theirishtimes--2020-05-27--The human cost of Covid-19: new figures reveal the toll on Ireland's care homes

Every night , as the chief medical officer Tony Holohan reads out the latest figures relating to Covid-19 in the State , there is a section dedicated to nursing homes .
Every day , the number of cases in nursing homes and residential institutions rises ; the same for deaths in those settings .
In the depths of late March and early April , as the virus ran through care homes and claimed hundreds of lives , the figures leapt up every night .
Beneath those numbers is a story that is only told by figures privately compiled by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Irish Times and illustrated in the table and map with this article .
The figures show a breakdown of 1,030 deaths in 167 facilities caring for older people across the country , including community hospitals , long-stay units , residential institutions and nursing homes .
They are up to date as of Tuesday of this week .
They include those who died with both suspected and confirmed cases of Covid-19 .
The final figures on deaths and confirmed cases are produced by the State ’ s Health Protection Surveillance Centre .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at local level in Ireland , as communities centred around nursing homes and other residential care facilities have faced the virus .
An analysis of the figures shows that of the 10 settings which saw the highest number of deaths , accounting for 240 of the total , only one is a HSE-run facility – St Mary ’ s Hospital care home in Dublin ’ s Phoenix Park , where the HSE figures show 25 people have died .
The skew towards deaths in private nursing homes is likely accounted for by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State , which relies to a great extent on privately-run facilities , as well as a smaller figure from the voluntary sector .
Combined , these two ownership classes account for a significant majority of nursing homes in the State .
At least two homes run by either private sector organisations or voluntary groups are miscategorised in the data as HSE-run .
The three settings which saw the highest number of fatalities are all located either in Dublin or in its commuter belt .
Ryevale Nursing Home in Leixlip has had 35 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , according to the HSE figures .
Tara Winthrop Private Clinic , in Swords , has seen 29 deaths , while there have been 28 deaths associated with the Marymount Care Centre in Lucan .
Asked for comment , a spokesman for the Tara Winthrop Private Clinic said it “ does not discuss issues or statistics relating to staff or residents and their families in public .
It communicates directly with its stakeholders ” .
“ Tara Winthrop has always and continues to deliver its service to the highest standards in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lengthy statement , Marymount Care Centre said it is “ devastated at the loss of so many of our residents , including those whom we have cared for for many years , parents of close friends , and members of our local community that we ourselves have grown up with ” .
It said detailed infection control plans had been put in place since early March , including implementing visitor restrictions , limiting staff and resident movements and increased cleaning and PPE protocols , as well as temperature checks .
Ryevale Nursing Home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
The majority of nursing homes , which saw 10 or more deaths are concentrated either in Dublin , or within the commuter belt in counties like Wicklow , Meath and Kildare .
Several nursing homes disputed the accuracy of the figures , though the HSE figures are based on both laboratory-confirmed and suspected cases .
For example , the HSE figures show there have been 18 confirmed or suspected cases associated with Loughshinny Nursing Home in Dublin .
However , Bartra Healthcare , which owns the nursing home , disputed this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases .
It said it was “ not aware ” of any suspected cases associated with the facility .
The HSE figures show 23 deaths associated with Kiltipper Woods nursing home in Co Dublin , although when contacted for comment , the hospital said it was “ inaccurate and false to present or infer that there have been 23 Covid-19 resident deaths in our centre ” .
Phil D ’ Arcy , chief executive of the group which owns Drumbear Lodge in Monaghan , said the nursing home had seen deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although the HSE figures suggest there are 20 associated with the care home .

The Tara Winthrop Private Clinic, Swords has seen 29 deaths from Covid-19, according to the HSE.
Every night, as the chief medical officer Tony Holohan reads out the latest figures relating to Covid-19 in the State, there is a section dedicated to nursing homes.
Every day, the number of cases in nursing homes and residential institutions rises; the same for deaths in those settings. In the depths of late March and early April, as the virus ran through care homes and claimed hundreds of lives, the figures leapt up every night.
Beneath those numbers is a story that is only told by figures privately compiled by the Health Service Executive, and obtained by The Irish Times and illustrated in the table and map with this article.
[ go here ]
The figures show a breakdown of 1,030 deaths in 167 facilities caring for older people across the country, including community hospitals, long-stay units, residential institutions and nursing homes. They are up to date as of Tuesday of this week. They include those who died with both suspected and confirmed cases of Covid-19. The final figures on deaths and confirmed cases are produced by the State’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
READ MORE
They show a national and global story, at local level in Ireland, as communities centred around nursing homes and other residential care facilities have faced the virus.
An analysis of the figures shows that of the 10 settings which saw the highest number of deaths, accounting for 240 of the total, only one is a HSE-run facility – St Mary's Hospital care home in Dublin's Phoenix Park, where the HSE figures show 25 people have died.
The skew towards deaths in private nursing homes is likely accounted for by the model of elder care provision in the State, which relies to a great extent on privately-run facilities, as well as a smaller figure from the voluntary sector. Combined, these two ownership classes account for a significant majority of nursing homes in the State. At least two homes run by either private sector organisations or voluntary groups are miscategorised in the data as HSE-run.
The three settings which saw the highest number of fatalities are all located either in Dublin or in its commuter belt.
Ryevale Nursing Home in Leixlip has had 35 deaths associated with it, the most in the country, according to the HSE figures. Tara Winthrop Private Clinic, in Swords, has seen 29 deaths, while there have been 28 deaths associated with the Marymount Care Centre in Lucan.
‘Devastated’
Asked for comment, a spokesman for the Tara Winthrop Private Clinic said it "does not discuss issues or statistics relating to staff or residents and their families in public. It communicates directly with its stakeholders".
“Tara Winthrop has always and continues to deliver its service to the highest standards in accordance with the regulations.”
In a lengthy statement, Marymount Care Centre said it is “devastated at the loss of so many of our residents, including those whom we have cared for for many years, parents of close friends, and members of our local community that we ourselves have grown up with”. It said detailed infection control plans had been put in place since early March, including implementing visitor restrictions, limiting staff and resident movements and increased cleaning and PPE protocols, as well as temperature checks.
Ryevale Nursing Home did not respond to a request for comment.
The majority of nursing homes, which saw 10 or more deaths are concentrated either in Dublin, or within the commuter belt in counties like Wicklow, Meath and Kildare.
‘Inaccurate’
Several nursing homes disputed the accuracy of the figures, though the HSE figures are based on both laboratory-confirmed and suspected cases.
For example, the HSE figures show there have been 18 confirmed or suspected cases associated with Loughshinny Nursing Home in Dublin. However, Bartra Healthcare, which owns the nursing home, disputed this figure, saying there had been nine confirmed cases. It said it was "not aware" of any suspected cases associated with the facility.
The HSE figures show 23 deaths associated with Kiltipper Woods nursing home in Co Dublin, although when contacted for comment, the hospital said it was "inaccurate and false to present or infer that there have been 23 Covid-19 resident deaths in our centre".
Phil D’Arcy, chief executive of the group which owns Drumbear Lodge in Monaghan, said the nursing home had seen deaths in the “low number of teens”, although the HSE figures suggest there are 20 associated with the care home.


theirishtimes--2020-05-27--New rules for arrivals to Ireland start today - what is changing?

What is changing to the rules for quarantining visitors ?
From Thursday , all passengers arriving into the country are legally required to complete a Covid-19 passenger locator form making it mandatory for travellers arriving into the airports and ports to tell the State where they will be self-isolating for 14 days .
Self-isolation means completely avoiding contact with others and is more stringent that the stay-at-home measures that the wider public are having to adhere to .
The form will remain in place until June 18th .
Why is the State doing this ?
The Government wants to track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken to stem the spread of Covid-19 from abroad .
But wasn ’ t the State doing this already ?
Yes , but it was not a legal obligation until now .
Visitors arriving at airports and ports before today had been asked to fill out a form on “ an administrative basis ” , Minister for Health Simon Harris has said .
It is now an offence if they refuse .
Arrivals had previously been advised to self-isolate for 14 days once they came into the State .
These changes make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent people from providing false information .
What exactly do you have to write on the form ?
Each passenger aged 16 or older has to provide their name , address , contact details where they can be reached and their places and dates of residence for the following 14 days for themselves and any children travelling with them .
They must also provide information on the name of the aircraft/ferry they arrived on , the date and time of their arrival , their points of departure and arrival , and the reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people refuse to fill out the form ?
They can face a fine of up to €2,500 or six months in prison , or both , if they do not complete the form , if they provide false or misleading information , or if they fail to provide an update of any information should they move to a different location within the 14-day isolation period .
This feels like a big deal in a democracy and particularly when membership of the European Union and the Common Travel Area with Britain guarantees freedom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These rules are onerous but they are aimed at preventing the spread of a disease that has already killed more than 1,600 people in the State .
Mr Harris has said : “ These are extraordinary measures but they are necessary in a time of a public health crisis.
” Does this only apply to foreign nationals ?
No .
Everyone over 16 , whether Irish or not , must fill out the form and self-isolate for 14 days if they are coming into the country from abroad .
How will these rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be made to make sure people who travel into the country are staying where they said they would be .
If there is a confirmed or suspected case on a flight or ferry coming into the country , the form will allow State officials to carry out more accurate and quicker contact tracing to identify any people who had contact with the infected individual on a plane or boat .
It is an offence to refuse to provide information requested to verify the details on the form .
Can you move address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but you have to provide an update if you do .
What about people arriving and travelling on to Northern Ireland or other countries ?
Passengers travelling on to Northern Ireland or overseas who are leaving the port or airport but not residing in the State overnight do not need to provide further contact information .
Residents of Northern Ireland only have to fill out part of the form .
Does it apply to people who cross the Border from North to South ?
No .
People arriving from Northern Ireland are exempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transiting through a port or airport who do not exit the port or airport do not need to fill out the form .
Lorry drivers and holders of an international travel worker certificate do not need to fill out the forms if they are in the course of performing their duties .
Aircraft and ship crews and foreign diplomats do not need to fill out the forms .
Healthcare workers are not exempt ; they must fill out the form .
So should you travel abroad ?
The Government continues to advise Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel but if you do travel , you will have to self-isolate for 14 days on your return .
Are travellers advised to avoid public transport after leaving ports or airports on arrival ?
No .
Will these rules affect many people ?
Not many .
The number of visitors have dropped during the Covid-19 pandemic by more than 99 per cent .
For example , just 613 passengers were scheduled to arrive and depart through Dublin Airport yesterday .
On the same day last year , the number was almost 105,000 .

Minister for Health Simon Harris says that the current regulations requiring air travel passengers arriving into Ireland to fill out a locator form will be reviewed on June 18th. Video: Oireachtas TV
What is changing to the rules for quarantining visitors?
From Thursday, all passengers arriving into the country are legally required to complete a Covid-19 passenger locator form making it mandatory for travellers arriving into the airports and ports to tell the State where they will be self-isolating for 14 days. Self-isolation means completely avoiding contact with others and is more stringent that the stay-at-home measures that the wider public are having to adhere to. The form will remain in place until June 18th.
Why is the State doing this?
The Government wants to track all visitors and ensure precautions are being taken to stem the spread of Covid-19 from abroad.
But wasn't the State doing this already?
Yes, but it was not a legal obligation until now. Visitors arriving at airports and ports before today had been asked to fill out a form on "an administrative basis", Minister for Health Simon Harris has said. It is now an offence if they refuse. Arrivals had previously been advised to self-isolate for 14 days once they came into the State. These changes make it legally enforceable to complete the form and prevent people from providing false information.
What exactly do you have to write on the form?
Each passenger aged 16 or older has to provide their name, address, contact details where they can be reached and their places and dates of residence for the following 14 days for themselves and any children travelling with them. They must also provide information on the name of the aircraft/ferry they arrived on, the date and time of their arrival, their points of departure and arrival, and the reason for their travel.
READ MORE
What happens if people refuse to fill out the form?
They can face a fine of up to €2,500 or six months in prison, or both, if they do not complete the form, if they provide false or misleading information, or if they fail to provide an update of any information should they move to a different location within the 14-day isolation period.
This feels like a big deal in a democracy and particularly when membership of the European Union and the Common Travel Area with Britain guarantees freedom of movement. Is it?
Yes. These rules are onerous but they are aimed at preventing the spread of a disease that has already killed more than 1,600 people in the State. Mr Harris has said: "These are extraordinary measures but they are necessary in a time of a public health crisis."
Does this only apply to foreign nationals?
No. Everyone over 16, whether Irish or not, must fill out the form and self-isolate for 14 days if they are coming into the country from abroad.
How will these rules be monitored or enforced?
Follow-up checks can be made to make sure people who travel into the country are staying where they said they would be. If there is a confirmed or suspected case on a flight or ferry coming into the country, the form will allow State officials to carry out more accurate and quicker contact tracing to identify any people who had contact with the infected individual on a plane or boat. It is an offence to refuse to provide information requested to verify the details on the form.
Can you move address during the 14-day quarantine?
Yes, but you have to provide an update if you do.
What about people arriving and travelling on to Northern Ireland or other countries?
Passengers travelling on to Northern Ireland or overseas who are leaving the port or airport but not residing in the State overnight do not need to provide further contact information. Residents of Northern Ireland only have to fill out part of the form.
Does it apply to people who cross the Border from North to South?
No. People arriving from Northern Ireland are exempt.
Who else is exempt?
Passengers transiting through a port or airport who do not exit the port or airport do not need to fill out the form. Lorry drivers and holders of an international travel worker certificate do not need to fill out the forms if they are in the course of performing their duties. Aircraft and ship crews and foreign diplomats do not need to fill out the forms. Healthcare workers are not exempt; they must fill out the form.
So should you travel abroad?
The Government continues to advise Irish citizens and residents against all non-essential international travel but if you do travel, you will have to self-isolate for 14 days on your return.
Are travellers advised to avoid public transport after leaving ports or airports on arrival?
No.
Will these rules affect many people?
Not many. The number of visitors have dropped during the Covid-19 pandemic by more than 99 per cent. For example, just 613 passengers were scheduled to arrive and depart through Dublin Airport yesterday. On the same day last year, the number was almost 105,000.


theirishtimes--2020-05-29--Coronavirus: Schools should reopen in early stage of lifting lockdown, HSE experts say

Schools in Ireland are not a high-risk setting for the transmission of coronavirus , and reopening classrooms should be considered as an early measure in lifting restrictions , according to the HSE ’ s public health experts .
In a new study on school-related cases , experts examined whether there was any evidence of transmission of the virus prior to the closure of schools on March 12th .
At the time there were three confirmed cases of coronavirus involving three students , and a further three among adults in school settings .
The research found there was no confirmed transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a total of 1,025 child and adult contacts in primary and secondary schools .
The finding are contained in a research paper published on Thursday in Eurosurveillance , a journal on infectious disease control .
The five authors are listed as being members of the HSE ’ s public health medicine section .
In its conclusion , the authors say the findings echo the experience of other countries where children have not emerged as considerable drivers of Covid-19 transmission .
“ These findings suggest that schools are not a high-risk setting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between staff and pupils , ” the study concludes .
“ Given the burden of school closure .
.
.
reopening of schools should be considered as an early rather than a late measure in the lifting of restrictions.
” Minister for Education Joe McHugh , however , has said schools will remain closed until September and warned of “ massive ” logistical work in reopening them safely .
He said on Thursday that even if social distancing rules are relaxed from two to one metre , all children will still not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and online learning will continue .
The study ’ s findings say that while it is based on small numbers and provides limited evidence in relation to Covid-19 transmission in schools , it included all known cases with school attendance in the State .
The results also echo population screening studies in Iceland , Italy and Australia which identified very few cases of coronavirus transmission in schools .
The study says the three confirmed cases of students with the virus in Ireland included one in primary and two in secondary school .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other tutors who conducted educational sessions in schools of up to two hours long .
There were no confirmed cases out of the more than 1,000 contacts of these six cases .
They were exposed to the virus in class , sports lessons , music lessons and during a choir practice in a church .

‘Given the burden of school closure . . . reopening of schools should be considered as an early rather than a late measure in the lifting of restrictions,’ researchers have said. Photograph: iStock
Schools in Ireland are not a high-risk setting for the transmission of coronavirus, and reopening classrooms should be considered as an early measure in lifting restrictions, according to the HSE's public health experts.
In a new study on school-related cases, experts examined whether there was any evidence of transmission of the virus prior to the closure of schools on March 12th.
At the time there were three confirmed cases of coronavirus involving three students, and a further three among adults in school settings.
The research found there was no confirmed transmission of the virus from these six cases to a total of 1,025 child and adult contacts in primary and secondary schools.
READ MORE
The finding are contained in a research paper published on Thursday in Eurosurveillance, a journal on infectious disease control. The five authors are listed as being members of the HSE's public health medicine section.
In its conclusion, the authors say the findings echo the experience of other countries where children have not emerged as considerable drivers of Covid-19 transmission.
“These findings suggest that schools are not a high-risk setting for the transmission of Covid-19 between pupils or between staff and pupils,” the study concludes.
“Given the burden of school closure . . . reopening of schools should be considered as an early rather than a late measure in the lifting of restrictions.”
Logistical work
Minister for Education Joe McHugh, however, has said schools will remain closed until September and warned of “massive” logistical work in reopening them safely.
He said on Thursday that even if social distancing rules are relaxed from two to one metre, all children will still not be in a position to resume school full-time and online learning will continue.
The study’s findings say that while it is based on small numbers and provides limited evidence in relation to Covid-19 transmission in schools, it included all known cases with school attendance in the State.
The results also echo population screening studies in Iceland, Italy and Australia which identified very few cases of coronavirus transmission in schools.
The study says the three confirmed cases of students with the virus in Ireland included one in primary and two in secondary school.
The adult cases included a teacher and two other tutors who conducted educational sessions in schools of up to two hours long.
There were no confirmed cases out of the more than 1,000 contacts of these six cases. They were exposed to the virus in class, sports lessons, music lessons and during a choir practice in a church.
[ click here. ]


theirishtimes--2020-05-29--Coronavirus: Universities plan to limit student access to campuses

Most Irish universities are planning to limit access to campus to a few days a week for students and replace most lectures with online tuition in the new academic year .
However , colleges say students will still be able to access smaller face-to-face tutorials , laboratory work and other forms of group work on campus .
In addition , many are planning that students on campus will work together in “ pods ” or small groups to minimise physical mixing .
The capacity of larger lecture theatres in many colleges cases will have to be reduced by up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 2m social-distancing requirements .
University College Dublin , whose academic year is due to begin on September 21st , said it was planning to live-stream lectures , which would be physically attended by a much-reduced number of students .
The university ’ s president , Prof Andrew Deeks , said it would seek to ensure students can use the campus “ to the greatest extent possible ” and that core modules would have elements delivered in person .
“ We are committed to delivering the best face-to-face teaching and campus experience possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Physical mixing between students will be minimised , with students encouraged to work in stable groups or pods when on campus .
Campus activities with more than 50 people present in the same room will not be undertaken until public health guidelines allow , he added .
Trinity College Dublin is due to announce details of the new academic year shortly , but a spokesman confirmed that it would involve moving larger lectures online and facilitating laboratory work and tutorials in small groups on campus .
At Technological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told students there would be a a maximum of 30 per cent occupancy in lecture theatres , laboratories and other learning and social spaces .
“ This will have a significant impact on timetabling and the mode of delivery , and also on how you experience university life in semester one , ” he said .
Dublin City University said it was planning a “ hybrid ” of online and face-to-face classes .
DCU president Brian MacCraith said while current DCU students would start on October 5th , incoming first years would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part in an orientation programmes .
Maynooth University , NUI Galway , University College Cork and University of Limerick are also understood to be planned a “ blended learning ” approach when college reopens .
In a message to students , UL president Dr Des Fitzgerald , said the university was examining the option of allowing groups of students and staff – perhaps 20 per cent – to rotate in periods of on-campus learning with periods of off-campus online delivery .

Students on the UCD campus before the pandemic. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Most Irish universities are planning to limit access to campus to a few days a week for students and replace most lectures with online tuition in the new academic year.
However, colleges say students will still be able to access smaller face-to-face tutorials, laboratory work and other forms of group work on campus.
In addition, many are planning that students on campus will work together in “pods” or small groups to minimise physical mixing.
The capacity of larger lecture theatres in many colleges cases will have to be reduced by up to 90 per cent in order to comply with 2m social-distancing requirements.
READ MORE
University College Dublin, whose academic year is due to begin on September 21st, said it was planning to live-stream lectures, which would be physically attended by a much-reduced number of students.
The university's president, Prof Andrew Deeks, said it would seek to ensure students can use the campus "to the greatest extent possible" and that core modules would have elements delivered in person.
“We are committed to delivering the best face-to-face teaching and campus experience possible within whatever restrictions apply at the time,” he said.
Physical mixing between students will be minimised, with students encouraged to work in stable groups or pods when on campus.
Campus activities with more than 50 people present in the same room will not be undertaken until public health guidelines allow, he added.
Trinity plans
Trinity College Dublin is due to announce details of the new academic year shortly, but a spokesman confirmed that it will involve moving larger lectures online and facilitating laboratory work and tutorials in small groups on campus.
Unlike most other colleges, TCD is advising students that they are welcome to take part in Erasmus programmes, though it will no longer form a compulsory part of any course. In-bound Erasmuc prgrammes will also continue.
At Technological University Dublin, president Prof David Fitzpatrick told students there would be a a maximum of 30 per cent occupancy in lecture theatres, laboratories and other learning and social spaces.
“This will have a significant impact on timetabling and the mode of delivery, and also on how you experience university life in semester one,” he said.
Dublin City University said it was planning a "hybrid" of online and face-to-face classes.
DCU president Brian MacCraith said while current DCU students would start on October 5th, incoming first years would be brought in two weeks earlier to take part in an orientation programmes.
Maynooth University, NUI Galway, University College Cork and University of Limerick are also understood to be planned a "blended learning" approach when college reopens.
In a message to students, UL president Dr Des Fitzgerald, said the university was examining the option of allowing groups of students and staff – perhaps 20 per cent – to rotate in periods of on-campus learning with periods of off-campus online delivery.


theirishtimes--2020-05-29--Covid-19: Two-week quarantine period for arrivals into State could be lifted for some

The two-week quarantine period for people arriving into the State from abroad will be lifted for those coming from countries where the coronavirus has been controlled , under plans being considered by the Government .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told a private call with Fine Gael councillors earlier this week that he is examining lifting the current restrictions for countries which have a low number of Covid-19 cases and a low rate of reproduction .
At present , those arriving into Ireland are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days and are required to complete a passenger locator form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Failure to fill in the form is an offence .
The Taoiseach told the call such changes may be made in “ months not weeks ” .
The current Government advice is for citizens to avoid all non-essential travel overseas and it is also expected this will be changed in line with alterations to quarantine rules to allow Irish citizens holiday abroad .
Countries across Europe are easing their own quarantine rules , or preparing to do so , in order to restart their tourism industries .
It is understood the changes could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no clarity on this at present .
A senior Government source said Mr Varadkar stressed the envisaged timetable is “ months not weeks ” , with everything depending on how the virus develops in the coming weeks .
Mr Varadkar also indicated easing the self-isolation rules for travel from the United Kingdom could be a problem , given its current , relatively higher rate of reproduction and number of cases .
Meanwhile , a further nine people with Covid-19 have died , bringing the death toll in the State to 1,639 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus is now 24,841 following the announcement of 46 new cases on Thursday .
Prof Philip Nolan , chairman of the National Public Health Emergency Team ’ s ( NPHET ) Irish epidemiological modelling advisory group , said that according to the most recent indicators the “ overall story ” is that the disease is stable and declining .
He said the situation was “ astonishingly stable ” as he credited the “ responsible behaviour ” of the public .
At the department ’ s daily evening Covid-19 briefing , senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with challenges in the nursing homes sector .
At a meeting of the Dáil ’ s Covid-19 committee earlier this week , the head of Nursing Homes Ireland , Tadhg Daly , said that key State organisations had left nursing homes and their residents “ isolated ” during the early stages of the pandemic .
But Dr Kathleen MacLellan , chair of NPHET ’ s vulnerable people subgroup , said on Thursday : “ I think it is very difficult to see how Nursing Homes Ireland can see themselves isolated from the State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engagement with Nursing Homes Ireland in what I would say has been a very problem-solving way .
“ Every time an issue has come up we have worked with Nursing Homes Ireland to try and resolve that and it is very clear that we have seen the HSE response here .
”

The two-week quarantine period for people arriving into the State from abroad will be lifted for those coming from countries where the coronavirus has been controlled, under plans being considered by the Government.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told a private call with Fine Gael councillors earlier this week that he is examining lifting the current restrictions for countries which have a low number of Covid-19 cases and a low rate of reproduction.
At present, those arriving into Ireland are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days and are required to complete a passenger locator form to show where there are staying. Failure to fill in the form is an offence.
The Taoiseach told the call such changes may be made in “months not weeks”.
READ MORE
The current Government advice is for citizens to avoid all non-essential travel overseas and it is also expected this will be changed in line with alterations to quarantine rules to allow Irish citizens holiday abroad.
Countries across Europe are easing their own quarantine rules, or preparing to do so, in order to restart their tourism industries.
It is understood the changes could apply from August or earlier, although there is no clarity on this at present.
A senior Government source said Mr Varadkar stressed the envisaged timetable is “months not weeks”, with everything depending on how the virus develops in the coming weeks.
Mr Varadkar also indicated easing the self-isolation rules for travel from the United Kingdom could be a problem, given its current, relatively higher rate of reproduction and number of cases.
Meanwhile, a further nine people with Covid-19 have died, bringing the death toll in the State to 1,639. The total number of confirmed cases of the virus is now 24,841 following the announcement of 46 new cases on Thursday.
Outbreak ‘stable’
Prof Philip Nolan, chairman of the National Public Health Emergency Team's (NPHET) Irish epidemiological modelling advisory group, said that according to the most recent indicators the "overall story" is that the disease is stable and declining.
He said the situation was “astonishingly stable” as he credited the “responsible behaviour” of the public.
At the department’s daily evening Covid-19 briefing, senior NPHET officials defended their response to dealing with challenges in the nursing homes sector.
At a meeting of the Dáil's Covid-19 committee earlier this week, the head of Nursing Homes Ireland, Tadhg Daly, said that key State organisations had left nursing homes and their residents "isolated" during the early stages of the pandemic.
But Dr Kathleen MacLellan, chair of NPHET’s vulnerable people subgroup, said on Thursday: “I think it is very difficult to see how Nursing Homes Ireland can see themselves isolated from the State. There is clear and significant ongoing engagement with Nursing Homes Ireland in what I would say has been a very problem-solving way.
“Every time an issue has come up we have worked with Nursing Homes Ireland to try and resolve that and it is very clear that we have seen the HSE response here.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-29--Covid-19 student days: Empty lecture theatres, online learning and micro-communities

A few weeks ago .
Dublin City University president Brian MacCraith requested experts to advise on how the capacity of its largest lecture theatre would be affected by social-distancing rules .
“ We have a 500-seat , tiered lecture theatre here , ” says MacCraith.
” When we measured it , we realised it would only accommodate about 50 people.
” Similar restrictions apply to smaller lecture theatres and classrooms right across the campus .
It has left college management with a major dilemma : how to accommodate the university ’ s 16,000 students come September .
DCU has decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online tuition .
Students will most likely have limited access to the campus for a maximum of two days a week for smaller face-to-face tutorials , laboratory work and other small group activity .
Many other universities across the State are planning similar measures in the new academic year with an emphasis on “ blended learning ” , combining online tuition with smaller group work on campus .
UCD , for example , is proposing to live-stream lectures , with a reduced number of students physically present , and to organise “ flipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed by online or small group discussions .
It says campus activities will be limited to no more than 50 people in a room until public health guidelines stipulate these are permissible .
Trinity College Dublin says it is taking its lead from universities elsewhere in Europe by delivering larger lectures to groups more online , with smaller lectures , seminars and tutorials taking place on campus .
Academics say they have been told only 20 per cent of students could be accommodated for lectures on campus .
All are keen to emphasise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ route of the University of Cambridge , which made headlines last week when it announced it is moving all its lectures and learning activity online .
But if most lectures end up behind a screen , and campus social life is dramatically curtailed , how much attraction will the idea of college hold in the new academic year ?
Clubs and societies and social events have always been an essential part of the university experience .
It ’ s where students form lifelong friendships , discover themselves and find out what they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example , would the storyline of Normal People hold up in an era of social distancing and “ physical mixing ” limits on campus ?
And then there ’ s the dilemma facing students of whether it ’ s worth their while spending thousands of euro on student accommodation if they end up doing most of their work remotely .
UCD president Andrew Deeks says teaching will commence on September 21st and that face-to-face interaction will continue to be a “ vital ingredient ” in students ’ learning journeys .
“ While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pose significant challenges in maintaining this experience , we will seek to ensure our students commence and continue their education in UCD accessing and using our campuses to the greatest extent possible , ” he says .
While physical mixing between students from different cohorts will be minimised , he says students will work in “ stable groups or pods ” when on campus to facilitate contact tracing , if required .
The university is also planning to reopen – to the “ greatest extent possible ” – facilities such as the student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops and other indoor amenity and study spaces , as well as on-campus student residences and other activities .
At DCU , MacCraith says he is acutely aware of the need to ensure college isn ’ t “ experienced behind a screen ” and work is under way in scoping how the university ’ s 140 clubs and societies can continue to function .
“ I think it will be about creating micro-communities , organising workshops for students .
.
.
if there ’ s a gig in the Helix , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere in the campus .
It ’ s all about being creative and innovative.
” He is particularly keen to ensure first-year students get an authentic taste of college life , which is why it has decided they will begin on September 21st – two weeks ahead of other students .
University of Limerick has also signalled it will be as “ accommodating as possible ” for new students , while UCC says the new academic year will begin on September 28th following a “ phased and gradual return to work in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is likely to reopen for undergraduate students on September 28th , has had to cancel on-campus events , but is exploring ways of allowing freshers ’ week , along with clubs and societies , to function in line with social distancing requirements .
The university ’ s provost , Patrick Prendergast , said in a recent online video that he is looking forward to walking “ through our resurgent campus in the autumn , pulsating again with people and ideas ” .
If colleges are facing challenges dealing with social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the financial black hole facing the sector .
The latest estimates by the Higher Education Authority are that colleges will have a €500 million shortfall due to a drop in international students and other sources of income .
Colleges have also been told there is no additional funding available , at present , for the cost of implementing social distancing or boosting online teaching and learning supports .
The same report also warns there is a likelihood the number of college deferrals will rise this year , due to the Covid-19 fallout .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ says he is hopeful students will still find college to be a stimulating and exciting experience .
“ What students mainly want is a connection ; they want to be in a space where they feel they can make friends , feel connected .
No student wants their college experience to be through a screen or laptop .
“ We ’ re hearing from principals and students themselves that they ’ re dying to get into university ; we ’ re not hearing about deferrals .
“ That ’ s why we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in advance , so they can learn how to learn online , create connections with staff and tutors and form these micro-communities.
” The prospect of returning to college normally makes Trinity student Luke Fehily feel a tingle of anticipation .
“ I ’ ve always been enthused about seeing friends , lecturers and professors .
.
.
but when you strip everything away , I worry that it will be almost like watching a Youtube video , ” says Fehily , a final-year nanoscience student .
“ It all sounds a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he says , now feels like a “ time-capsule from another age ” of what college used to be like .
“ It will be held up , rightly or wrongly , as the quintessential Trinity experience , just at a time when we won ’ t be able to able to experience it .
.
.
It ’ s a time of personal growth .
Lots of people say they grow most in their first few years in university – and it ’ s not because they ’ re encountering new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is hoping to begin a masters in human rights law in UCD in September , is concerned about having limited access to the campus .
“ The thing with online lectures is that you sometimes lose motivation as you don ’ t have a schedule and can listen to it at any time , ” she says .
“ As I didn ’ t do my undergraduate in UCD , I hope the situation allows us to start back on campus in September as I want to see my new classmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the library and be able to join societies and clubs.
” Ciarán Freeman is a general nursing student in NUI Galway who says he is apprehensive about online learning .
“ Due to healthcare disciplines requiring instruction in many clinical skills , we will have to physically attend college for skill sessions , ” he says .
“ Accommodation is also going to be exceptionally difficult for students , especially those in nursing and midwifery .
Many rely on digs , but some families may be unwilling to house another person now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of contracting Covid-19 .
”

A few weeks ago. Dublin City University president Prof Brian MacCraith requested experts to advise on how the capacity of its largest lecture theatre would be affected by social-distancing rules.
“We have a 500-seat, tiered lecture theatre here,” says MacCraith.”When we measured it, we realised it would only accommodate about 50 people.”
Similar restrictions apply to smaller lecture theatres and classrooms right across the campus. It has left college management with a major dilemma: how to accommodate the university’s 16,000 students come September.
Trinity Ball: College is where students form lifelong friendships, discover themselves and find out what they’re really capable of. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
Trinity is exploring ways of allowing freshers’ week, along with clubs and societies, to function in line with social distancing requirements. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
DCU has decided that most lectures will be replaced with online tuition. Students will most likely have limited access to the campus for a maximum of two days a week for smaller face-to-face tutorials, laboratory work and other small group activity.
READ MORE
Many other universities across the State are planning similar measures in the new academic year with an emphasis on “blended learning”, combining online tuition with smaller group work on campus.
UCD, for example, is proposing to live-stream lectures, with a reduced number of students physically present, and to organise “flipped classes” where students watch pre-recorded lectures followed by online or small group discussions.
It says campus activities will be limited to no more than 50 people in a room until public health guidelines stipulate these are permissible.
Trinity College Dublin says it is taking its lead from universities elsewhere in Europe by delivering larger lectures to groups online, with smaller lectures, seminars and tutorials taking place on campus.
All are keen to emphasise that they are not going down the route of the University of Cambridge, which made headlines last week when it announced it is moving all its lectures and learning activity online.
Clubs and societies
But if most lectures end up behind a screen, and campus social life is dramatically curtailed, how much attraction will the idea of college really hold in the new academic year?
Clubs and societies and social events have always been an essential part of the university experience.
It’s where students form lifelong friendships, discover themselves and find out what they’re really capable of.
How, for example, would the storyline of Normal People hold up in an era of social distancing and “physical mixing” limits on campus?
And then there’s the dilemma facing students of whether it’s worth their while spending thousands of euro on student accommodation if they end up doing most of their work remotely.
UCD president Prof Andrew Deeks says teaching will commence on September 21st and that face-to-face interaction will continue to be a "vital ingredient" in students' learning journeys.
“While the national response to Covid-19 continues to pose significant challenges in maintaining this experience, we will seek to ensure our students commence and continue their education in UCD accessing and using our campuses to the greatest extent possible,” he says.
While physical mixing between students from different cohorts will be minimised, he says students will work in “stable groups or pods” when on campus to facilitate contact tracing, if required.
The university is also planning to reopen – to the “greatest extent possible” – facilities such as the student centre, sports centre, restaurants, shops and other indoor amenity and study spaces, as well as on-campus student residences and other activities.
Social life
At DCU, MacCraith says he is acutely aware of the need to ensure college isn’t “experienced behind a screen” and work is under way in scoping how the university’s 140 clubs and societies can continue to function.
“I think it will be about creating micro-communities, organising workshops for students . . . if there’s a gig in the Helix, we’re looking at how to stream it elsewhere in the campus. It’s all about being creative and innovative.”
He is particularly keen to ensure first-year students get an authentic taste of college life, which is why it has decided they will begin on September 21st – two weeks ahead of other students.
Given that students will be on campus for no more than a few days a week, the university is to offer students “highly flexible” on-campus accommodation for the coming academic year.
These students will be able to state if they need accommodation for specific days, weeks or months rather than block-booking for the academic year.
MacCraith said: “This is a radically different model for on-campus university accommodation. But it reflects the new circumstances for students and, from our discussions with them, we are confident that it addresses their needs in an adaptable fashion.”
University of Limerick has also signalled it will be as "accommodating as possible" for new students, while UCC says the new academic year will begin on September 28th following a "phased and gradual return to work in a safe and controlled environment".
Trinity, which is likely to reopen for undergraduate students on September 28th, has had to cancel on-campus events, but is exploring ways of allowing freshers’ week, along with clubs and societies, to function in line with social distancing requirements.
The university's provost, Prof Patrick Prendergast, said in a recent online video that he is looking forward to walking "through our resurgent campus in the autumn, pulsating again with people and ideas".
Unlike most other colleges, TCD is advising students that they are welcome to take part in Erasmus programmes, though it will no longer form a compulsory part of any course. In-bound Erasmuc prgrammes will also continue.
Fund shortfall
If colleges are facing challenges dealing with social distancing requirements, it is nothing compared to the financial black hole facing the sector.
Latest estimates by the Higher Education Authority are that colleges will have a €500 million shortfall due to a drop in international students and other sources of income.
Colleges have also been told there is no additional funding available, at present, for the cost of implementing social distancing or boosting online teaching and learning supports.
The same report also warns there is a likelihood the number of college deferrals will rise this year, due to the Covid-19 fallout.
While the challenges are daunting, MacCraith says he is hopeful students will still find college to be a stimulating and exciting experience.
“What students mainly want is a connection; they want to be in a space where they feel they can make friends, feel connected. No student wants their college experience to be through a screen or laptop.
“We’re hearing from principals and students themselves that they’re dying to get into university; we’re not hearing about deferrals.
“That’s why we’re bringing first years back two weeks in advance, so they can learn how to learn online, create connections with staff and tutors and form these micro-communities.”
‘It sounds bleak’: Students on returning to socially distanced university
The prospect of returning to college normally makes Trinity student Luke Fehily feel a tingle of anticipation.
“I’ve always been enthused about seeing friends, lecturers and professors . . . but when you strip everything away, I worry that it will be almost like watching a Youtube video,” says Fehily, a final-year nanoscience student. “It all sounds a bit bleak.”
The Normal People TV series, he says, now feels like a “time-capsule from another age” of what college used to be like.
“It will be held up, rightly or wrongly, as the quintessential Trinity experience, just at a time when we won’t be able to able to experience it . . . It’s a time of personal growth. Lots of people say they grow most in their first few years in university – and it’s not because they’re encountering new material in class.”
Christine Ní Mhathúna, who is hoping to begin a masters in human rights law in UCD in September, is concerned about having limited access to the campus.
“The thing with online lectures is that you sometimes lose motivation as you don’t have a schedule and can listen to it at any time,” she says.
“As I didn’t do my undergraduate in UCD, I hope the situation allows us to start back on campus in September as I want to see my new classmates, the college itself, have access to the library and be able to join societies and clubs.”
Ciarán Freeman is a general nursing student in NUI Galway who says he is apprehensive about online learning.
“Due to healthcare disciplines requiring instruction in many clinical skills, we will have to physically attend college for skill sessions,” he says.
“Accommodation is also going to be exceptionally difficult for students, especially those in nursing and midwifery. Many rely on digs, but some families may be unwilling to house another person now, especially a student who has the risk of contracting Covid-19.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-29--Coronavirus: HSA says 800 workplace inspections carried out since May 18th

Some 800 workplace inspections , including in meat processing plants , have been carried out by the Health and Safety Authority ( HSA ) since the State began its first phase of reopening the country on May 18th .
There had been a “ high level of compliance ” as part of the return-to-work safety protocol , and employers were taking a “ responsible and proactive approach ” to health and safety measures during the pandemic , the HSA said on Thursday , based on initial analysis .
However , the authority had received seven complaints regarding four different meat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was following up on the issues raised .
It said it was carrying out “ proactive inspections ” of other meat processing plants , and that the Department of Agriculture was also checking conditions in plants .
Some 103 cases of Covid-19 were reported on meat processing plants as of Tuesday , bringing to 925 the total number of cases in the sector .
As a member of the National Outbreak Control Team , the authority is “ working to address the issue of outbreaks in meat processing plants , and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental health , animal health and ourselves in relation to occupational health and safety ” , a HSA spokesman told The Irish Times .
He said the national and local outbreak control teams have been established to recommend steps and measures to ensure current and future outbreaks could be managed and brought under control as quickly as possible .
“ The authority has no role in carrying out or arranging any diagnostic tests or medical examinations relating to the personal health of individuals in any workplace .
Our role relates only to occupational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said last week that between 55 per cent and 60 per cent of staff in meat processing plants had returned to work .
He said he did not agree mistakes had been made in the sector , and that it was an evolving situation , adding that outbreak control teams had the authority to close down plants if required .
Employees at meat plants work in prolonged close proximity to other workers , increasing the risk of transmitting the virus .
The rigid production lines , often involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pig carcasses on hooks passing along a factory ’ s “ kill line ” , mean that the nature of the work is at close quarters , involving repeated activity by hundreds of staff standing shoulder to shoulder .
As an essential industry producing food , meat plants were not closed during the pandemic .
Among the precautions taken in meat plants to curb the spread of the virus are reduced production by processing fewer animals , staggered working shifts and staff departures and arrivals , and reconfigured production lines , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintain two-metre physical distancing .
The HSA said employers , workers and members of the public could access advice , guidance , templates and checklists relating to health and safety during the pandemic from the authority ’ s website .

As an essential industry producing food, meat plants were not closed during the pandemic. Photograph: Getty Images
Some 800 workplace inspections, including in meat processing plants, have been carried out by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) since the State began its first phase of reopening the country on May 18th .
There had been a “high level of compliance” as part of the return-to-work safety protocol, and employers were taking a “responsible and proactive approach” to health and safety measures during the pandemic, the HSA said on Thursday, based on initial analysis.
However, the authority had received seven complaints regarding four different meat processing plants up to May 20th, and was following up on the issues raised.
It said it was carrying out “proactive inspections” of other meat processing plants, and that the Department of Agriculture was also checking conditions in plants.
READ MORE
Some 103 cases of Covid-19 were reported on meat processing plants as of Tuesday, bringing to 925 the total number of cases in the sector.
As a member of the National Outbreak Control Team, the authority is "working to address the issue of outbreaks in meat processing plants, and has input from professionals in public health, environmental health, animal health and ourselves in relation to occupational health and safety", a HSA spokesman told The Irish Times.
He said the national and local outbreak control teams have been established to recommend steps and measures to ensure current and future outbreaks could be managed and brought under control as quickly as possible.
“The authority has no role in carrying out or arranging any diagnostic tests or medical examinations relating to the personal health of individuals in any workplace. Our role relates only to occupational health and safety in the workplace.”
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said last week that between 55 per cent and 60 per cent of staff in meat processing plants had returned to work. He said he did not agree mistakes had been made in the sector, and that it was an evolving situation, adding that outbreak control teams had the authority to close down plants if required.
Close proximity
Employees at meat plants work in prolonged close proximity to other workers, increasing the risk of transmitting the virus.
The rigid production lines, often involving, for example, a conveyor belt of pig carcasses on hooks passing along a factory’s “kill line”, mean that the nature of the work is at close quarters, involving repeated activity by hundreds of staff standing shoulder to shoulder.
As an essential industry producing food, meat plants were not closed during the pandemic.
Among the precautions taken in meat plants to curb the spread of the virus are reduced production by processing fewer animals, staggered working shifts and staff departures and arrivals, and reconfigured production lines, including installing partitions where possible to ensure workers maintain two-metre physical distancing.
The HSA said employers, workers and members of the public could access advice, guidance, templates and checklists relating to health and safety during the pandemic from the authority’s website.


theirishtimes--2020-05-29--No temporary increase in weekly asylum payment during pandemic

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has said it will not increase the daily expenses allowance for asylum seekers following a request for the weekly payment to be temporarily increased by €20 during the Covid-19 pandemic .
More than 40 organisations , legal professionals and academics working with asylum seekers in Ireland wrote to the Minister for Employment and Social protection Regina Doherty in early May asking for additional financial support for people in direct provision during the health crisis .
The group expressed concern that people seeking protection were not entitled to the State ’ s short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained “ exceptionally vulnerable ” during the crisis .
Many asylum seekers are facing additional costs including increased spending on children who would normally be at school , cleaning items , medicine and food , said the letter to the minister .
Many direct provision residents who would usually use free Wi-Fi in libraries , are spending more money on mobile data to access public health guidance online , it added .
The letter also urged the department to reconsider its decision not to make the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment ( PUP ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While some asylum seekers who lost work because of the coronavirus initially received the State support measure , payments to people living in direct provision stopped after a couple of weeks and residents were put back on the €38.80 weekly allowance ( €155.20 per month ) for adults in the asylum system .
Children in direct provision receive €29.80 each week .
In a letter dated May 15th and seen by The Irish Times , Ms Doherty responded that there were no plans to reinstate the Covid-19 payment to asylum seekers in direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases to the rate of the daily expenses allowance would have to be approved by Government and “ considered in a budgetary context ” , she said .
Protection applicants living in direct provision receive food , accommodation and other services as well as the weekly allowance while the PUP is paid to “ people , who in most cases , have no other source of income ” , said Ms Doherty in the letter .
Asylum seekers living outside direct provision are eligible for PUP , she added .
The minister noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , asylum seekers could stay with friends or family on a temporary basis while retaining their place within the accommodation system and continuing to receive the weekly stipend .
Asylum seekers can also access exceptional needs payments , with payments made at the discretion of officers administering the scheme , she said .
Any asylum seeker who requires financial assistance should contact the community welfare service that deals with their accommodation centre , added the minister .
Irish Refugee Council director Nick Henderson said he was disappointed by the minister ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to campaign for the increased financial support .
An additional €20 per week would enable direct provision residents to buy extra hand sanitiser , face masks , phone data or home schooling tools , said Mr Henderson .
“ Rejecting this request on the grounds that it is a budgetary matter and would need to be approved by Government ignores the seismic changes that have already been made to this year ’ s budget , ” he said .
“ Increasing the allowance by this amount would go some way in showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said there were no plans to reinstate the Covid-19 payment to asylum seekers in direct provision who had lost work. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has said it will not increase the daily expenses allowance for asylum seekers following a request for the weekly payment to be temporarily increased by €20 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
More than 40 organisations, legal professionals and academics working with asylum seekers in Ireland wrote to the Minister for Employment and Social protection Regina Doherty in early May asking for additional financial support for people in direct provision during the health crisis.
The group expressed concern that people seeking protection were not entitled to the State’s short term Covid-19 financial support and that they remained “exceptionally vulnerable” during the crisis.
Many asylum seekers are facing additional costs including increased spending on children who would normally be at school, cleaning items, medicine and food, said the letter to the minister. Many direct provision residents who would usually use free Wi-Fi in libraries, are spending more money on mobile data to access public health guidance online, it added.
READ MORE
The letter also urged the department to reconsider its decision not to make the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) available to people in direct provision.
While some asylum seekers who lost work because of the coronavirus initially received the State support measure, payments to people living in direct provision stopped after a couple of weeks and residents were put back on the €38.80 weekly allowance (€155.20 per month) for adults in the asylum system. Children in direct provision receive €29.80 each week.
In a letter dated May 15th and seen by The Irish Times, Ms Doherty responded that there were no plans to reinstate the Covid-19 payment to asylum seekers in direct provision who had lost work.
Any increases to the rate of the daily expenses allowance would have to be approved by Government and “considered in a budgetary context”, she said.
Protection applicants living in direct provision receive food, accommodation and other services as well as the weekly allowance while the PUP is paid to “people, who in most cases, have no other source of income”, said Ms Doherty in the letter.
Asylum seekers living outside direct provision are eligible for PUP, she added.
The minister noted that under measures introduced in response to the pandemic, asylum seekers could stay with friends or family on a temporary basis while retaining their place within the accommodation system and continuing to receive the weekly stipend.
Asylum seekers can also access exceptional needs payments, with payments made at the discretion of officers administering the scheme, she said. Any asylum seeker who requires financial assistance should contact the community welfare service that deals with their accommodation centre, added the minister.
Irish Refugee Council director Nick Henderson said he was disappointed by the minister's response and that the group would continue to campaign for the increased financial support.
An additional €20 per week would enable direct provision residents to buy extra hand sanitiser, face masks, phone data or home schooling tools, said Mr Henderson. “Rejecting this request on the grounds that it is a budgetary matter and would need to be approved by Government ignores the seismic changes that have already been made to this year’s budget,” he said. “Increasing the allowance by this amount would go some way in showing we truly are all in this together.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-28--Women’s Aid helpline sees calls increase almost 40% during lockdown

Women reported being strangled , raped and beaten to a national domestic violence helpline , where calls have increased by almost 40 per cent compared with a year ago .
The Women ’ s Aid national freephone line has answered over 4,000 calls since March – a 39 per cent increase on the same period last year .
Its website has had over 72,000 visits – a 74 per cent increase on the same time in 2019 .
“ Since late March we have been answering calls from women who are trapped at home with very dangerous abusers , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Women ’ s Aid .
“ We have spoken to women who have been attacked with weapons and fists , who are being verbally abused , controlled and monitored at all times .
Women with underlying health issues have reported that their partners are deliberately not adhering to Covid-19 restrictions.
” The mental health impact of domestic abuse is heightened due to restrictions , with some women expressing suicidal ideation .
In one case a woman in her 70s , named in the charity ’ s statement as “ Agnes ” , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her married life .
“ Though her husband is now 80 , she continues to endure his abuse and remains terrified of him .
To make matters worse , her son , aged in his 50s , recently returned to the family home and he has become increasingly more abusive in his behaviour towards her too .
“ Agnes told us : ‘ He refuses to contribute financially and demands that I wait on him hand and foot .
Whenever I ’ ve asked him to help , he has got angry and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ You owe me , you old b***h ’ and ‘ You ’ ve never done anything for me , so why should I do anything for you ?
’ ” The Covid-19 lockdown had made her situation “ even more unbearable ” says Women ’ s Aid .
She felt trapped and feared the consequences of telling anyone outside the family home .
Women ’ s Aid is concerned at the absence of a detailed plan in the framework document for Government negotiations , as to how domestic violence will be tackled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for urgent increases in funding for specialist services , reform of the criminal and family law systems and robust measures to tackle online abuse and harassment , including image-based abuse .
Details of other specialist domestic and sexual abuse support services , including services for male victims , are available at stillhere.ie .

The Women’s Aid national freephone line has answered over 4,000 calls since March this year
Women reported being strangled, raped and beaten to a national domestic violence helpline, where calls have increased by almost 40 per cent compared with a year ago.
The Women’s Aid national freephone line has answered over 4,000 calls since March – a 39 per cent increase on the same period last year. Its website has had over 72,000 visits – a 74 per cent increase on the same time in 2019.
"Since late March we have been answering calls from women who are trapped at home with very dangerous abusers," said Sarah Benson, chief executive of Women's Aid.
“We have spoken to women who have been attacked with weapons and fists, who are being verbally abused, controlled and monitored at all times. Women with underlying health issues have reported that their partners are deliberately not adhering to Covid-19 restrictions.”
READ MORE
The mental health impact of domestic abuse is heightened due to restrictions, with some women expressing suicidal ideation.
In one case a woman in her 70s, named in the charity’s statement as “Agnes”, called and reported she had suffered abuse all her married life.
“Though her husband is now 80, she continues to endure his abuse and remains terrified of him. To make matters worse, her son, aged in his 50s, recently returned to the family home and he has become increasingly more abusive in his behaviour towards her too.
“Agnes told us: ‘He refuses to contribute financially and demands that I wait on him hand and foot. Whenever I’ve asked him to help, he has got angry and aggressive with me, shouting things like ‘You owe me, you old b***h’ and ‘You’ve never done anything for me, so why should I do anything for you?’”
The Covid-19 lockdown had made her situation “even more unbearable” says Women’s Aid. She felt trapped and feared the consequences of telling anyone outside the family home.
Women’s Aid is concerned at the absence of a detailed plan in the framework document for Government negotiations, as to how domestic violence will be tackled by the next administration.
It is calling for urgent increases in funding for specialist services, reform of the criminal and family law systems and robust measures to tackle online abuse and harassment, including image-based abuse.
Call the Women’s Aid 24 hour national freephone helpline on 1800 341 900.
Details of other specialist domestic and sexual abuse support services, including services for male victims, are available at stillhere.ie.


theirishtimes--2020-05-28--Gardaí uncover cannabis grow house in the midlands

Gardaí have located a cannabis grow house in Ballymahon , Co Longford , and seized more than €130,000 worth of @ @ @ @ @ .
Officers attached to the divisional drugs unit in Longford/Roscommon Division made the find shortly @ @ @ @ @ a search warrant .
Gardaí also seized weighing scales , fans and lamps associated with @ @ @ @ @ drugs from the house .
One man in his 20s has been arrested and is @ @ @ @ @ of the Criminal Justice ( Drug Trafficking ) Act 1996 at Longford Garda station .

Gardaí also seized weighing scales, fans and lamps associated with the sale and supply of drugs from the house. Photograph: An Garda Síochána
Gardaí have located a cannabis grow house in Ballymahon, Co Longford, and seized more than €130,000 worth of cannabis plants on Thursday afternoon.
Officers attached to the divisional drugs unit in Longford/Roscommon Division made the find shortly before 2pm when they executed a search warrant.
Gardaí also seized weighing scales, fans and lamps associated with the sale and supply of drugs from the house.
One man in his 20s has been arrested and is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Longford Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-05-28--Dublin Bus warns economy will not return to normal if two-metre rule continues

Dublin Bus chief executive Ray Coyne has warned that the company ’ s fleet will not be able to operate if two-metre social distancing has to be observed .
Mr Coyne said the two-metre rule would mean buses could only carry 30 per cent of previous numbers .
A double-decker bus can hold 90 people if all seats are taken and customers are standing .
Under the two-metre rule , just 17 people are able to use a double-decker ; that capacity almost doubles to 31 people if minimum social distancing is reduced to one metre .
He warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to normal until public transport is functioning properly .
Mr Coyne told the Currency ’ s Tom Lyons : “ There is no single solution but we are probably going to have to move down to one metre , increased capacity , and introduce flexible working hours.
” “ Some people will have to work from home , some days .
There is a whole ecosystem to get the economy back and public transport will be front and centre in doing that.
” Employers may have to introduce flexible working hours if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of limited public transport capacity , he suggested .
He pointed out that other cities had moved to a graduated approach to 80 per cent occupancy levels .
On an average day Dublin Bus caters for 440,000 passenger journeys .
That dropped off to 50,000 people a day during the lockdown and has increased to just under 100,000 people since some restrictions were lifted .
He said the company will need a subvention “ north of €200 million ” to compensate for its losses this year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent .
“ From the start of Covid-19 we started to reduce our service levels to reflect the new reality , ” he told the Currency .
“ We dropped it to 82 per cent .
At the same time , we brought in a number of cost efficiency measures from week one.
” Mr Coyne revealed that none of the Dublin Bus drivers were infected by Covid-19 though 200 staff did have to self-isolate for a variety of reasons .
That figure has since been reduced to 50 people .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its city centre canteen .
Its drivers are in a cab and do not have interaction with passengers , he pointed out .
“ They are in a cab that is effectively enclosed .
Our employees are in a safe environment .
Cab areas are cleaned a minimum of twice a day .
”

Social distancing measures on Dublin Bus. The company’s chief executive said the two-metre rule will not allow public transport to function normally. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Dublin Bus chief executive Ray Coyne has warned that the company's fleet will not be able to operate if two-metre social distancing has to be observed.
Mr Coyne said the two-metre rule would mean buses could only carry 30 per cent of previous numbers.
A double-decker bus can hold 90 people if all seats are taken and customers are standing.
Under the two-metre rule, just 17 people are able to use a double-decker; that capacity almost doubles to 31 people if minimum social distancing is reduced to one metre.
READ MORE
He warned that the economy will not be able to return to normal until public transport is functioning properly.
Mr Coyne told the Currency's Tom Lyons: "There is no single solution but we are probably going to have to move down to one metre, increased capacity, and introduce flexible working hours."
“Some people will have to work from home, some days. There is a whole ecosystem to get the economy back and public transport will be front and centre in doing that.”
Employers may have to introduce flexible working hours if staff are to be able to avail of limited public transport capacity, he suggested.
He pointed out that other cities had moved to a graduated approach to 80 per cent occupancy levels.
On an average day Dublin Bus caters for 440,000 passenger journeys. That dropped off to 50,000 people a day during the lockdown and has increased to just under 100,000 people since some restrictions were lifted.
Revenue loss
He said the company will need a subvention “north of €200 million” to compensate for its losses this year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Income has dropped by 90 per cent.
“From the start of Covid-19 we started to reduce our service levels to reflect the new reality,” he told the Currency.
“We dropped it to 82 per cent. At the same time, we brought in a number of cost efficiency measures from week one.”
Mr Coyne revealed that none of the Dublin Bus drivers were infected by Covid-19 though 200 staff did have to self-isolate for a variety of reasons. That figure has since been reduced to 50 people.
The company installed perspex screen dividers on tables within its city centre canteen.
Its drivers are in a cab and do not have interaction with passengers, he pointed out.
“They are in a cab that is effectively enclosed. Our employees are in a safe environment. Cab areas are cleaned a minimum of twice a day.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-28--Maternity leave exclusion from wage scheme could breach EU law, rights body says

The continued exclusion of women returning to work after maternity leave , from the Government ’ s temporary wage subsidy scheme , could put Ireland in breach of European law , human rights watchdog IHREC has warned .
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has written to Minister for Public Expenditure Pascal Donohoe expressing its “ concern ” that the scheme gives “ less favourable treatment ” to these women than other workers .
Acting chief commissioner , Frank Conaty said the commission had examined the legality of the scheme “ and found there is a strong argument the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the scheme is discriminatory under EU Law.
” The Covid-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme subsidises the pay of workers in companies where the pandemic has caused loss of turnover of at least 25 per cent .
Women returning from maternity leave where the employer did not ’ top-up ’ the statutory rate , and who were not on the payroll in January and February , are unable to access the subsidy .
On Thursday Minister Donohoe told the Dáil he would bring a proposal to cabinet on Friday to address it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy , must be “ re-imagined with a feminist agenda ” after the pandemic , a webinar hosted by the National Women ’ s Council of Ireland ( NWCI ) heard on Thursday .
The second in a series of NWCI webinars on Covid-19 , it heard calls for the incomes of top earners to be reduced by 20 per cent , and for this to be used to better-pay essential workers .
Speaker Ebun Joseph , member of the social justice faculty at UCD , said the pandemic had “ redefined what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include ] carers , cleaners , Tesco workers ” .
Women must “ demand pay transparency ” she said and “ women ’ s work must be revalued ” .
“ A simple thing we can do , take 20 per cent from our top earners and pay those who are lower paid pay them better , pay our care-assistants better .
Take 20 per cent from the professors and consultants to increase the pay of those who are at the bottom of the ladder.
” Dr Mary Murphy , associate professor at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the crisis had exposed “ the absence of [ adequate public ] care and public services…That is not an accident .
That is a direct outcome from Ireland ’ s political economy model ” .
While 1.2 million people were in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment or wage subsidy scheme , when other adults like lone parents , carers and others reliant on welfare were included , that figure was 1.8 million , said Dr Murphy .
“ They are the women who are not being discussed , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a feminist post-Covid society .
She called for high quality “ universal basic services ” complemented by a “ universal participatory income ” for all adults .
“ I do believe that quality public services and a decent participation income would give us the floor from which we could all participate in the labour market and combine work with care in ways that suit us over our life cycles.
” Diane Elson , Professor Emerita of Sociology at the University of Essex , said she was “ really worried ” gender equality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis as women had taken on the majority of additional unpaid care work , such as home-schooling , during it .
Many of the jobs in tourism and hospitality - predominantly held by women - would not return .
Government must invest in more and better public service jobs .
“ We need to make care jobs much better .
We need to raise the pay in the jobs where women are concentrated.
” This could be afforded through borrowing and higher taxes .
The return would be on better services and @ @ @ @ @ @

The continued exclusion of women returning to work after maternity leave, from the Government's temporary wage subsidy scheme, could put Ireland in breach of European law, human rights watchdog IHREC has warned.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has written to Minister for Public Expenditure Pascal Donohoe expressing its "concern" that the scheme gives "less favourable treatment" to these women than other workers.
Acting chief commissioner, Frank Conaty said the commission had examined the legality of the scheme "and found there is a strong argument the exclusion of women returning from maternity leave from the scheme is discriminatory under EU Law."
The Covid-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme subsidises the pay of workers in companies where the pandemic has caused loss of turnover of at least 25 per cent.
READ MORE
Women returning from maternity leave where the employer did not ’top-up’ the statutory rate, and who were not on the payroll in January and February, are unable to access the subsidy. On Thursday Minister Donohoe told the Dáil he would bring a proposal to cabinet on Friday to address it.
The whole welfare system, and the economy, must be “re-imagined with a feminist agenda” after the pandemic, a webinar hosted by the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) heard on Thursday.
The second in a series of NWCI webinars on Covid-19, it heard calls for the incomes of top earners to be reduced by 20 per cent, and for this to be used to better-pay essential workers.
Speaker Ebun Joseph, member of the social justice faculty at UCD, said the pandemic had "redefined what we call essential workers [and they include] carers, cleaners, Tesco workers".
Women must “demand pay transparency” she said and “women’s work must be revalued”.
“A simple thing we can do, take 20 per cent from our top earners and pay those who are lower paid pay them better, pay our care-assistants better. Take 20 per cent from the professors and consultants to increase the pay of those who are at the bottom of the ladder.”
Dr Mary Murphy, associate professor at the social science institute in Maynooth University, said the crisis had exposed "the absence of [adequate public] care and public services…That is not an accident. That is a direct outcome from Ireland's political economy model".
While 1.2 million people were in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment or wage subsidy scheme, when other adults like lone parents, carers and others reliant on welfare were included, that figure was 1.8 million, said Dr Murphy.
“They are the women who are not being discussed,” she said and they must be in discussions about a feminist post-Covid society.
She called for high quality “universal basic services” complemented by a “universal participatory income” for all adults.
“I do believe that quality public services and a decent participation income would give us the floor from which we could all participate in the labour market and combine work with care in ways that suit us over our life cycles.”
Diane Elson, Professor Emerita of Sociology at the University of Essex, said she was "really worried" gender equality may be "set back" after the crisis as women had taken on the majority of additional unpaid care work, such as home-schooling, during it.
Many of the jobs in tourism and hospitality - predominantly held by women - would not return. Government must invest in more and better public service jobs.
“We need to make care jobs much better. We need to raise the pay in the jobs where women are concentrated.” This could be afforded through borrowing and higher taxes. The return would be on better services and more women in well-paid jobs.


theirishtimes--2020-05-28--Airport arrivals on quarantining: ‘Fourteen days for me is fine. There’s an end date’

Pushing her luggage trolley through a near-abandoned Dublin Airport terminal on Thursday afternoon , Clara Hughes had become one of the first arrivals legally obliged to notify the State of her whereabouts for the next two weeks .
But like most of the passengers trickling through the arrivals hall towards mandatory quarantine , the 26-year-old student is not put out .
Arriving home was far more important than worrying about this sudden , unfamiliar State surveillance .
“ Honestly I actually don ’ t have a problem with it .
I am someone who values privacy , however in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in terms of looking after yourself , your family , ” she says .
“ Fourteen days for me is fine , there ’ s an end date.
” Filling out forms telling the authorities where you are going to be for your self-imposed isolation after arriving in the country is not new .
It has been in place for weeks .
What is new is that , since Thursday , it is the law .
Anyone who refuses or submits false information can face a fine of up to €2,500 or six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your typical céad míle fáilte , but these are not typical times .
There is a sense that travellers are buying into the effort .
Passengers are asked to fill out the forms on the plane or in a designated area before clearing passport control .
No one we spoke to noticed any conspicuous objections from fellow travellers on sparsely occupied aircraft .
Clara pushes her trolley back into the “ ghost town ” airport she arrived in .
In the terminal a few – mainly masked – passengers come and go .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been replaced by the drills of builders renovating the hall .
Traffic has been decimated .
Many of the handful of passenger flights – there were eight between 3pm and 9.30pm on Thursday and two were internal – arrive early and those on board scatter quickly .
On the glass gangway connecting the arrival halls , Oisín Green is philosophical about the need to sign over details of his personal movements .
He fills out the form obediently , even though as a freight pilot he regularly passes through the airport .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as officials pored over people ’ s declarations but everyone seemed happy enough .
Does he mind the intrusion ?
“ Absolutely not .
I have got four kids at home and elderly parents .
My mother is 86.
” He speaks comfortably through the face mask he has become accustomed to .
“ It makes perfect sense to me .
.
.
everyone I think understands there is a reason behind it .
Everyone is affected , it ’ s not just Ireland .
Particularly if you are abroad you see it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward the exit door having just returned from New Zealand , a country widely praised for its approach to handling the outbreak .
He too wears a face mask and is not remotely concerned by the upgrade in rules around arrivals .
“ That ’ s how the virus is coming in , ” he says nonplussed .
“ I would just go with the flow , there is no point going against it.
” In Terminal 2 arrivals , a young foreign diplomat hugs his Irish girlfriend .
He has been based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before separating earlier this year , the couple spent a month in quarantine in the city .
He had to be tested to come through China and was negative , he says .
“ I don ’ t really mind two weeks of quarantine in the grand scheme , ” he reflects .
“ I think in the more developed world people place quite a bit of faith in the people who run the country .
I ’ m happy to go along .
We live in an exceptionally free world , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worries .
”

Cork student Clara Hughes: Arriving home at Dublin Airport, she is not concerned about new laws requiring people to tell the State where they will be for two weeks of quarantine. Photograph: Mark Hilliard
Pushing her luggage trolley through a near-abandoned Dublin Airport terminal on Thursday afternoon, Clara Hughes had become one of the first arrivals legally obliged to notify the State of her whereabouts for the next two weeks.
But like most of the passengers trickling through the arrivals hall towards mandatory quarantine, the 26-year-old student is not put out. Arriving home was far more important than worrying about this sudden, unfamiliar State surveillance.
“Honestly I actually don’t have a problem with it. I am someone who values privacy, however in this case I kind of like the idea in terms of looking after yourself, your family,” she says.
“Fourteen days for me is fine, there’s an end date.”
READ MORE
Filling out forms telling the authorities where you are going to be for your self-imposed isolation after arriving in the country is not new. It has been in place for weeks. What is new is that, since Thursday, it is the law.
Anyone who refuses or submits false information can face a fine of up to €2,500 or six months in prison. It is not your typical céad míle fáilte, but these are not typical times.
No objections
There is a sense that travellers are buying into the effort. Passengers are asked to fill out the forms on the plane or in a designated area before clearing passport control. No one we spoke to noticed any conspicuous objections from fellow travellers on sparsely occupied aircraft.
Clara pushes her trolley back into the “ghost town” airport she arrived in. In the terminal a few – mainly masked – passengers come and go. The familiar sound of jet engines has been replaced by the drills of builders renovating the hall.
Traffic has been decimated. Many of the handful of passenger flights – there were eight between 3pm and 9.30pm on Thursday and two were internal – arrive early and those on board scatter quickly.
People in face masks in Terminal 2 of Dublin Airport. Those arriving must alert the authorities as to where they will be self-isolating. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
On the glass gangway connecting the arrival halls, Oisín Green is philosophical about the need to sign over details of his personal movements. He fills out the form obediently, even though as a freight pilot he regularly passes through the airport.
He noticed a slight delay at passport control as officials pored over people’s declarations but everyone seemed happy enough. Does he mind the intrusion?
“Absolutely not. I have got four kids at home and elderly parents. My mother is 86.”
‘Go with flow’
He speaks comfortably through the face mask he has become accustomed to.
"It makes perfect sense to me . . . everyone I think understands there is a reason behind it. Everyone is affected, it's not just Ireland. Particularly if you are abroad you see it."
Not far away, Michael walks toward the exit door having just returned from New Zealand, a country widely praised for its approach to handling the outbreak. He too wears a face mask and is not remotely concerned by the upgrade in rules around arrivals.
“That’s how the virus is coming in,” he says nonplussed. “I would just go with the flow, there is no point going against it.”
In Terminal 2 arrivals, a young foreign diplomat hugs his Irish girlfriend. He has been based in Pyongyang in North Korea and, before separating earlier this year, the couple spent a month in quarantine in the city.
He had to be tested to come through China and was negative, he says. "I don't really mind two weeks of quarantine in the grand scheme," he reflects. "I think in the more developed world people place quite a bit of faith in the people who run the country. I'm happy to go along. We live in an exceptionally free world, we are very fortunate. I have no worries."


theirishtimes--2020-05-28--Troubles victims’ group calls for inquiry into 1970 Arms Crisis

A group representing victims and survivors of the Troubles has called on the Irish government to carry out an independent inquiry into the 1970 Arms Crisis on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the resultant trial .
The director of services with the South East Fermanagh Foundation ( SEFF ) , Kenny Donaldson , said there need to be a “ fresh and independent review ” into the events surrounding the crisis .
Unionist politicians also called on the Republic to give a full account of its role during the Troubles .
The Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it merits ” and it “ has come to be regarded as the equivalent of a passive bystander.
” This was “ far from the case , ” he said , adding that “ if there is ever to be a serious examination of the Troubles and the legacy they have left , then there needs to be an honest assessment and acknowledgement of the role played by the Republic.
” The State , he said , “ played a central role in the Troubles and this needs to be both highlighted and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full understanding of what really happened during those dark times.
” The Government has been contacted for comment .
Future taoiseach Charles Haughey and senior government minister Niall Blaney – who had both been sacked from the cabinet over allegations of involvement in the illegal importation of arms to defend nationalist communities in the North – and three others went on trial in Dublin on May 28th , 1970 .
They were accused of conspiring to import weapons to arm the Provisional IRA .
The charges against Mr Blaney were dropped ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the others were acquitted in a second trial .
Mr Donaldson said the trial had been a “ whitewash ” and there were outstanding questions over the State ’ s role .
“ Weaponry procured via the arms shipments , whilst destined northwards , is also believed to have fallen into the hands of individuals operating in tandem with subversives , leading to murders such as Garda Richard Fallon , ” he said .
Garda Fallon was shot dead in April 1970 by bank robbers – believed to be members of republican splinter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to escape after raiding a bank on Arran Quay in Dublin .
He was the first member of An Garda Síochána to die as a result of the Troubles .
“ Fifty years on the government of 2020 in the Republic of Ireland needs to finally step up to the plate on these issues , ” Mr Donaldson said .
The DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the events of the arms crisis had been “ just one part of the support at many levels for the Provisional IRA from the Republic , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that group to wage its campaign of terror and murder .
“ It ’ s time for Dublin to accept the role it played in fomenting and sustaining Provisional IRA terrorism and take steps to help bring closure to those affected , ” he said .
The Traditional Unionist Voice leader , Jim Allister , said the State had acted as a “ safe haven for republican terrorists ” and this was a “ shameful history which has been overlooked and ignored for much too long .
“ Unless it is faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open its files we will never know the truth of the role successive Irish governments played in supporting and facilitating the republican terror campaign , ” he said .

Gerry Jones, Neil Blaney and John Kelly (right) during the Arms Trial in Dublin in 1970
A group representing victims and survivors of the Troubles has called on the Irish government to carry out an independent inquiry into the 1970 Arms Crisis on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the resultant trial.
The director of services with the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), Kenny Donaldson, said there need to be a "fresh and independent review" into the events surrounding the crisis.
Unionist politicians also called on the Republic to give a full account of its role during the Troubles.
The Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said this "has never received the scrutiny it merits" and it "has come to be regarded as the equivalent of a passive bystander."
READ MORE
This was “far from the case,” he said, adding that “if there is ever to be a serious examination of the Troubles and the legacy they have left, then there needs to be an honest assessment and acknowledgement of the role played by the Republic.”
The State, he said, “played a central role in the Troubles and this needs to be both highlighted and acknowledged if we are to have a full understanding of what really happened during those dark times.”
The Government has been contacted for comment.
Future taoiseach Charles Haughey and senior government minister Niall Blaney – who had both been sacked from the cabinet over allegations of involvement in the illegal importation of arms to defend nationalist communities in the North – and three others went on trial in Dublin on May 28th, 1970.
They were accused of conspiring to import weapons to arm the Provisional IRA. The charges against Mr Blaney were dropped; the first trial collapsed and Mr Haughey and the others were acquitted in a second trial.
Mr Donaldson said the trial had been a “whitewash” and there were outstanding questions over the State’s role.
"Weaponry procured via the arms shipments, whilst destined northwards, is also believed to have fallen into the hands of individuals operating in tandem with subversives, leading to murders such as Garda Richard Fallon, " he said.
Garda Fallon was shot dead in April 1970 by bank robbers – believed to be members of republican splinter group Saor Éire – who were trying to escape after raiding a bank on Arran Quay in Dublin. He was the first member of An Garda Síochána to die as a result of the Troubles.
"Fifty years on the government of 2020 in the Republic of Ireland needs to finally step up to the plate on these issues," Mr Donaldson said.
‘Shameful history’
The DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the events of the arms crisis had been "just one part of the support at many levels for the Provisional IRA from the Republic, without which, it would have been impossible for that group to wage its campaign of terror and murder.
“It’s time for Dublin to accept the role it played in fomenting and sustaining Provisional IRA terrorism and take steps to help bring closure to those affected,” he said.
The Traditional Unionist Voice leader, Jim Allister, said the State had acted as a "safe haven for republican terrorists" and this was a "shameful history which has been overlooked and ignored for much too long.
“Unless it is faced up to and Dublin is forced to open its files we will never know the truth of the role successive Irish governments played in supporting and facilitating the republican terror campaign,” he said.