Team will meet on Thursday to discuss face coverings , taking the World Health Organization ’ s new guidelines on coverings into consideration .
Ms Canavan also added that non-covid related health services are resuming , adding they “ can see a return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in hospitals overall ” .

The wearing of face-covering in indoor settings is to remain optional, public health officials have decided.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) decided not to vary its advice on face-masks following a discussion at its meeting on Thursday, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said.
Pressure has been growing for the wider and/or compulsory wearing of face-masks to protect against the spread of Covid-19 in certain settings.
However, the group decided to stick with its existing recommendation for the non-mandatory use of face-coverings in circumstances where social distancing is a challenge, such as shopping and public transport.
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Officials agreed to begin a communications campaign next week to encourage greater compliance with its advice on face-coverings.
A further eight deaths of people diagnosed with Covid-19 were reported by NPHET. This bring to 1,703 the total number of deaths in the Republic.
NPHET also reported another eight new cases of the disease at its briefing on Thursday. This brings the total number of cases to 25,238.
“NPHET has recommended the development and implementation of a national communications campaign to increase compliance with current recommendations on the use of face-coverings,” Dr Holohan said.
“The campaign will outline best practice for use of face coverings in retail outlets, on public transport and in other public locations, where it may be difficult to maintain social distancing.”
Officials recognised they would have to redouble their efforts to get across the message on face-coverings as compliance from the public was insufficient, he said. Retailers could play a role in promoting this guidance.
“Perhaps what we think is consistent advice hasn’t been heard as a clear and consistent message,” he told the briefing, adding there had been a difference of opinion on masks here and in other countries.
Many people commenting on the issue don’t have “the appropriate skills or knowledge base”, he added. While much higher usage of masks was needed, it would be inappropriate to make them mandatory given the evidence base and the difficulties some people have in wearing them.
Reproduction number
Meanwhile, the reproduction number, a measure of how many people a confirmed case goes on to infect, now stands at between 0.4 and 0.8, officials told a briefing on Thursday.
“The next two weeks are now critical in limiting transmission, keeping the R-number low and suppressing the virus,” Prof Philip Nolan, chair of the NPHET Irish epidemiological modelling advisory group, said. “It is how we interact, as we go about our daily lives more freely, that will determine whether it increases.”
An R-number below one indicates the virus is being eliminated.
All indicators of the disease are stable or declining at present, Prof Nolan said.
The number of new cases per day fell to 14 this week from 50 the previous week.
The number of hospital inpatients with Covid-19 is 116, down from a mid-April high of 865, while ICU admissions stand at 34, compared to a peak of 144.
The number of deaths each day last week averaged five, down from a peak of 33.
The average number of tests done per day has fallen from 4,747 in mid-April to 2,547 now as the incidence of the virus has fallen.
“We’re doing more than enough testing,” Prof Nolan said, adding that most cases now were isolated instances, or in households or families.
There are currently 88 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in hospital. Of these, 28 are in intensive care.
An analysis of cases up to Tuesday shows 57 per cent are female and 43 per cent male.
The median age of cases is 48 years and 3,307 (13 per cent) have been hospitalised.
A total of 8,114 cases are associated with healthcare workers.
There are currently 6,886 cases of the disease in 465 residential care facilities, where 1,073 deaths have occurred; 251 nursing homes account for 5,310 of these cases and 940 of the deaths.
Another 64 healthcare workers contracted the virus in the past week, bringing the total of such cases to 8,123. The number of healthcare workers who have died stands unchanged at seven.
Revenue change
Meanwhile, the Government confirmed Revenue had made changes to the temporary wage subsidy scheme (TWSS) so that it now included women returning from maternity leave.
Last month, the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) raised concerns that the scheme discriminated against women who were on maternity benefit, while the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission warned the exclusion of these women could be in breach of European law.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Liz Canavan, assistant secretary general of the Department of An Taoiseach, said that the changes to include these women had now been made, making them eligible for the scheme.
“Revenue has also confirmed that the changes in place of the wage subsidy scheme are now in place to accommodate employees who have returned or are due to return to work following a period of maternity leave, adopted leave or related unpaid leave,” Ms Canavan said.
“These changes also apply to employees who were not on their employer’s payroll on the 29th of February, who were on a period of paternity, parental or related unpaid leave, or in receipt of health and safety benefit, parents benefit or illness benefit.”
Employers who wish to access this scheme on behalf of employees covered by these changes can do so by completing a short online form, available for download via Revenue’s online service, Ms Canavan added.
Employers of workers who have been in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) may also be eligible for the TWSS, if the employee has been rehired.
“The employee needs to cease their PUP payment claim and the employer can provide relevant information to Revenue,” she said.
Over 60,000 employers are registered with Revenue for the temporary wage subsidy scheme, and more than 527,300 employees have now received at least one payment under the scheme.
However, that figure does not include additional employees who may receive a subsidy as a result of payments generated on Thursday, on which Revenue generated further payments to employers of € 26 million.
These payments will be in the bank accounts of “the majority” of the respective employers tomorrow.
The value of payments made to employers under the scheme now stands at €1.48 billion, Ms Canavan said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--TDs call on Government to extend maternity leave benefits

A group of 20 TDs have called on the Government to extend maternity leave benefits for women who were on maternity leave at the height of lockdown measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 .
The TDs will this Thursday present a petition signed by 20,000 people in support of the proposal , which also enjoys support from the National Women ’ s Council of Ireland ( NWCI ) .
People Before Profit TD Brid Smith is also seeking a way of putting a motion before the Dáil supporting the extension of leave and benefits .
However , currently opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dáil .
Ms Smith said women on maternity leave during lockdown had been left “ isolated ” from many of the support services offered to new mothers and newborn children , and were also struggling to secure childcare in many instances , as creches are further curtailing already-scarce facilities for younger children .
So-called baby rooms are often uneconomical to run because of the carer-child ratios required for the care of very young children .
Alongside Ms Smith , the measure is being supported by Independent TDs Thomas Pringle , Danny Healy-Rae , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fitzmaurice and Marian Harkin , as well as Cian O ’ Callaghan of the Social Democrats , Aontú leader Peadar Toibin , the six Labour Party TDs , as well a Solidarity PBP ’ s Gino Kenny , Richard Boyd Barrett and Mick Barry , alongside Rise TD Paul Murphy .
Claire Scully , a Laois nurse who had a baby in February , said she became involved in the campaign after finding it difficult or impossible to access normal post-natal services .
“ We all missed out on post-natal checks , development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccines have been delayed.
” She now wants maternity cover and benefits extended to give her time to bond with her baby in a less stressful and demanding time , access services and arrange childcare .
Orla O ’ Connor , Director of the National Women ’ s Council of Ireland , which is supporting the campaign , said visits from public health nurses had frequently been interrupted , while mothers had not been able to join breastfeeding or other support groups .
“ They felt extremely isolated and that they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ On top of that , all their other children are at home , partners at home , and the piece about having time with their new baby was gone .
They felt stressed and highly anxious and wanted support , ” she said .
While maternity benefits are paid and administered by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection , Minister Regina Doherty has indicated that a decision to extend the period of maternity leave for employees would have to be implemented by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan .
In response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Smith , Ms Doherty said extending the period of maternity leave for employees by three months would cost in the region of €134 million .
“ It should also be noted that there are additional significant costs to the Exchequer as these estimates do not include the costs of salary top-ups and substitution in the public sector.
” Ms Smith said she felt the cost “ is small considering the social good and impact it will have on new mothers and their children ” .
She said she was hopeful of securing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motion , which would bring the number of TDs supporting the campaign to almost 60 .
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan is “ very conscious of demands on parents at this time ” .
He continued : “ Any amendments to the Maternity Protection Acts would likely require primary legislation , and this will be a matter for the incoming Government.
” A spokesman for the Department of Social Protection referred queries to the Department of Justice .

So-called baby rooms are often uneconomical to run because of the carer-child ratios required for the care of very young children. Photograph: iStock
A group of 20 TDs have called on the Government to extend maternity leave benefits for women who were on maternity leave at the height of lockdown measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.
The TDs will this Thursday present a petition signed by 20,000 people in support of the proposal, which also enjoys support from the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI).
People Before Profit TD Brid Smith is also seeking a way of putting a motion before the Dáil supporting the extension of leave and benefits. However, currently opposition TDs cannot place motions before the Dáil.
Ms Smith said women on maternity leave during lockdown had been left “isolated” from many of the support services offered to new mothers and newborn children, and were also struggling to secure childcare in many instances, as creches are further curtailing already-scarce facilities for younger children. So-called baby rooms are often uneconomical to run because of the carer-child ratios required for the care of very young children.
READ MORE
Alongside Ms Smith, the measure is being supported by Independent TDs Thomas Pringle, Danny Healy-Rae, Cathal Berry, Catherine Connolly, Michael Fitzmaurice and Marian Harkin, as well as Cian O'Callaghan of the Social Democrats, Aontú leader Peadar Toibin, the six Labour Party TDs, as well a Solidarity PBP's Gino Kenny, Richard Boyd Barrett and Mick Barry, alongside Rise TD Paul Murphy.
Claire Scully, a Laois nurse who had a baby in February, said she became involved in the campaign after finding it difficult or impossible to access normal post-natal services. "We all missed out on post-natal checks, development checks for kids, a lot of the vaccines have been delayed."
She now wants maternity cover and benefits extended to give her time to bond with her baby in a less stressful and demanding time, access services and arrange childcare.
Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, which is supporting the campaign, said visits from public health nurses had frequently been interrupted, while mothers had not been able to join breastfeeding or other support groups. “They felt extremely isolated and that they had lost out on all of this.”
“On top of that, all their other children are at home, partners at home, and the piece about having time with their new baby was gone. They felt stressed and highly anxious and wanted support,” she said.
While maternity benefits are paid and administered by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Minister Regina Doherty has indicated that a decision to extend the period of maternity leave for employees would have to be implemented by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan.
In response to a parliamentary question put down by Ms Smith, Ms Doherty said extending the period of maternity leave for employees by three months would cost in the region of €134 million. “It should also be noted that there are additional significant costs to the Exchequer as these estimates do not include the costs of salary top-ups and substitution in the public sector.”
Ms Smith said she felt the cost “is small considering the social good and impact it will have on new mothers and their children”. She said she was hopeful of securing the support of Sinn Féin for the motion, which would bring the number of TDs supporting the campaign to almost 60.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan is “very conscious of demands on parents at this time”. He continued: “Any amendments to the Maternity Protection Acts would likely require primary legislation, and this will be a matter for the incoming Government.”
A spokesman for the Department of Social Protection referred queries to the Department of Justice.


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Irish nursing home deaths due to Covid-19 at ‘upper end’ compared to other countries

Ireland is at the “ upper end of the spectrum ” when it comes to deaths in nursing homes , a special envoy for the World Health Organisation has said .
Dr David Nabarro , the WHO ’ s envoy on Covid-19 , also said it would be “ reasonable ” to make it compulsory for commuters to wear face masks on public transport .
“ I do think we need to try and push from saying people ‘ should ’ do to people ‘ really must ’ do.
” He is appearing before the Dáil ’ s committee on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in residential care in Ireland was “ quite high but not unexpected.
” Dr Nabarro said that “ some countries were really not very comprehensive in their counting of the deaths in residential care and nursing homes .
“ Ireland has probably got the widest circle of inclusion of all the countries I have studied , which may be one of the reasons why there is a relatively high rate of deaths in nursing homes associated with Covid in Ireland.
” He said there was a “ very honest accounting of numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of testing in residential care , Dr Nabarro said staff in nursing homes should know whether they had the virus and that meant virus testing at weekly intervals or possibly more often .
On the issue of face coverings , he said : “ face coverings really are necessary because people may well be able to transmit the virus before they transmit symptoms of the disease .
The use of face masks is important in situations where individuals are likely to be exposed to a lot of illness.
” He said people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are made available free of charge .
“ I believe that the use of face protection is a part of emerging from lockdown and other stringent controls to be able to live with the virus.
” He said it is an area where there is a “ massive area of disagreement.
” “ You ’ ve got one group of people who say the science isn ’ t very strong plus if you have people wearing masks widely that will lead them to have a false sense of complacency .
On the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belong to that camp , who feel that this is a proper part of an overall strategy especially when people have to be close up.
” “ Why do I feel like that , because I was working in South East Asia in 2003 and 2004 after the Sars outbreak and I saw the role that face protections had.
” Dr Nabarro was also questioned by TDs in relation to the two-metre social distancing guidelines amid pressure from industry groups , and particularly the hospitality sector , for it to be reduced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to see a reduction in the distance to one metre just bear in mind that if there is a prolonged exposure at shorter distances that really does greatly increase the risk.
” He also raised the prospect of diners wearing face masks in restaurants .
“ I was saying to a colleague the other day that if they are going to open restaurants in France and have people indoors then the diners ought to be wearing masks to protect the waiters .
My friend said no way that will ever happen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ view , being responsible , it is the people who service who we need to protect .
“ It is about respect for those who service who often have no choice but to do the work because they are poor and suffered huge income losses due to lockdown.
” He said the “ decent thing to do is wear a mask and protect the person serving you.
” Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy pointed towards a recent debate in Ireland about eliminating the virus as opposed to suppressing it .
Dr Nabarro said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus but “ the reality is that there is a lot of virus in the world.
” “ Nations have to be able to connect with others for business as well for tourism and family connections .
It is just not going to be possible to completely insulate Ireland , even if we look at the whole island of Ireland , south and north , without putting huge constraints on people and the economy.
” He also warned it could take up to three years to have a vaccine available to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a continuous threat that we have to live with .
Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy said he had received a lot of queries about the idea of “ air bridges ” between countries and he questioned the safety of such a move .
“ Is it safe for Irish people to travel to the Spains and Italys and then come back to their home countries if we are taking out the quarantine .
Is that safe or is that an economic decision , ” Mr Brophy said .
Dr Nabarro said what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of truth ” to it .
“ There is inevitably personal and political pressure to reopen the tourism industry .
Yes , there will be economic pressures for opening up all round .
“ I am trying very hard not to say that this is wrong because I appreciate it .
In the end , you are legislators and the authorities do have to weigh up the personal wish , economic issue and the health threat.
” “ The only rationale basis for establishing air bridges is after a very careful and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different locations and trying to make absolutely certain that this is done fairly.
” He said it would be essential to ensure the risk levels between countries are compatible .
“ It would be totally wrong if suddenly it turned out that there had been a mistake perhaps caused by ... economic pressure.
” He said he did not believe the two-week quarantine would “ stick ” in the coming months .
The special envoy also said that routine cancer screenings will “ come good ” in time .
Routine screenings have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as professionals have got their routines sorted out , have got adequate PPE , have got their shift times right , then it has become possible to adapt and readjust .
“ Whilst there might have been a cessation of screening or treatment procedures , after a month or two things have settled down and new systems have been developed .
I would expect in places where cancer screening has stopped that over time there will be a sorting out.
” “ It will come good , it will just take a little @ @ @ @ @

The World Health Organization's special envoy Dr David Nabarro has praised Ireland’s response to the coronavirus pandemic at a sitting of the Oireachtas special committee on Covid-19 saying "I do rate what you have done to a high level."
Ireland is at the “upper end of the spectrum” when it comes to deaths in nursing homes, a special envoy for the World Health Organisation has said.
Dr David Nabarro, the WHO’s envoy on Covid-19, also said it would be “reasonable” to make it compulsory for commuters to wear face masks on public transport.
“I do think we need to try and push from saying people ‘should’ do to people ‘really must’ do.”
#OireachtasTV - continued LIVE coverage of today's Special Committee on COVID-19 Response from the Dáil chamber - watch on Twitter, online and on Oreachtas TV - click here #seeforyourself #COVID19https://t.co/lEqB3DaKmx https://t.co/YbRVmiAGWm — Houses of the Oireachtas (@OireachtasNews) June 11, 2020
He is appearing before the Dáil’s committee on Covid-19 and also said the number of deaths in residential care in Ireland was “quite high but not unexpected.”
READ MORE
Dr Nabarro said that “some countries were really not very comprehensive in their counting of the deaths in residential care and nursing homes.
“Ireland has probably got the widest circle of inclusion of all the countries I have studied, which may be one of the reasons why there is a relatively high rate of deaths in nursing homes associated with Covid in Ireland.”
He said there was a “very honest accounting of numbers” in Ireland.
On the issue of testing in residential care, Dr Nabarro said staff in nursing homes should know whether they had the virus and that meant virus testing at weekly intervals or possibly more often.
On the issue of face coverings, he said: “face coverings really are necessary because people may well be able to transmit the virus before they transmit symptoms of the disease. The use of face masks is important in situations where individuals are likely to be exposed to a lot of illness.”
He said people are more likely to wear masks if they are made available free of charge.
“I believe that the use of face protection is a part of emerging from lockdown and other stringent controls to be able to live with the virus.”
He said it is an area where there is a “massive area of disagreement.”
“You’ve got one group of people who say the science isn’t very strong plus if you have people wearing masks widely that will lead them to have a false sense of complacency. On the other side we have people, and I belong to that camp, who feel that this is a proper part of an overall strategy especially when people have to be close up.”
“Why do I feel like that, because I was working in South East Asia in 2003 and 2004 after the Sars outbreak and I saw the role that face protections had.”
Social distancing guidelines
Dr Nabarro was also questioned by TDs in relation to the two-metre social distancing guidelines amid pressure from industry groups, and particularly the hospitality sector, for it to be reduced to one metre.
“If you are going to see a reduction in the distance to one metre just bear in mind that if there is a prolonged exposure at shorter distances that really does greatly increase the risk.”
He also raised the prospect of diners wearing face masks in restaurants.
“I was saying to a colleague the other day that if they are going to open restaurants in France and have people indoors then the diners ought to be wearing masks to protect the waiters. My friend said no way that will ever happen.
“But from a logical point of view, being responsible, it is the people who service who we need to protect.
“It is about respect for those who service who often have no choice but to do the work because they are poor and suffered huge income losses due to lockdown.”
He said the “decent thing to do is wear a mask and protect the person serving you.”
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy pointed towards a recent debate in Ireland about eliminating the virus as opposed to suppressing it.
Dr Nabarro said ideally nations would try to completely suppress the virus but “the reality is that there is a lot of virus in the world.”
“Nations have to be able to connect with others for business as well for tourism and family connections. It is just not going to be possible to completely insulate Ireland, even if we look at the whole island of Ireland, south and north, without putting huge constraints on people and the economy.”
He also warned it could take up to three years to have a vaccine available to all who need it and said Covid-19 will be a continuous threat that we have to live with.
Air bridges
Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy said he had received a lot of queries about the idea of “air bridges” between countries and he questioned the safety of such a move.
“Is it safe for Irish people to travel to the Spains and Italys and then come back to their home countries if we are taking out the quarantine. Is that safe or is that an economic decision,” Mr Brophy said.
Dr Nabarro said what Mr Brophy was saying had “a lot of truth” to it. “There is inevitably personal and political pressure to reopen the tourism industry. Yes, there will be economic pressures for opening up all round.
“I am trying very hard not to say that this is wrong because I appreciate it. In the end, you are legislators and the authorities do have to weigh up the personal wish, economic issue and the health threat.”
“The only rationale basis for establishing air bridges is after a very careful and independent assessment of the risk in the different locations and trying to make absolutely certain that this is done fairly.”
He said it would be essential to ensure the risk levels between countries are compatible.
“It would be totally wrong if suddenly it turned out that there had been a mistake perhaps caused by ... economic pressure.”
He said he did not believe the two-week quarantine would “stick” in the coming months.
The special envoy also said that routine cancer screenings will “come good” in time. Routine screenings have been paused in Ireland.
“Over time as professionals have got their routines sorted out, have got adequate PPE, have got their shift times right, then it has become possible to adapt and readjust.
“Whilst there might have been a cessation of screening or treatment procedures, after a month or two things have settled down and new systems have been developed. I would expect in places where cancer screening has stopped that over time there will be a sorting out.”
“It will come good, it will just take a little bit of time.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Minister urged to investigate claims of neglect of nursing home resident

The Minister for Health Simon Harris has been asked to investigate claims of neglect involving a nursing home resident with “ seriously infected and possibly infested wounds.
” Sage Advocacy , a support group for vulnerable adults , has written to Mr Harris requesting an investigation into the case of the resident and “ the adequacy of response by statutory agencies.
” The group disclosed details of the case in a submission to the Covid-19 nursing home expert panel which is reviewing the response to the pandemic in care facilities .
It raised the case in arguing that it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care in nursing homes and there were no Health Information and Quality Authority regulatory standards for the level and skills of nursing care , clinical governance and level of medical cover in many homes .
The group said that the significance of these points was “ reinforced most graphically ” in recent days when it had to send a fourth “ Notice of Care ” to Hiqa , the State ’ s health service watchdog , over the care of the unnamed resident .
It said in the submission that the person had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) wounds relating to a medical condition and other evidence of neglect.
” “ We sought the intervention of the HSE who were able to pursue the issue because the person concerned was transferred to an acute hospital , ” said Sage in its submission .
“ However , neither Hiqa or the HSE seemed able to effectively intervene in the nursing home to investigate such a situation and ensure that all other residents are safeguarded.
” A spokesman for Hiqa said that it was aware of the information in the Sage submission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provider and staff at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown , Dublin , where the individual is being treated , about the care of the person .
Hiqa had carried out an inspection of the nursing home on June 4th and that this inspection report would be published , the spokesman said .
Sage previously told the Oireachtas committee examining the pandemic response that there was a “ significant blind spot ” at statutory level in the case of elderly people and that there were “ systemic weaknesses ” in the outsourced system of care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health said the correspondence had been received and is under consideration .

The Minister for Health Simon Harris has been asked to investigate claims of neglect involving a nursing home resident with "seriously infected and possibly infested wounds."
Sage Advocacy, a support group for vulnerable adults, has written to Mr Harris requesting an investigation into the case of the resident and "the adequacy of response by statutory agencies."
The group disclosed details of the case in a submission to the Covid-19 nursing home expert panel which is reviewing the response to the pandemic in care facilities.
It raised the case in arguing that it was not clear who is responsible for clinical care in nursing homes and there were no Health Information and Quality Authority regulatory standards for the level and skills of nursing care, clinical governance and level of medical cover in many homes.
READ MORE
The group said that the significance of these points was “reinforced most graphically” in recent days when it had to send a fourth “Notice of Care” to Hiqa, the State’s health service watchdog, over the care of the unnamed resident.
It said in the submission that the person had “seriously infected (and possibly infested) wounds relating to a medical condition and other evidence of neglect.”
“We sought the intervention of the HSE who were able to pursue the issue because the person concerned was transferred to an acute hospital,” said Sage in its submission.
“However, neither Hiqa or the HSE seemed able to effectively intervene in the nursing home to investigate such a situation and ensure that all other residents are safeguarded.”
A spokesman for Hiqa said that it was aware of the information in the Sage submission and had engaged with both the care provider and staff at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Dublin, where the individual is being treated, about the care of the person.
Hiqa had carried out an inspection of the nursing home on June 4th and that this inspection report would be published, the spokesman said.
Sage previously told the Oireachtas committee examining the pandemic response that there was a "significant blind spot" at statutory level in the case of elderly people and that there were "systemic weaknesses" in the outsourced system of care for the elderly.
The Department of Health said the correspondence had been received and is under consideration.


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Reopening of hairdressers and barbers set to be brought forward to June 29th

Hairdressers and barbers are expected to be allowed reopen sooner than planned on June 29th .
* Government sources on Wednesday night said that a decision to bring the reopening of barbers and hairdressers forward to June 29th is being worked towards as the plan to reopen Ireland after coronavirus restrictions is accelerated and changed .
Others said the issue had not been decided yet , with the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) expected to reassess the plan over the next week and a half .
On Wednesday Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said hairdressers could be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he described as “ too slow ” the Government ’ s initial five-phase road map to reopen the country from the coronavirus lockdown by August .
Hairdressers had been due to reopen on July 20th .
Earlier this week the Irish Hairdresser ’ s Federation ( IHF ) proposed 100 measures it said could ensure salons and barbers are safe to reopen .
Among these measures are ban on reading material for customers and extensive use of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) for stylists and customers .
They also include proposals for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customer .
The IHF plan also suggested Covid-19 training for all staff , and there will be screening of customers when taking bookings .
Salon visits and customer phone numbers will also be recorded for contact tracing purposes .
Hairdressers are not being advised to wear gloves .
It was unclear last night which of these proposals will be in place when hairdressers and barbers reopen .
The IHF had argued that if it is forced to remain closed until the end of July , the shutdown will have lasted for 18 weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in other countries across the EU has been between six and eight weeks .
The federation said its guidelines had been developed following engagement with the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority and with the assistance of health and safety experts .
Danielle Kennedy , the federation ’ s president , said the guidelines “ go above and beyond the Government ’ s advice on what to do and will enable hairdressers and barber shops to reopen safely in phase three rather than phase four ” .
She added that the federation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with experts , the HSE , and all parties in the hair and beauty sector to develop the new guidelines .
“ This is an extremely safe and cautious set of guidelines , ” she said .
“ There are 25,000 people employed in our sector and we want to ensure they can come back to work safely .
If we wait any longer to reopen , hundreds of small businesses will go bust and thousands of people will lose their jobs.
” *An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated hairdressers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 29th .
This article has been amended to state that such outlets “ are expected ” to reopen sooner than planned .

Proposals also include the full sanitisation of workstations after each customer. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Barbers and hairdressers are “going to great lengths” to show they can conduct their business while complying with social distancing rules, Minister for Health Simon Harris has said.
Hairdressers and barbers are expected be allowed to reopen on June 29th, sooner than had been planned.
Government sources said that a move to bring the reopening of barbers and hairdressers forward to June 29th is being worked towards as the plan to reopen Ireland after coronavirus restrictions is accelerated and changed.
Others said the issue had not been decided yet, with the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) expected to reassess the plan over the next 10 days. It was noted by numerous sources that some people were getting their hair cut by professionals in their own homes.
READ MORE
Mr Harris and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are said to be open to an earlier reopening, as long as NPHET recommends such a move.
On Thursday, Mr Harris told the Dáil the Government hoped to make a decision next week on the matter.
He said he recognised that for many people “getting their hair done has a mental health element as well” and he acknowledged that it was a serious issue for the sector. An estimated 25,000 people are employed in the industry.
He also said the sector has been making “big efforts…to adapt their premises”.
“I heard them talk about bringing one or two customers in at a time. They are going to great lengths and I hope we can make progress on this.”
Numerous government and Opposition TDs said hairdressers and barbers wanted certainty about when they could reopen.
Mr Harris said there was a plan for three further phases of reopening the economy but NPHET had recommended that that it could be possible to do that in two phases rather than three.
“We are now looking at what belongs in each phase and NPHET will provide guidance to the Government on that.”
He said NPHET may have started considering the issue on Thursday and the Government would consider it next week.
“I hope, therefore, that by the end of next week, we will have a direct answer to the question as to what phases each of the remaining sectors will fit.”
On Wednesday Mr Varadkar also acknowledged hairdressers could be allowed to reopen earlier than previously planned, and he described as “too slow” the Government’s initial five-phase road map to reopen the country from the coronavirus lockdown by August.
Hairdressers had been due to reopen on July 20th. Earlier this week the Irish Hairdresser’s Federation (IHF) proposed 100 measures it said could ensure salons and barbers are safe to reopen.
Among these measures are a ban on reading material for customers and extensive use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for stylists and customers.
They also include proposals for the full sanitisation of workstations after each customer.
The IHF plan also suggested Covid-19 training for all staff, and there will be screening of customers when taking bookings.
Salon visits and customer phone numbers will also be recorded for contact tracing purposes. Hairdressers are not being advised to wear gloves.
It is unclear which of these proposals will be in place when hairdressers and barbers reopen.
The IHF had argued that if it is forced to remain closed until the end of July, the shutdown will have lasted for 18 weeks when the average time hairdressers were closed in other countries across the EU has been between six and eight weeks.
The federation said its guidelines had been developed following engagement with the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority and with the assistance of health and safety experts.
*An earlier version of this article suggested that a decision had been made to allow salons to reopen on June 29th. The article has been amended to clarify that Government approval is pending.


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Two investigations open into death of boy (13) in car crash

Two separate investigations have been launched into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 13-year-old boy who was killed in a car crash shortly after gardaí tried to stop the vehicle .
Joseph Anderson , a sixth class student , was travelling in the car along with four other young teens when it crashed in the Lisclougher Great area of Delvin , Westmeath at 2.30am on Wednesday .
He died at the scene .
Another boy remains in critical condition following the crash while the other three escaped with non-life threatening injuries .
It is understood one of the boys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permission prior to the crash .
Gardaí had been alerted about the vehicle driving erratically .
An armed unit in the area later spotted it and signalled for it to pull over .
Investigators believe this caused the driver to panic and drive off before crashing shortly afterwards .
Sources said the car was not being chased when the crash occurred .
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission ( Gsoc ) has launched an investigation into the Garda ’ s interaction with the vehicle prior to the incident .
This is standard protocol whenever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí .
Garda Forensic Collision Investigators have also launched an inquiry and are appealing for anyone in in the area between 1.45am and 2.30am to contact Mullingar Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line .
The five teenagers were from the towns of Delvin , Co Westmeath and Athboy , Co Meath where they were students at both primary and post-primary levels .
Joseph Anderson , from Devlin , was a sixth-class student in Clonmellon NS and was due to start post-primary school in September in Athboy , where at least one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The boy fighting for his life with severe injuries in Mullingar General Hospital is a 15-year-old , also from Delvin and with strong Athboy family connections .
Chairman of Meath County Council and Athboy resident David Gilroy said the shock and disbelief of the tragedy had brought the town to a standstill .
“ The town woke up to the news this morning and the shock and disbelief has brought it to a standstill .
No-one can quite believe it.
” Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information , particularly any road users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area between 1.45am and 2.30am , to contact them at Mullingar on 044 938 4000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 .

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


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Increased food poverty due to Covid-19, finds survey

Increased food poverty and mental health difficulties in poorer areas , as result of the Covid-19 crisis , are detailed in a hard-hitting report published on Thursday .
Produced by the national forum of family resource centres ( FRCs ) and drawing on survey results from the 121 such centres across the State , it reports higher incidents of domestic violence , worsening behavioural challenges in children and increased demand for food and meal deliveries .
A west of Ireland FRC said : “ The impact on the local community has been huge .
We have more people accessing our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - for food bags , referrals to other agencies.
” The centres operate in economically disadvantaged areas , supporting families and communities with such issues as childcare , combatting isolation and supporting older people .
This survey was conducted over the first fortnight in May .
Asked about the three most significant issues in their communities , 71 per cent of FRCs identified increased calls for parent and family supports ; 69 per cent reported increased need for food parcels while 51 per cent say counselling and mental health supports were among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen a 600 per cent increase in demand for meals and is providing 175 a day to homes in its area .
“ We have distributed 100 packs per week to children , books and activities .
We distributed 225 packs with crafts and colours at Easter , with an Easter egg to all children.
” Another reports : “ We have experienced a high rate of mental health issues , loneliness and isolation .
We responded with additional counselling , daily personal calls , and deliveries to clients .
“ [ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence - we responded with support , advice and referral to local services ; increased drug use - we responded with contacting local gardaí , drug counsellors and organising one-to-one meetings ; increase in behavioural challenges in children ; food poverty - we responded with increased collection and deliveries from FoodCloud and Foodshare ; marriage and relationship breakdown - we increased counselling and support , and , lack of technology - we responded by printing material and facilitating use of computers for our service-users.
” Many group activities , especially aimed at young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant numbers in communities can not access broadband and are at risk of isolation and deteriorating mental health .
As demands have increased over 93 per cent of the centres have seen their income fall - as activities and services have had to close - during the crisis .
Almost three quarters ( 74 per cent ) experiencing income falls of more than 25 per cent .
FRCs ’ main concerns for the future are how to continue to provide group activities like parent and toddler and alcohol and addiction groups , summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased costs ; changes required to physical premises to comply with social distancing ; and staff and volunteer safety and mental health .
Among concerns for their communities are increased mental health issues , increased household debt and reduced supports for vulnerable children .

Food poverty: A west of Ireland family resource centre said: “We have more people accessing our services now that we ever did before - for food bags, referrals to other agencies.” File photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA
Increased food poverty and mental health difficulties in poorer areas, as result of the Covid-19 crisis, are detailed in a hard-hitting report published on Thursday.
Produced by the national forum of family resource centres (FRCs) and drawing on survey results from the 121 such centres across the State, it reports higher incidents of domestic violence, worsening behavioural challenges in children and increased demand for food and meal deliveries.
The centres operate in economically disadvantaged areas, supporting families and communities with such issues as childcare, combatting isolation and supporting older people. The survey was conducted over the first fortnight in May.
Asked about the three most significant issues in their communities, 71 per cent of FRCs identified increased calls for parent and family supports; 69 per cent reported increased need for food parcels while 51 per cent say counselling and mental health supports were among the most urgent issues.
READ MORE
One centre in the west of Ireland said the impact on the local community has been huge. "We have more people accessing our services now that we ever did before - for food bags, referrals to other agencies."
One FRC said it has seen a 600 per cent increase in demand for meals and is providing 175 a day to homes in its area.
“We have distributed 100 packs per week to children, books and activities. We distributed 225 packs with crafts and colours at Easter, with an Easter egg to all children.”
Another reports: “We have experienced a high rate of mental health issues, loneliness and isolation. We responded with additional counselling, daily personal calls, and deliveries to clients.
“[There have been] higher incidents of domestic violence - we responded with support, advice and referral to local services; increased drug use - we responded with contacting local gardaí, drug counsellors and organising one-to-one meetings; increase in behavioural challenges in children; food poverty - we responded with increased collection and deliveries from FoodCloud and Foodshare; marriage and relationship breakdown - we increased counselling and support, and, lack of technology - we responded by printing material and facilitating use of computers for our service-users.”
Many group activities, especially aimed at young people, have gone online, though significant numbers in communities cannot access broadband and are at risk of isolation and deteriorating mental health.
As demands have increased over 93 per cent of the centres have seen their income fall - as activities and services have had to close - during the crisis. Almost three quarters (74 per cent) experiencing income falls of more than 25 per cent.
FRCs’ main concerns for the future are how to continue to provide group activities like parent and toddler and alcohol and addiction groups, summer camps; the loss of income and increased costs; changes required to physical premises to comply with social distancing; and staff and volunteer safety and mental health.
Among concerns for their communities are increased mental health issues, increased household debt and reduced supports for vulnerable children.


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--World Heritage sites race to adapt to a warming planet

For almost 50 years , Unesco ’ s 1972 world heritage convention ( WHC ) has been the foremost global instrument for the protection of humanity ’ s natural and cultural heritage .
In 1977 the World Heritage List was created , which inscribes recognised sites of cultural and natural outstanding universal value around the world .
As of May 2020 , 167 countries have signed the convention .
There are 1,121 World Heritage sites on the list , including 869 cultural heritage sites , 213 natural heritage sites and 39 mixed sites with both cultural and natural elements .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to polar heritage , from individual buildings to entire cities , from vast ecosystems to modernist architecture and from religious properties to those of secular importance .
While these sites may vary significantly , many are affected by expanding biodiversity loss and the impacts of climate change .
With global warming likely to reach 1.5 degrees above preindustrial levels by 2040 , the effects of climate change have already raised sea levels , melted ice caps in the Arctic Ocean and increased risks of disasters such as floods or fires .
All of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and possibly destroy , the world ’ s collective heritage .
In our current political and social climate , the need to protect these sites of global importance has come to the forefront .
Ireland is a signatory to the WHC and boasts two famous sites : Brú na Bóinne and Skellig Michael .
Brú na Bóinne in Co Meath contains the iconic passage tombs of Newgrange , Knowth and Dowth , as well as recently discovered processional routes , henges and mounds .
This cultural landscape has been dealing with climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern is increased flooding of the Boyne river valley , which has the potential to damage the numerous archaeological sites and megalithic artwork , cause changes to the valley ’ s biodiversity and damage the monumental structures .
Skellig Michael off the Co Kerry coast is also presented with climate change challenges .
The cultural heritage of this early medieval monastic island settlement is at risk , as archaeological structures suffer from erosion and physical degradation .
Increased severity of Atlantic storms has caused soil erosion on the island ’ s slopes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the island ’ s seabird colonies .
Since its appearance in the Star Wars films , Skellig Michael has become more prominent and visitor numbers have dramatically increased , potentially impacting the fragile site .
The Department of Culture , Heritage and the Gaeltacht has responded to climate change risks to our built and archaeological heritage with a comprehensive adaptation plan , which aims at reducing vulnerability , developing risk preparedness and resilience and monitoring climate impacts .
As a result , climate change adaptation will be built into all heritage management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monuments and Sites is an advisory body to the World Heritage Committee and is tasked with mobilising cultural world heritage for climate action .
Dr Will Megarry of Queen ’ s University Belfast is a member of its Climate Change and Heritage Working Group and has seen climate change impacts across numerous heritage sites , from Edinburgh Castle to Rapa Nui on Easter Island .
Recently , these sites have been highlighted by the Google Arts and Culture-hosted Heritage on the Edge platform .
However , Megarry notes that while the WHC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ values , the sites can also play a vital role in climate action .
A recent report by the council ’ s advisory body , The Future of Our Pasts , looks at ways cultural heritage sites can contribute to climate action .
This can happen at every level , from individual buildings to large ecosystems .
Sydney Opera House became completely carbon neutral in 2018 , providing , as Megarry explains , “ a really good example of one of the most iconic heritage sites in the world being used to promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the scale , world heritage forest sites cover more than 75 million hectares , providing benefits by storing more than 10.5 billion tonnes of carbon .
World heritage conservation increasingly looks to interlinkages of cultural , natural and social factors for site management and climate action .
Previously , human impacts on the environment have been seen as wholly negative , with humans destroying what was considered to be “ pristine ” wilderness .
However , positive relationships between humans and their environment are increasingly acknowledged as important for conservation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities who are often most vulnerable to climate impacts .
Traditional and indigenous knowledges and practices that contribute to site sustainability and climate change adaptation are often learned onsite and passed from generation to generation .
This expertise is important for site management strategies including research and monitoring .
An informative case is Pimachiowin Aki in Canada , inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2018 .
It is Canada ’ s only mixed site , valued for both cultural and natural heritage .
Community involvement is at the heart of Pimachiowin Aki @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the determination of Anishinaabe First Nations to protect their ancestral territories drove the 16-year campaign behind its inscription .
A vast expanse of boreal forest , extensive water systems and Anishinaabe cultural heritage , the site covers nearly 30,000km2 across Ontario and Manitoba .
The forest is vital to humanity as it filters greenhouse gases and stores huge amounts of carbon .
In addition to protecting iconic species such as wolves and woodland caribou , the site ’ s vast scale supports ecosystems under pressure from climate change as species have a better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Anishinaabe First Nations ’ way of life is central to Pimachiowin Aki ’ s conservation .
Their tradition of “ keeping the land ” is based on harmonious relations with all life forms and guides all management decisions .
This careful custodianship means visitors will find the land much as it was more than 7,000 years ago .
“ The entire site is protected from industrial-scale commercial logging , mining , and hydroelectric development and all of its waterways are free of dams and diversions ” says Alison Haugh , executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which oversees site management .
The four Anishinaabe communities who manage Pimachiowin Aki along with the governments of Ontario and Manitoba are vital to ongoing research and monitoring .
“ Full-time guardians from the Anishinaabe First Nations observe , record and report on indicators of cultural and natural values in the site , ” says Haugh .
“ Elders and other knowledge-keepers are engaged in developing indicators and metrics to provide reliable information on ecosystem health and the cultural landscape.
” Research collaborations are also under way with the University of Manitoba , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pimachiowin Aki Corporation and the university are monitoring habitat intactness and climate change resilience in the site , using migratory bird communities .
Pimachiowin Aki is likely to be an important refuge for bird species displaced by climate change and habitat loss further south.
” While the World Heritage Convention offers a global instrument for conserving humanity ’ s heritage , climate change will continue to impact sites , creating risks and issues for conservation .
Ultimately , governmental action in implementing the 2015 Paris climate-change agreement needs to be matched with responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Megarry as a vital element of climate action .
This can include slow tourism where travellers take an ethical approach in visiting World Heritage sites , having quality experiences in single destinations rather than frequent , fast-paced trips .
“ The reality is we ’ ve got to understand our own contribution to this , ” says Megarry .
“ People like travelling the world to see exceptional places but for me , heritage is fundamentally something local .
I think the recent Covid-19 crisis has really identified the importance of the spaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Irene Fogarty are researchers in World Heritage at UCD , funded by the IRC Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship

Skellig Michael, Co Kerry. While the World Heritage Convention offers a global tool for conserving our heritage, climate change will continue to create risks and issues for conservation. Photograph: Chris Hill/Getty
For almost 50 years, Unesco's 1972 world heritage convention (WHC) has been the foremost global instrument for the protection of humanity's natural and cultural heritage. In 1977 the World Heritage List was created, which inscribes recognised sites of cultural and natural outstanding universal value around the world.
As of May 2020, 167 countries have signed the convention. There are 1,121 World Heritage sites on the list, including 869 cultural heritage sites, 213 natural heritage sites and 39 mixed sites with both cultural and natural elements. World Heritage sites range from underwater heritage to polar heritage, from individual buildings to entire cities, from vast ecosystems to modernist architecture and from religious properties to those of secular importance.
While these sites may vary significantly, many are affected by expanding biodiversity loss and the impacts of climate change. With global warming likely to reach 1.5 degrees above preindustrial levels by 2040, the effects of climate change have already raised sea levels, melted ice caps in the Arctic Ocean and increased risks of disasters such as floods or fires. All of these have the potential to directly affect, and possibly destroy, the world's collective heritage. In our current political and social climate, the need to protect these sites of global importance has come to the forefront.
Skellig Michael, Co Kerry. While the World Heritage Convention offers a global tool for conserving our heritage, climate change will continue to create risks and issues for conservation. Photograph: Chris Hill/Getty
Ireland is a signatory to the WHC and boasts two famous sites: Brú na Bóinne and Skellig Michael. Brú na Bóinne in Co Meath contains the iconic passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, as well as recently discovered processional routes, henges and mounds. This cultural landscape has been dealing with climate impacts for many years.
READ MORE
Of particular concern is increased flooding of the Boyne river valley, which has the potential to damage the numerous archaeological sites and megalithic artwork, cause changes to the valley’s biodiversity and damage the monumental structures. Skellig Michael off the Co Kerry coast is also presented with climate change challenges. The cultural heritage of this early medieval monastic island settlement is at risk, as archaeological structures suffer from erosion and physical degradation.
Increased severity of Atlantic storms has caused soil erosion on the island's slopes and climate change also poses a future risk to the island's seabird colonies. Since its appearance in the Star Wars films, Skellig Michael has become more prominent and visitor numbers have dramatically increased, potentially impacting the fragile site. The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has responded to climate change risks to our built and archaeological heritage with a comprehensive adaptation plan, which aims at reducing vulnerability, developing risk preparedness and resilience and monitoring climate impacts. As a result, climate change adaptation will be built into all heritage management plans and policies.
Impacts
The International Council on Monuments and Sites is an advisory body to the World Heritage Committee and is tasked with mobilising cultural world heritage for climate action. Dr Will Megarry of Queen's University Belfast is a member of its Climate Change and Heritage Working Group and has seen climate change impacts across numerous heritage sites, from Edinburgh Castle to Rapa Nui on Easter Island.
The Pimachiowin Aki site in Canada. Photograph: Hidehiro Otake
Recently, these sites have been highlighted by the Google Arts and Culture-hosted Heritage on the Edge platform. However, Megarry notes that while the WHC was conceived to protect sites' heritage values, the sites can also play a vital role in climate action. A recent report by the council's advisory body, The Future of Our Pasts, looks at ways cultural heritage sites can contribute to climate action. This can happen at every level, from individual buildings to large ecosystems. Sydney Opera House became completely carbon neutral in 2018, providing, as Megarry explains, "a really good example of one of the most iconic heritage sites in the world being used to promote carbon mitigation". At the other end of the scale, world heritage forest sites cover more than 75 million hectares, providing benefits by storing more than 10.5 billion tonnes of carbon.
World heritage conservation increasingly looks to interlinkages of cultural, natural and social factors for site management and climate action. Previously, human impacts on the environment have been seen as wholly negative, with humans destroying what was considered to be “pristine” wilderness. However, positive relationships between humans and their environment are increasingly acknowledged as important for conservation, particularly those of indigenous peoples and local communities who are often most vulnerable to climate impacts.
The forest is vital to humanity as it filters greenhouse gases and stores huge amounts of carbon
Traditional and indigenous knowledges and practices that contribute to site sustainability and climate change adaptation are often learned onsite and passed from generation to generation. This expertise is important for site management strategies including research and monitoring. An informative case is Pimachiowin Aki in Canada, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2018. It is Canada's only mixed site, valued for both cultural and natural heritage.
Ancestral territories
Community involvement is at the heart of Pimachiowin Aki's World Heritage status, as the determination of Anishinaabe First Nations to protect their ancestral territories drove the 16-year campaign behind its inscription. A vast expanse of boreal forest, extensive water systems and Anishinaabe cultural heritage, the site covers nearly 30,000km2 across Ontario and Manitoba. The forest is vital to humanity as it filters greenhouse gases and stores huge amounts of carbon. In addition to protecting iconic species such as wolves and woodland caribou, the site's vast scale supports ecosystems under pressure from climate change as species have a better chance of finding new ranges for habitat.
The Anishinaabe First Nations' way of life is central to Pimachiowin Aki's conservation. Their tradition of "keeping the land" is based on harmonious relations with all life forms and guides all management decisions. This careful custodianship means visitors will find the land much as it was more than 7,000 years ago. "The entire site is protected from industrial-scale commercial logging, mining, and hydroelectric development and all of its waterways are free of dams and diversions" says Alison Haugh, executive director of the Pimachiowin Aki Corporation, which oversees site management.
Monitoring
The four Anishinaabe communities who manage Pimachiowin Aki along with the governments of Ontario and Manitoba are vital to ongoing research and monitoring. “Full-time guardians from the Anishinaabe First Nations observe, record and report on indicators of cultural and natural values in the site,” says Haugh. “Elders and other knowledge-keepers are engaged in developing indicators and metrics to provide reliable information on ecosystem health and the cultural landscape.”
Research collaborations are also under way with the University of Manitoba, says Haugh. "The Guardians, Pimachiowin Aki Corporation and the university are monitoring habitat intactness and climate change resilience in the site, using migratory bird communities. Pimachiowin Aki is likely to be an important refuge for bird species displaced by climate change and habitat loss further south."
While the World Heritage Convention offers a global instrument for conserving humanity’s heritage, climate change will continue to impact sites, creating risks and issues for conservation. Ultimately, governmental action in implementing the 2015 Paris climate-change agreement needs to be matched with responsible individual choice, identified by Dr Will Megarry as a vital element of climate action.
Ethical approach
This can include slow tourism where travellers take an ethical approach in visiting World Heritage sites, having quality experiences in single destinations rather than frequent, fast-paced trips. “The reality is we’ve got to understand our own contribution to this,” says Megarry. “People like travelling the world to see exceptional places but for me, heritage is fundamentally something local. I think the recent Covid-19 crisis has really identified the importance of the spaces people have around them.”
Leanna Wigboldus and Irene Fogarty are researchers in World Heritage at UCD, funded by the IRC Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Positive lockdown influence credited with fall in pre-term births

An “ unprecedented ” fall in pre-term births in one of the country ’ s largest maternity hospitals is being credited to the effect of positive lifestyle influences during the lockdown .
The number of underweight babies fell dramatically in University Maternity Hospital Limerick in the first four months of the year , a trend researchers believe is due to reduced stress and healthier lifestyles brought on by the Covid-19 restrictions .
There was a 73 per cent reduction in the number of very low birth-weight babies born in the hospital , compared to the average for the same first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preceding two decades , a study has found .
If the same finding is replicated nationally for the first four months of the year , there could be up to 200 fewer very-low-weight births this year , and several hundred more if the effect were to last to the end of the year .
Likening the unique conditions of the lockdown to “ nature ’ s experiment ” , lead author Prof Roy Philip said the improvements were due to a mix of self-imposed behavioural changes by mothers and externally imposed socio-environmental changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stress ; commuting and financial strain ; increased family support ; reduced environmental pollution ; better infection avoidance ; improved sleep and nutritional support ; adequate exercise ; and reduced exposure to tobacco and illegal drugs .
The findings , if reflected in other countries with lockdown , could trigger greater understanding of the poorly understood pathways that lead to pre-term birth ( before 37 weeks of gestation ) , the authors say .
More than 15 million babies are born too early , too sick and too small in the world every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children die .
Just three very low-birth-weight babies ( less than 1.5kg ) , and no extreme low-weight babies ( less than 1kg ) , were born in Limerick between January and April this year – there were 1,381 births during the period ; the rate in the previous 20 years was 3.77 times higher for this period of the year .
Prof Philip said a normal yearly variation might be 5-10 per cent but he described the 73 per cent fall as “ unprecedented ” .
The study , which has yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the very small number of low-weight babies born in 2020 was the result of the change in abortion law .
An examination of regional and national historic data suggests this is not the case , it says .
The trend seen from early March onwards was influenced by the pre-lockdown period of extra public-health vigilance that started in mid-February , it says .
The effects will continue to be seen in the coming months “ until such time as normality influencers are operating again ” .
“ However , post-lockdown deterioration in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late 2020 could increase the pre-term birth rates.
” Similar findings have been reported in Denmark , were a 90 per cent reduction in extremely low-weight babies has occurred .

More than 15m babies are born too early, too sick and too small in the world every year, and 1m of these children die. File photograph: Getty
An “unprecedented” fall in pre-term births in one of the country’s largest maternity hospitals is being credited to the effect of positive lifestyle influences during the lockdown.
The number of underweight babies fell dramatically in University Maternity Hospital Limerick in the first four months of the year, a trend researchers believe is due to reduced stress and healthier lifestyles brought on by the Covid-19 restrictions.
There was a 73 per cent reduction in the number of very low birth-weight babies born in the hospital, compared to the average for the same first four months of the year in the preceding two decades, a study has found.
If the same finding is replicated nationally for the first four months of the year, there could be up to 200 fewer very-low-weight births this year, and several hundred more if the effect were to last to the end of the year.
READ MORE
Likening the unique conditions of the lockdown to "nature's experiment", lead author Prof Roy Philip said the improvements were due to a mix of self-imposed behavioural changes by mothers and externally imposed socio-environmental changes.
These include: reduced work; stress; commuting and financial strain; increased family support; reduced environmental pollution; better infection avoidance; improved sleep and nutritional support; adequate exercise; and reduced exposure to tobacco and illegal drugs.
The findings, if reflected in other countries with lockdown, could trigger greater understanding of the poorly understood pathways that lead to pre-term birth (before 37 weeks of gestation), the authors say.
More than 15 million babies are born too early, too sick and too small in the world every year, and one million of these children die.
Just three very low-birth-weight babies (less than 1.5kg), and no extreme low-weight babies (less than 1kg), were born in Limerick between January and April this year – there were 1,381 births during the period; the rate in the previous 20 years was 3.77 times higher for this period of the year.
Prof Philip said a normal yearly variation might be 5-10 per cent but he described the 73 per cent fall as “unprecedented”.
Public-health vigilance
The study, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, investigated the possibility that the very small number of low-weight babies born in 2020 was the result of the change in abortion law.
An examination of regional and national historic data suggests this is not the case, it says.
The trend seen from early March onwards was influenced by the pre-lockdown period of extra public-health vigilance that started in mid-February, it says.
The effects will continue to be seen in the coming months “until such time as normality influencers are operating again”.
“However, post-lockdown deterioration in socio-environmental factors or a baby boom in late 2020 could increase the pre-term birth rates.”
Similar findings have been reported in Denmark, were a 90 per cent reduction in extremely low-weight babies has occurred.


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Seven of nine contact tracing centres have been closed

Seven of the nine centres operated by the State for contact tracing have now closed as the number of cases of coronavirus continues to fall .
The number of contact tracers has also fallen steeply with 30 on call at all times , compared with over 300 at the height of the pandemic .
However , ahead of a new round of extensive testing planned for nursing homes , the number of contacts identified by people diagnosed with Covid-19 has been rising since restrictions were eased three weeks ago .
The average number of contacts per diagnosis has risen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks since May 18th , compared with an average of two when the full lockdown restrictions were in place .
The Health Service Executive said the increase was to be expected as travel restrictions were lifted , more shops , services and businesses reopened and people left their homes more frequently .
It is expected the average number of contacts will rise after the new testing exercise in nursing homes , which follows widespread testing carried out in homes during April and May .
There have been more fatalities recorded among residents of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting .
The HSE has said that one person last week named a total of 25 contacts when diagnosed with coronavirus , a level that has not been seen since the early stages of contact tracing last March .
Senior officials said the case was an outlier but accepted if the number of contacts for each case began to approach those levels it would be a cause for concern .
When the process commenced in mid-March the average number of close contacts was 20 .
This dropped very quickly to an average of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person .
In the first week after restrictions were eased , the median had risen from two to three , for the first time since mid-March .
It has been rising since , as has been the average , which is now moving towards four .
Sources in the HSE said concerns would be raised if the number of close contacts was to rise .
“ As close contacts have a higher positivity rate , more contacts will lead to higher cases .
“ But the concern would arise if we started to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a longer period , ” added the source .
With an appreciable drop in the number of new cases in the past few weeks , the scale of the contact-tracing operation has been reduced .
Now , only two of the nine centres that were operating at the height of the pandemic remain open , with enough staff deployed to have 30 available on a seven-day basis .
The first call is always made to the diagnosed person by a clinician .
The second and third calls are made to ascertain how many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period around diagnosis , and then to contact those people to inform them they have been in close proximity to a person with coronavirus .
With wide testing due to restart in nursing homes in the coming weeks , it is expected there may be a short-term need to scale up the operation .
There are also contingency plans to bring in more contact tracers quickly should there be further surges of the virus in the coming months .
In all , some 1,500 people were trained to be contact tracers before and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there were no dramatic spikes in the spread of the disease , no more than 200 to 300 were used .
Plans are afoot to put contact tracing on a permanent footing , in one or two centres with a small number of core staff , who will be able to deal with monitoring future viral outbreaks or a second wave of coronavirus , either regionally or nationally , and tracing contacts .
The service will be designed , said officials , to be scaled up quickly should the need arise .

The number of contact tracers has also fallen steeply, with 30 on call at all times, compared with more than 300 at the height of the pandemic
Seven of the nine centres operated by the State for contact tracing have now closed as the number of cases of coronavirus continues to fall.
The number of contact tracers has also fallen steeply with 30 on call at all times, compared with over 300 at the height of the pandemic.
However, ahead of a new round of extensive testing planned for nursing homes, the number of contacts identified by people diagnosed with Covid-19 has been rising since restrictions were eased three weeks ago.
The average number of contacts per diagnosis has risen to close to 3.5 per person in the weeks since May 18th, compared with an average of two when the full lockdown restrictions were in place.
READ MORE
The Health Service Executive said the increase was to be expected as travel restrictions were lifted, more shops, services and businesses reopened and people left their homes more frequently.
It is expected the average number of contacts will rise after the new testing exercise in nursing homes, which follows widespread testing carried out in homes during April and May. There have been more fatalities recorded among residents of nursing homes than any other group or setting.
Cause for concern
The HSE has said that one person last week named a total of 25 contacts when diagnosed with coronavirus, a level that has not been seen since the early stages of contact tracing last March.
Senior officials said the case was an outlier but accepted if the number of contacts for each case began to approach those levels it would be a cause for concern.
When the process commenced in mid-March the average number of close contacts was 20. This dropped very quickly to an average of three and a median of two per person. In the first week after restrictions were eased, the median had risen from two to three, for the first time since mid-March. It has been rising since, as has been the average, which is now moving towards four.
Sources in the HSE said concerns would be raised if the number of close contacts was to rise. “As close contacts have a higher positivity rate, more contacts will lead to higher cases.
“But the concern would arise if we started to see a steady rise in cases over a longer period,” added the source.
With an appreciable drop in the number of new cases in the past few weeks, the scale of the contact-tracing operation has been reduced.
Now, only two of the nine centres that were operating at the height of the pandemic remain open, with enough staff deployed to have 30 available on a seven-day basis.
Scaling up
The first call is always made to the diagnosed person by a clinician. The second and third calls are made to ascertain how many contacts the person has had in the period around diagnosis, and then to contact those people to inform them they have been in close proximity to a person with coronavirus.
With wide testing due to restart in nursing homes in the coming weeks, it is expected there may be a short-term need to scale up the operation. There are also contingency plans to bring in more contact tracers quickly should there be further surges of the virus in the coming months.
In all, some 1,500 people were trained to be contact tracers before and during the outbreak. However, given that there were no dramatic spikes in the spread of the disease, no more than 200 to 300 were used.
Plans are afoot to put contact tracing on a permanent footing, in one or two centres with a small number of core staff, who will be able to deal with monitoring future viral outbreaks or a second wave of coronavirus, either regionally or nationally, and tracing contacts.
The service will be designed, said officials, to be scaled up quickly should the need arise.


theirishtimes--2020-06-11--Irish schools and racism: Do we have a problem?

Normally the only black adults working at Christelle Bekombo ’ s secondary school are the cleaners .
But the 26-year-old French teacher , originally from Cameroon , has become a role model for black students at Le Chéile Secondary School in Tyrrelstown , northwest Dublin .
“ It ’ s made a huge difference for them , ” she says .
“ I understand them .
They are happier .
They participate in class more .
And I ’ m showing that it can be done .
If the system doesn ’ t come to you , you go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-racism protests across the world , and allegations of racism in a number of schools here , it has prompted some to ask if the Irish education system has a racism problem ?
Bekombo is better-placed than most to give an informed view .
After arriving in Ireland as a 14-year-old , she went to secondary school in Tallaght and trained as a teacher at Trinity College Dublin .
She has been teaching at Le Chéile for the past three years .
“ Yes , I think there is a racism problem in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s everywhere .
It ’ s across all of society , ” she says .
She says she has had eggs thrown at her , been spat at , told to go back to her own country , as well as being misjudged and underestimated .
“ These are societal issues and school is just a small part .
It comes from home .
We need to tell our kids that they will meet people with different-colours skin and different hair and different backgrounds .
But that doesn ’ t mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than others.
” Many black students Ireland , she says , are discouraged by their own families from teaching because it ’ s not seen as “ their ” profession .
This , she hopes , is about to change .
While the Irish classroom has become much more diverse over the past decade or so , with one in 10 students from non-Irish backgrounds , this is not reflected among the teaching profession .
In Ireland today about 95 per cent of student teachers identify as “ white Irish ” , compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bekombo teaches at what is one of the most diverse secondary schools in Ireland .
There are , at last count , 67 nationalities represented in the school .
The biggest cohort of students are those from Nigerian backgrounds , followed by white Irish .
Many of the young people here have either arrived directly from their country of birth , or they are the first generation of their family to be born in Ireland .
While it could be a source of tension , the school says it celebrates its diversity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was principal of the school until recently , before being seconded to become ethos and leadership officer with Le Chéile Schools Trust , says the school is built on the idea of being “ united in our differences ” .
“ It has become a real strength , ” she says .
“ When we established our school we asked what does a real Catholic education mean ?
And it was that it had to be in the community , inclusive and difference was to be celebrated.
” Is there resistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of diversity , she says , is not trying to make everyone the same , but genuinely embracing difference .
Students are reminded of this principle , both inside and outside the school gate .
But it isn ’ t all sweetness and light .
When the school took part in a Mass that was broadcast on RTÉ , she says she was shocked to see online commentary afterwards from white supremacists and racists .
There are times when the world of politics intervenes and there can tensions between groupings .
And there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some groups sticking to themselves .
“ But in [ my ] experience , schools are working really , really hard around building a sense of community , ” says Moran .
“ The pastoral piece has always been important in Irish schools .
.
.
it means there is a focus on the care of students and school as a place of community , which isn ’ t the case in many other countries.
” Bekombo feels schools are part of the solution to racism in society .
She says there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done in encouraging people of colour to become teachers .
This can be key to tackling racism and making children from non-Irish backgrounds feel included .
“ I know that may some students will have a idea of black people in their head .
.
.
but when they see me in class and hear me , they come to like me .
It opens a door for them to understand who I am .
.
.
and for black students , it gives them a chance to see that black people can @ @ @ @ @

Christelle Bekcombo, at teacher at Le Chéile Secondary School in Tyrrelstown. She is one of a handful of black teachers in the Irish education system. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Normally the only black adults working at Christelle Bekombo’s secondary school are the cleaners.
But the 26-year-old French teacher, originally from Cameroon, has become a role model for black students at Le Chéile Secondary School in Tyrrelstown, northwest Dublin.
“It’s made a huge difference for them,” she says. “I understand them. They are happier. They participate in class more. And I’m showing that it can be done. If the system doesn’t come to you, you go to the system.”
Christelle Bekcombo, at teacher at Le Chéile Secondary School in Tyrrelstown. She is one of a handful of black teachers in the Irish education system. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Christelle Bekombo, a French teacher at Le Chéile Secondary School in Tyrrelstown, northwest Dublin, is one of the few black teachers in the Irish education system.
Against a backdrop of anti-racism protests across the world, and allegations of racism in a number of schools here, it has prompted some to ask if the Irish education system has a racism problem?
READ MORE
Bekombo is better-placed than most to give an informed view.
After arriving in Ireland as a 14-year-old, she went to secondary school in Tallaght and trained as a teacher at Trinity College Dublin. She has been teaching at Le Chéile for the past three years.
“Yes, I think there is a racism problem in Irish schools but not just Ireland, it’s everywhere. It’s across all of society,” she says.
She says she has had eggs thrown at her, been spat at, told to go back to her own country, as well as being misjudged and underestimated.
“These are societal issues and school is just a small part. It comes from home. We need to tell our kids that they will meet people with different-colours skin and different hair and different backgrounds. But that doesn’t mean they are any more or less intelligent than others.”
Many black students Ireland, she says, are discouraged by their own families from teaching because it’s not seen as “their” profession. This, she hopes, is about to change.
While the Irish classroom has become much more diverse over the past decade or so, with one in 10 students from non-Irish backgrounds, this is not reflected among the teaching profession.
In Ireland today about 95 per cent of student teachers identify as “white Irish”, compared to 85 per cent of the population.
Bekombo teaches at what is one of the most diverse secondary schools in Ireland.
There are, at last count, 67 nationalities represented in the school. The biggest cohort of students are those from Nigerian backgrounds, followed by white Irish. Many of the young people here have either arrived directly from their country of birth, or they are the first generation of their family to be born in Ireland.
While it could be a source of tension, the school says it celebrates its diversity as a strength.
Dr Áine Moran, who was principal of the school until recently, before being seconded to become ethos and leadership officer with Le Chéile Schools Trust, says the school is built on the idea of being “united in our differences”.
“It has become a real strength,” she says. “When we established our school we asked what does a real Catholic education mean? And it was that it had to be in the community, inclusive and difference was to be celebrated.”
Is there resistance to message of diversity?
The challenge of diversity, she says, is not trying to make everyone the same, but genuinely embracing difference.
Students are reminded of this principle, both inside and outside the school gate.
But it isn’t all sweetness and light.
When the school took part in a Mass that was broadcast on RTÉ, she says she was shocked to see online commentary afterwards from white supremacists and racists.
There are times when the world of politics intervenes and there can tensions between groupings. And there can also be challenges in mixing, with some groups sticking to themselves.
“But in [my] experience, schools are working really, really hard around building a sense of community,” says Moran. “The pastoral piece has always been important in Irish schools . . . it means there is a focus on the care of students and school as a place of community, which isn’t the case in many other countries.”
Bekombo feels schools are part of the solution to racism in society.
She says there is a lot of work to be done in encouraging people of colour to become teachers. This can be key to tackling racism and making children from non-Irish backgrounds feel included.
"I know that may some students will have a idea of black people in their head . . . but when they see me in class and hear me, they come to like me. It opens a door for them to understand who I am . . . and for black students, it gives them a chance to see that black people can be teachers too."