theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Student nurses and midwives are being exploited says union

Student nurses and midwives are being exploited during the Covid-19 pandemic , the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has claimed .
It said on Friday that students on placements in hospitals across Ireland were facing additional Covid risks but were “ effectively being asked to work as staff for no pay ” .
It said a HSE scheme to pay students on healthcare assistant salaries was put in place at the start of the pandemic in March , but was no longer operating .
The INMO said it held talks with Department of Health officials on Friday but no progress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ INMO urged that the payment provided in March should be re-introduced immediately and for student allowances to be increased substantially .
“ Our students are being taken for granted .
They are facing huge workloads and risking Covid infection .
And while they are doing indispensable work , they are getting no financial recognition for their efforts.
” The union said students had also faced income loss , as they were no longer able to work part time as care assistants while studying , due to the infection risk of working in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hospital .
It said before their final year internship , most student nurses and midwives received either nothing or an allowance of just €50.79 per week .
The Department of Health said it was currently engaging with trade unions on proposals for a revision of student nurse allowances in the short term .
“ Given the impacts of Covid-19 on Student Nurse Placements , the department supports a revision of these allowances and expects to conclude this revision in the coming days .
The revision will also include measures that protect student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present time.
” Separately , the country ’ s largest trade union Siptu said on Friday that while Covid-19 and its budgetary and other implications had “ clearly challenged the landscape ” , this did not mean it would accept any proposed new public service pay agreement that did not deliver for members .
Siptu deputy general secretary John King told over 200 public service delegates at an online conference that any new agreement must “ rid itself of the vestiges of the past , it can not be rooted in the language @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope and a vision of public service that is about investment , development , progression and fair reward for the contribution that is made by public servants.
” “ A new agreement must rid itself of the regressive measures that reduced the earnings potential of public servants , and it must hold and advance the existing service delivery options to protect , grow and develop public service jobs and employment opportunities .
It must present opportunities for public service workers to explore the reform of the workplace that has happened since Covid-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in a healthy , family friendly , ergonomic and productive manner.
” The current public service agreement will expire at the end of the year .

INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said student nurses are taken for granted. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw for The Irish Times
Student nurses and midwives are being exploited during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has claimed.
It said on Friday that students on placements in hospitals across Ireland were facing additional Covid risks but were "effectively being asked to work as staff for no pay".
It said a HSE scheme to pay students on healthcare assistant salaries was put in place at the start of the pandemic in March, but was no longer operating.
The INMO said it held talks with Department of Health officials on Friday but no progress was made on the issue.
READ MORE
The INMO urged that the payment provided in March should be re-introduced immediately and for student allowances to be increased substantially.
INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha, said:
“Our students are being taken for granted. They are facing huge workloads and risking Covid infection. And while they are doing indispensable work, they are getting no financial recognition for their efforts.”
The union said students had also faced income loss, as they were no longer able to work part time as care assistants while studying, due to the infection risk of working in a care home while also on placement in a hospital.
It said before their final year internship, most student nurses and midwives received either nothing or an allowance of just €50.79 per week.
The Department of Health said it was currently engaging with trade unions on proposals for a revision of student nurse allowances in the short term.
“Given the impacts of Covid-19 on Student Nurse Placements, the department supports a revision of these allowances and expects to conclude this revision in the coming days. The revision will also include measures that protect student nurse education and welfare during at the present time.”
Pay agreement
Separately, the country's largest trade union Siptu said on Friday that while Covid-19 and its budgetary and other implications had "clearly challenged the landscape", this did not mean it would accept any proposed new public service pay agreement that did not deliver for members.
Siptu deputy general secretary John King told over 200 public service delegates at an online conference that any new agreement must "rid itself of the vestiges of the past, it cannot be rooted in the language of continued austerity, it must offer hope and a vision of public service that is about investment, development, progression and fair reward for the contribution that is made by public servants."
“ A new agreement must rid itself of the regressive measures that reduced the earnings potential of public servants, and it must hold and advance the existing service delivery options to protect, grow and develop public service jobs and employment opportunities. It must present opportunities for public service workers to explore the reform of the workplace that has happened since Covid-19, in a way that works for them, in a healthy, family friendly, ergonomic and productive manner.”
The current public service agreement will expire at the end of the year.


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Call for intensive effort to set sectoral limits on emissions

The scale of effort required to bring in Ireland ’ s first climate budget should not be underestimated if it is to be fit for purpose and begin a process of decarbonising Ireland , according to Prof John FitzGerald .
If climate budgets were to work properly in introducing sectoral limits on emissions across the economy , an intensive research effort over a year was necessary , the chairman of the Climate Change Advisory Council ( CCAC ) told the 2020 Environment Ireland conference .
In the UK , this required the input of 20 to 30 experts , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first budget in place next year , but he believed early 2022 was a more realistic target .
The extent to which the EU was embracing climate action could be a game-changer , Prof Fitzgerald believed , but he was nervous its proposals would not get through .
While there was an indication Ireland was stepping up climate ambition in the programme for government , “ it is not clear what new actions are envisaged ” .
On agriculture , Prof FitzGerald said reducing emissions while enhancing farmer incomes was realisable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incentivise farmers to decarbonise and they should be rewarded for capturing CO2 in woodland .
While methane arising from farming was short-lived , “ a substantial reduction would make a big difference on global warming ” .
On retrofitting , he suggested prioritising houses using coal and peat as this would provide an early win in decarbonising Ireland .
While increased electrification would play a big role , he favoured using hydrogen , especially with heavy goods transport , and deploying unused wind energy to manufacture the fuel .
People living in rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of electric vehicles , he said , but supporting infrastructure had to be in place .
A marketplace shift would be indicated when there was widespread availability of second-hand EVs .
Friends of the Earth director Oisín Coghlan said a lot of progress was made in recent years .
“ We have done a lot of the groundwork , but [ Irish ] emissions are actually still increasing.
” There were good plans before ; now there was a structure in the Bill for implementation to meet the carbon budget and to embark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as big as the industrial revolution or the digital revolution of recent years ” .
For this to happen Ireland ’ s international focus on climate justice had to be extended to home by way of “ a societal project ” protecting affected workers and the most vulnerable .
How emissions reductions were to be achieved needed to be set out ; “ we can ’ t have the backloading of emissions reductions to the second half of this decade , ” he added .
Strengthening expertise on the CCAC was overdue ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We think it ’ s like having Nphet with no epidemiologists.
” Given climate change was already “ ravaging the world ” , he wished to borrow an Irish expression and ask : “ Is there any hope on climate change , or are we just fecked ?
” Activist Greta Thunberg had provided the answer , he noted , when aged 15 she said the one thing needed more than hope was action , and “ once we start to act , hope is everywhere ” .
The need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inevitable climate disruption was underlined by Prof Conor Murphy of Maynooth University .
Focusing on reducing emissions – mitigation – with insufficient attention to adaptation could result in far-reaching impacts on landscape , including loss of place and solace .
In Ireland this would be a consequence of more intense storms , increased flooding , more drought and sea level rise .
As a consequence adaptation was more than an engineering issue : impact on local environments and the whole of society needed to be factored in .
He cited the example of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remembered from his childhood .
It has been lost due to climate change .

“We can’t have the backloading of emissions reductions to the second half of this decade.” Photograph: Getty Images
The scale of effort required to bring in Ireland's first climate budget should not be underestimated if it is to be fit for purpose and begin a process of decarbonising Ireland, according to Prof John FitzGerald.
If climate budgets were to work properly in introducing sectoral limits on emissions across the economy, an intensive research effort over a year was necessary, the chairman of the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) told the 2020 Environment Ireland conference. In the UK, this required the input of 20 to 30 experts, he noted.
The Government plans to have the first budget in place next year, but he believed early 2022 was a more realistic target.
The extent to which the EU was embracing climate action could be a game-changer, Prof Fitzgerald believed, but he was nervous its proposals would not get through.
READ MORE
While there was an indication Ireland was stepping up climate ambition in the programme for government, “it is not clear what new actions are envisaged”.
On agriculture, Prof FitzGerald said reducing emissions while enhancing farmer incomes was realisable, but Common Agricultural Policy reforms needed to incentivise farmers to decarbonise and they should be rewarded for capturing CO2 in woodland.
While methane arising from farming was short-lived, “a substantial reduction would make a big difference on global warming”.
On retrofitting, he suggested prioritising houses using coal and peat as this would provide an early win in decarbonising Ireland.
While increased electrification would play a big role, he favoured using hydrogen, especially with heavy goods transport, and deploying unused wind energy to manufacture the fuel.
People living in rural areas would benefit most from the rollout of electric vehicles, he said, but supporting infrastructure had to be in place. A marketplace shift would be indicated when there was widespread availability of second-hand EVs.
Groundwork
Friends of the Earth director Oisín Coghlan said a lot of progress was made in recent years. “We have done a lot of the groundwork, but [Irish] emissions are actually still increasing.”
There were good plans before; now there was a structure in the Bill for implementation to meet the carbon budget and to embark on a revolution that will be “as big as the industrial revolution or the digital revolution of recent years”.
For this to happen Ireland’s international focus on climate justice had to be extended to home by way of “a societal project” protecting affected workers and the most vulnerable.
How emissions reductions were to be achieved needed to be set out; “we can’t have the backloading of emissions reductions to the second half of this decade,” he added.
Strengthening expertise on the CCAC was overdue; the absence of climate scientists was notable. “We think it’s like having Nphet with no epidemiologists.”
Given climate change was already “ravaging the world”, he wished to borrow an Irish expression and ask: “Is there any hope on climate change, or are we just fecked?”
Activist Greta Thunberg had provided the answer, he noted, when aged 15 she said the one thing needed more than hope was action, and "once we start to act, hope is everywhere" .
Disruption
The need to make places and communities climate-resilient to withstand inevitable climate disruption was underlined by Prof Conor Murphy of Maynooth University.
Focusing on reducing emissions – mitigation – with insufficient attention to adaptation could result in far-reaching impacts on landscape, including loss of place and solace. In Ireland this would be a consequence of more intense storms, increased flooding, more drought and sea level rise.
As a consequence adaptation was more than an engineering issue: impact on local environments and the whole of society needed to be factored in.
He cited the example of the Courtown beach in Co Wexford he remembered from his childhood. It has been lost due to climate change.


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Man charged in connection with attacks on six women in Belfast

A 38-year-old man has been charged in connection with attacks on six women in Belfast on Monday .
The charges @ @ @ @ @ occasioning actual bodily harm , attempted grievous bodily harm with intent , and possession of @ @ @ @ @ is due to appear in court in Belfast on Saturday morning .
Two women were @ @ @ @ @ by a cyclist in the city centre and south Belfast areas between about 7.45pm and @ @ @ @ @ of the victims received hospital treatment for puncture injuries , which were not life-threatening .

Four of the victims received hospital treatment for puncture injuries, which were not life-threatening, the PSNI said.
A 38-year-old man has been charged in connection with attacks on six women in Belfast on Monday.
The charges include five counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon.
He is due to appear in court in Belfast on Saturday morning.
Two women were punched and four were stabbed by a cyclist in the city centre and south Belfast areas between about 7.45pm and 9pm on Monday.
READ MORE
Four of the victims received hospital treatment for puncture injuries, which were not life-threatening.


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--North records highest daily total of Covid-19 cases

Northern Ireland recorded its highest daily total of new Covid-19 cases on Friday ahead of the introduction of new restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the virus .
According to the North ’ s Department of Health , 1,299 people tested positive for the virus in the 24 hours to Friday .
These included 315 new cases in Belfast , and 258 in Derry and Strabane .
Two more coronavirus-related deaths were reported , bringing the number of fatalities recorded by the department to 608 .
Pubs , restaurants and cafes throughout Northern Ireland closed from 6pm on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for schools has been extended to two weeks , shutting schools until November 2nd .
The leaders of the five parties in the Northern Executive – the DUP , Sinn Féin , SDLP , Ulster Unionists and Alliance – issued a joint statement on Friday evening appealing for everyone in Northern Ireland to abide by the restrictions and to follow the public health guidance .
“ We have four weeks to turn this around and we ’ re appealing to everyone to please get behind this effort to fight back against Covid-19 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It followed a surprise intervention earlier on Friday by the North ’ s Minister for Agriculture , the DUP ’ s Edwin Poots , who said he had “ grave reservations ” about the new restrictions and claimed his party had been overruled at an Executive meeting earlier this week .
“ We are in a minority on the Executive , we stated our case but it ’ s very evident that all of the other parties were prepared to go with this , and therefore that is the outcome , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This was rejected by other parties on the Executive , with the Ulster Unionist leader , Steve Aiken , accusing Mr Poots of undermining the public health message “ at a time when the Executive is making the most important decisions that it will ever take in its lifetime ” .
He said the restrictions had been brought to the Executive as a paper from the First and Deputy First Ministers , agreed at an Executive meeting where the DUP could have used a veto , and were brought to the Assembly by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arlene Foster .
“ If Edwin Poots feels so strongly in now opposing previously unanimous Executive decisions which his party endorsed , then he should do the honourable thing and consider his position as an Executive Minister , ” Mr Aiken said .
The Minister for Justice and Alliance Party leader , Naomi Long , told the BBC the regulations had been agreed by the whole Executive .
“ No one voted against those regulations , no one was opposed to what we were doing , and however uncomfortable those decisions are I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take them , but more than that we need to be willing to work together to defend them [ and ] to encourage people to comply with those decisions , ” she said .
The SDLP leader , Colum Eastwood , called on Ms Foster to “ rein in ” Mr Poots “ immediately before he does any further damage to the public health messaging ” .
The restrictions , he said , were “ uncomfortable for all of us but to turn on Executive colleagues in public is incredible in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the same interview that the North ’ s chief medical officer , Dr Michael McBride , had told him privately that the areas where the virus had spread were “ very identifiable ” and this was linked to sport and post-match celebrations .
“ There ’ s certainly an issue around sport , ” Mr Poots said .
“ I know of one event where people went to a bar after winning a particular cup , passed the cup around the bar full of drink , and most of them actually caught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the GAA , Mr Poots said he would “ leave it to others to do that , I ’ m not picking on a organisation , but there are certainly those who have engaged in very poor behaviour over the course of the summer months which has helped exacerbate this problem ” .
Challenged by the presenter , William Crawley , that “ a lot of people will be joining the dots ” and would feel “ that you ’ re criticising the GAA community today ” , Mr Poots responded that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of people , but if people feel the cap fits , that ’ s up to them ” .
“ There has been significant spread that has taken place and it ’ s taken place in particular areas and a lot of people are asking the question , why is that the case , ” he said , adding that it was “ for people to draw their own conclusions ” .
Separately , seven coronavirus-related deaths took place in the North in the week ending October 9th , according to figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Statistics and Research Agency ( Nisra ) .
It brings the total number of such fatalities recorded by Nisra to 915 , over 300 more than the 587 recorded by the North ’ s Department of Health in the same period .
The Nisra figures are higher than those recorded in the daily statistics released by the department , which focus primarily on hospital deaths and include only people who have tested positive for Covid-19 .
Nisra includes all deaths where coronavirus is mentioned on the death certificate , and the person may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
According to Nisra , the deaths of 437 care home residents were linked to coronavirus as of October 9th , with 81 of those deaths occurring in hospital .

The restrictions were brought to the Assembly by the First Minister, the DUP leader Arlene Foster. Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/ PA Wire
Northern Ireland recorded its highest daily total of new Covid-19 cases on Friday ahead of the introduction of new restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the virus.
According to the North's Department of Health, 1,299 people tested positive for the virus in the 24 hours to Friday. These included 315 new cases in Belfast, and 258 in Derry and Strabane.
Two more coronavirus-related deaths were reported, bringing the number of fatalities recorded by the department to 608.
Pubs, restaurants and cafes throughout Northern Ireland closed from 6pm on Friday for four weeks. The half-term holiday for schools has been extended to two weeks, shutting schools until November 2nd.
READ MORE
The leaders of the five parties in the Northern Executive – the DUP, Sinn Féin, SDLP, Ulster Unionists and Alliance – issued a joint statement on Friday evening appealing for everyone in Northern Ireland to abide by the restrictions and to follow the public health guidance.
“We have four weeks to turn this around and we’re appealing to everyone to please get behind this effort to fight back against Covid-19 and save lives,” they said.
It followed a surprise intervention earlier on Friday by the North's Minister for Agriculture, the DUP's Edwin Poots, who said he had "grave reservations" about the new restrictions and claimed his party had been overruled at an Executive meeting earlier this week.
“We are in a minority on the Executive, we stated our case but it’s very evident that all of the other parties were prepared to go with this, and therefore that is the outcome,” he told BBC’s Talkback programme.
Undermining behaviour
This was rejected by other parties on the Executive, with the Ulster Unionist leader, Steve Aiken, accusing Mr Poots of undermining the public health message "at a time when the Executive is making the most important decisions that it will ever take in its lifetime".
He said the restrictions had been brought to the Executive as a paper from the First and Deputy First Ministers, agreed at an Executive meeting where the DUP could have used a veto, and were brought to the Assembly by the First Minister, the DUP leader Arlene Foster.
“If Edwin Poots feels so strongly in now opposing previously unanimous Executive decisions which his party endorsed, then he should do the honourable thing and consider his position as an Executive Minister,” Mr Aiken said.
The Minister for Justice and Alliance Party leader, Naomi Long, told the BBC the regulations had been agreed by the whole Executive.
“No one voted against those regulations, no one was opposed to what we were doing, and however uncomfortable those decisions are I think we still need to be willing to take them, but more than that we need to be willing to work together to defend them [and] to encourage people to comply with those decisions,” she said.
The SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, called on Ms Foster to "rein in" Mr Poots "immediately before he does any further damage to the public health messaging".
The restrictions, he said, were “uncomfortable for all of us but to turn on Executive colleagues in public is incredible in the current circumstances”.
Sports link
Mr Poots claimed in the same interview that the North’s chief medical officer, Dr Michael McBride, had told him privately that the areas where the virus had spread were “very identifiable” and this was linked to sport and post-match celebrations.
“There’s certainly an issue around sport,” Mr Poots said. “I know of one event where people went to a bar after winning a particular cup, passed the cup around the bar full of drink, and most of them actually caught Covid.”
Asked if he was referring to the GAA, Mr Poots said he would “leave it to others to do that, I’m not picking on a organisation, but there are certainly those who have engaged in very poor behaviour over the course of the summer months which has helped exacerbate this problem”.
Challenged by the presenter, William Crawley, that "a lot of people will be joining the dots" and would feel "that you're criticising the GAA community today", Mr Poots responded that he was "not labelling one particular group of people, but if people feel the cap fits, that's up to them".
“There has been significant spread that has taken place and it’s taken place in particular areas and a lot of people are asking the question, why is that the case,” he said, adding that it was “for people to draw their own conclusions”.
Separately, seven coronavirus-related deaths took place in the North in the week ending October 9th, according to figures released on Friday by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra).
It brings the total number of such fatalities recorded by Nisra to 915, over 300 more than the 587 recorded by the North’s Department of Health in the same period.
The Nisra figures are higher than those recorded in the daily statistics released by the department, which focus primarily on hospital deaths and include only people who have tested positive for Covid-19.
Nisra includes all deaths where coronavirus is mentioned on the death certificate, and the person may or may not have tested positive for the virus.
According to Nisra, the deaths of 437 care home residents were linked to coronavirus as of October 9th, with 81 of those deaths occurring in hospital.


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Loyalist killer Michael Stone ‘squandered’ early release chance, court hears

Jailed loyalist killer Michael Stone “ squandered ” his one and only chance at an early release , the North ’ s Court of Appeal heard today .
Senior judges were told the Milltown Cemetery bomber is not entitled to any further opportunities after being sent back to prison for trying to murder Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and the late Martin McGuinness at Stormont .
The claims were made as a sister of one of Stone ’ s victims mounted a new legal bid to ensure he remains behind bars .
Deborah McGuinness is appealing a High Court ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) the right to consider his application to be freed early for a second time .
Although 65-year-old Stone was refused in September last year , the case centres on his ability to make further requests .
Counsel for Ms McGuinness insisted he should not be able to “ turn on and off the tap of violence ” .
Ronan Lavery QC argued : “ The prisoner squandered his benefit and under the terms of this exceptional scheme isn ’ t entitled to re-apply on multiple occasions.
” Ms McGuinness ’ s brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mourners Stone murdered in the attack on an IRA funeral at Milltown graveyard , west Belfast in March 1988 .
The former UDA man was also the gunman in three other killings .
He received a 30-year term for the sectarian murder campaign , but obtained an early release in 2000 under the Belfast Agreement .
Six years later , however , he was sent back to jail after trying to enter Parliament Buildings at Stormont , armed with explosives , knives and an axe , in a bid to kill Mr Adams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been an attempt to murder the politicians , instead claiming it was an act of performance art .
He must remain in jail in 2024 .
His application to the SRC for release again under the terms of the Belfast Agreement led to last year ’ s High Court battle .
A judge ruled the body has legal power to consider further applications after identifying no prohibition in the Northern Ireland ( Sentences ) Act 1998 .
Even though Commissioners then assessed and denied Stone ’ s request , Ms McGuinness ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe leaves him free to try again at any point .
“ It gives a licence to prisoners to turn on and off the tap of violence as it suits them , ” Mr Lavery contended .
“ They get out for a while , change their mind and commit further acts of violence , come back in ( and apply again ) .
The scheme can not possibly have meant that.
” Peter Coll QC , for the SRC , described the interpretation of the legislation as “ nonsensical and illogical ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be made if circumstances change or new material emerges , he submitted .
Mr Coll insisted the Commissioners ’ powers guard against “ vexatious or whimsical ” applications , adding that the appellant ’ s case could leave those who suffered a miscarriage of justice languishing in jail .
Backing those submissions , Stone ’ s barrister contended that the legislation does not limit the number of times a prisoner can seek to be let out David Scoffield QC maintained : “ The Act does allow us to have a second bite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the appeal , Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan pledged to give a decision as soon as possible .

Michael Stone was tackled by security officers as he entered Stormont in 2006. Photograph: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker
Jailed loyalist killer Michael Stone “squandered” his one and only chance at an early release, the North’s Court of Appeal heard today.
Senior judges were told the Milltown Cemetery bomber is not entitled to any further opportunities after being sent back to prison for trying to murder Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and the late Martin McGuinness at Stormont.
The claims were made as a sister of one of Stone’s victims mounted a new legal bid to ensure he remains behind bars.
Deborah McGuinness is appealing a High Court ruling that gave Sentence Review Commissioners (SRC) the right to consider his application to be freed early for a second time.
READ MORE
Although 65-year-old Stone was refused in September last year, the case centres on his ability to make further requests.
Counsel for Ms McGuinness insisted he should not be able to “turn on and off the tap of violence”.
Ronan Lavery QC argued: “The prisoner squandered his benefit and under the terms of this exceptional scheme isn’t entitled to re-apply on multiple occasions.”
Ms McGuinness’s brother, Thomas McErlean, was among three mourners Stone murdered in the attack on an IRA funeral at Milltown graveyard, west Belfast in March 1988. The former UDA man was also the gunman in three other killings.
He received a 30-year term for the sectarian murder campaign, but obtained an early release in 2000 under the Belfast Agreement.
Six years later, however, he was sent back to jail after trying to enter Parliament Buildings at Stormont, armed with explosives, knives and an axe, in a bid to kill Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness.
Stone denied it had been an attempt to murder the politicians, instead claiming it was an act of performance art.
He must remain in jail in 2024. His application to the SRC for release again under the terms of the Belfast Agreement led to last year’s High Court battle.
A judge ruled the body has legal power to consider further applications after identifying no prohibition in the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998.
Even though Commissioners then assessed and denied Stone’s request, Ms McGuinness’s lawyers are challenging a determination they believe leaves him free to try again at any point.
“It gives a licence to prisoners to turn on and off the tap of violence as it suits them,” Mr Lavery contended.
“They get out for a while, change their mind and commit further acts of violence, come back in (and apply again). The scheme cannot possibly have meant that.”
Peter Coll QC, for the SRC, described the interpretation of the legislation as “nonsensical and illogical”.
The intention was for successive applications to be made if circumstances change or new material emerges, he submitted.
Mr Coll insisted the Commissioners’ powers guard against “vexatious or whimsical” applications, adding that the appellant’s case could leave those who suffered a miscarriage of justice languishing in jail.
Backing those submissions, Stone’s barrister contended that the legislation does not limit the number of times a prisoner can seek to be let out David Scoffield QC maintained: “The Act does allow us to have a second bite of the cherry.” Reserving judgment in the appeal, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan pledged to give a decision as soon as possible.


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--HSE proposes taking over 40% of activity in private hospitals

The HSE is seeking to take over up to 40 per cent of activity in private hospitals , potentially for two years , to deal with further surges in Covid-19 cases .
Under its proposals the HSE is seeking private hospital facilities to provide “ time-dependent ” complex medical and surgical treatment for public patients in a non-Covid environment .
However , in some cases patients with Covid-19 would be treated in private hospitals .
The HSE said on Friday it was “ engaging with private hospitals to provide services at a number of different levels ” .
The HSE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private hospitals had so far agreed to its proposals .
However within the private hospital sector it is believed by senior figures that few , if any , have signed up so far .
The HSE said it was in talks with the private sector on a “ safety-net agreement for activation in the case of a further extreme Covid-19 surge in the near future ” .
It also said it had tendered for private hospitals to provide different services such as provision of in-patient treatment and care for time-dependent and urgent care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , outpatient services and access to diagnostic services.
” Members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association , a new organisation set up recently which represents specialists in the private sector , expressed unhappiness at the proposals .
It maintained they were “ poorly thought out ” and did not fully grasp that private hospitals were currently operating at full capacity and were dealing with patients with conditions that were equally as complex as those in the public system .
The HSE is not seeking to take over fully private hospitals as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is looking for an accord which would provide for guaranteed access on a pre-agreed basis to 40 per cent of the typical in-patient and day-case activity levels on a graduated basis .
The HSE is seeking an “ all inclusive ” package of care to be provided , including the services of doctors in the private hospital .
This would be paid for in an overall fee based on the average cost for similar procedures in the public system based on consumables and staff costs .
It would be up to the private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall package of care .
The HSE would not have a direct contractual arrangement with consultants .
However , the HSE is understood to want provision to send some of its own clinical or other staff to private hospitals to deal with a particular service requirement .
It is understood the proposals envisage that where a public patient was treated as a private patient , any income received from a health insurer would be offset against the bill paid by the HSE .
Patients who are liable for statutory public hospital charges would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital .
The HSE has proposed any new agreement would run for 24 months .
However , there would be a review after a year which would look at developments , including treatments or the availability of a Covid-19 vaccine .
Among the measures that would lead to a triggering of the HSE proposals would be the national Covid-19 infection rate in the community , the level of hospitalisation and ICU occupancy .
Most private hospitals contacted on Friday declined to comment .
The Bon Secours Health System said : “ Discussions have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second wave , and were escalated this week by the HSE .
Any agreement would need the approval of our board and the commitment of our consultant colleagues .
”

The HSE has said it is “engaging with private hospitals to provide services at a number of different levels”
The HSE is seeking to take over up to 40 per cent of activity in private hospitals, potentially for two years, to deal with further surges in Covid-19 cases.
Under its proposals the HSE is seeking private hospital facilities to provide “time-dependent” complex medical and surgical treatment for public patients in a non-Covid environment.
However, in some cases patients with Covid-19 would be treated in private hospitals.
The HSE said on Friday it was “engaging with private hospitals to provide services at a number of different levels”.
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The HSE did not answer questions on how many private hospitals had so far agreed to its proposals. However within the private hospital sector it is believed by senior figures that few, if any, have signed up so far.
The HSE said it was in talks with the private sector on a “safety-net agreement for activation in the case of a further extreme Covid-19 surge in the near future”.
It also said it had tendered for private hospitals to provide different services such as provision of in-patient treatment and care for time-dependent and urgent care, inpatient scheduled care such as orthopaedics, outpatient services and access to diagnostic services.”
Members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association, a new organisation set up recently which represents specialists in the private sector, expressed unhappiness at the proposals. It maintained they were "poorly thought out" and did not fully grasp that private hospitals were currently operating at full capacity and were dealing with patients with conditions that were equally as complex as those in the public system.
Guaranteed access
The HSE is not seeking to take over fully private hospitals as it did in the spring. Instead it is looking for an accord which would provide for guaranteed access on a pre-agreed basis to 40 per cent of the typical in-patient and day-case activity levels on a graduated basis.
The HSE is seeking an “all inclusive” package of care to be provided, including the services of doctors in the private hospital . This would be paid for in an overall fee based on the average cost for similar procedures in the public system based on consumables and staff costs.
It would be up to the private hospital to make arrangements for such an overall package of care. The HSE would not have a direct contractual arrangement with consultants.
However, the HSE is understood to want provision to send some of its own clinical or other staff to private hospitals to deal with a particular service requirement.
It is understood the proposals envisage that where a public patient was treated as a private patient, any income received from a health insurer would be offset against the bill paid by the HSE.
Patients who are liable for statutory public hospital charges would be billed for these by the private hospital.
The HSE has proposed any new agreement would run for 24 months. However, there would be a review after a year which would look at developments, including treatments or the availability of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Infection rate
Among the measures that would lead to a triggering of the HSE proposals would be the national Covid-19 infection rate in the community, the level of hospitalisation and ICU occupancy.
Most private hospitals contacted on Friday declined to comment.
The Bon Secours Health System said:"Discussions have been ongoing intermittently for months on a second wave, and were escalated this week by the HSE. Any agreement would need the approval of our board and the commitment of our consultant colleagues."


theirishtimes--2020-10-16--Analysis: It’s hard for Cabinet to reject Nphet advice on Level 5 twice

After the Government instituted an effective nationwide ban on house visits , and moved three counties to Level 4 on Wednesday , senior health sources were unmoved .
The analogies they reached for involved deckchairs and the Titanic .
Given the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) recommended the next day that the country be moved to Level 5 for a period of six weeks , it ’ s clear it is not persuaded by the gradual creep towards harsher restrictions .
Indeed , it seems that a week which started with much of the country at Level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part , or all , of the country at Level 5 .
But why is the need so great ?
Part of the reason is the sense that Level 3 , or Level 3 plus , has not been effective .
Undoubtedly , there has been some impact .
For example , in Dublin the 14-day incidence rate was 120.9 per 100,000 of population on September 18th , the date Level 3 was introduced in the county .
The capital was by then far the worst performer nationally - this compared to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent data shows that the incidence nationwide is now 206.7 per 100,000 .
In Dublin , it is 194.1 , so while the virus has grown in recent weeks , it has done so at a less pronounced rate than in the rest of the country .
That is cold comfort , with deep concern within Nphet at the growth of the virus nationally .
Dublin ’ s performance relative to the rest of the country is , bluntly , less of an indication of how well the capital is performing and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going elsewhere .
The pressure is beginning to show on the hospital system .
On September 18th , there were 75 Covid patients in hospital , 15 of whom needed critical care .
On Thursday , that figure was 235 , with 29 in critical care .
There were no available critical care beds in eight hospitals , one of which , CUH , told GPs this week that it was “ congested ” due to the impact of Covid-19 , and that staff were off sick with the virus .
The indicators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing .
On September 18th , 2.3 per cent of tests were coming back positive over the previous seven days .
That rate is now 7 per cent .
The State ’ s systems for managing the spread of the virus are also creaking .
The median time to complete all contact tracing calls for positive cases was 1.3 days on September 18th - it is now 2.8 days .
The HSE said on Friday the median time taken for the full test and trace process to be completed on community samples is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was 3.5 days .
Meanwhile , there is frustration at all levels about public compliance with the advice .
This week Cabinet discussed ongoing concerns that changes in restrictions are not having the desired impact - people are still meeting , and spreading the virus .
Ministers were also briefed on new tactics , with social media campaigns set to be rolled out using well-known voices on Instagram and Tik Tok , while the Department of Health is undertaking ethnographic research among young people to identify why compliance is low .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 27 college students , 17 of whom contracted Covid-19 , to communicate just how infectious and dangerous the virus is .
As the chief medical officerDr Tony Holohan warned this week , it is clear the virus is not under control .
Sources say this week ’ s Nphet meeting was among the most grave since the pandemic began .
They are calling for speed and clarity in the State ’ s response , warning there is no time to move through the levels , pausing to argue about which shade of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a situation , the logic of virus management dictates that society should go into a wider lockdown to protect vulnerable populations and essential services .
However , the logic of politics is not so linear .
The political economy of managing the virus has changed .
In March , a wider lockdown had near-universal political and societal support .
Now , opinion is less uniform , and often with good reason .
Living alongside the virus - which means trying to keep the economy moving , and delivering non-Covid healthcare - is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic cost to contend with .
Cabinet was told this week the cost of moving to Level 4 in the three counties will be in the region of €4.8 million per week across the Government ’ s PUP and CRSS schemes alone .
Such sums are small given the huge amounts budgeted for earlier this week , but the population and commercial footprint of these counties is also relatively small .
Opinion at Cabinet is not uniform ; some Ministers believe that it could be time for a wider lockdown .
They argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels anyway , that the virus is rampant , and that wider categories of essential work mean more economic activity can be sustained in Level 4 and 5 .
Others question whether the public will accept weeks of lockdown ; they ask what the metrics of success are , and question whether there is clarity on when and how unlocking will take place again .
Meanwhile , healthcare capacity has improved , as has knowledge of the virus , how it spreads , and how it is treated .
Even cabinet hawks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard not to accept Nphet advice on Level 5 twice .
As the Government faces down yet another crunch decision , the way forward is far from clear .

Ministers question whether the public will accept weeks of lockdown and they ask what the metrics of success are. File photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
After the Government instituted an effective nationwide ban on house visits, and moved three counties to Level 4 on Wednesday, senior health sources were unmoved.
The analogies they reached for involved deckchairs and the Titanic.
Given the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) recommended the next day that the country be moved to Level 5 for a period of six weeks, it’s clear it is not persuaded by the gradual creep towards harsher restrictions. Indeed, it seems that a week which started with much of the country at Level 3, could yet end up with part, or all, of the country at Level 5.
Hospital Report
But why is the need so great? Part of the reason is the sense that Level 3, or Level 3 plus, has not been effective. Undoubtedly, there has been some impact. For example, in Dublin the 14-day incidence rate was 120.9 per 100,000 of population on September 18th, the date Level 3 was introduced in the county. The capital was by then far the worst performer nationally - this compared to a countrywide incidence of 62.37.
READ MORE
The most recent data shows that the incidence nationwide is now 206.7 per 100,000. In Dublin, it is 194.1, so while the virus has grown in recent weeks, it has done so at a less pronounced rate than in the rest of the country. That is cold comfort, with deep concern within Nphet at the growth of the virus nationally. Dublin’s performance relative to the rest of the country is, bluntly, less of an indication of how well the capital is performing and more an indication of how badly things are going elsewhere.
Pressure on hospitals
The pressure is beginning to show on the hospital system. On September 18th, there were 75 Covid patients in hospital, 15 of whom needed critical care. On Thursday, that figure was 235, with 29 in critical care. There were no available critical care beds in eight hospitals, one of which, CUH, told GPs this week that it was “congested” due to the impact of Covid-19, and that staff were off sick with the virus.
The indicators of disease in the community are also growing.
On September 18th, 2.3 per cent of tests were coming back positive over the previous seven days. That rate is now 7 per cent. The State’s systems for managing the spread of the virus are also creaking. The median time to complete all contact tracing calls for positive cases was 1.3 days on September 18th - it is now 2.8 days.
The HSE said on Friday the median time taken for the full test and trace process to be completed on community samples is now 4.1 days. Last month, it was 3.5 days.
Meanwhile, there is frustration at all levels about public compliance with the advice. This week Cabinet discussed ongoing concerns that changes in restrictions are not having the desired impact - people are still meeting, and spreading the virus. Ministers were also briefed on new tactics, with social media campaigns set to be rolled out using well-known voices on Instagram and Tik Tok, while the Department of Health is undertaking ethnographic research among young people to identify why compliance is low.
The Government is also working with a class of 27 college students, 17 of whom contracted Covid-19, to communicate just how infectious and dangerous the virus is.
As the chief medical officerDr Tony Holohan warned this week, it is clear the virus is not under control. Sources say this week’s Nphet meeting was among the most grave since the pandemic began. They are calling for speed and clarity in the State’s response, warning there is no time to move through the levels, pausing to argue about which shade of grey applies at each one.
Wider lockdown
In such a situation, the logic of virus management dictates that society should go into a wider lockdown to protect vulnerable populations and essential services. However, the logic of politics is not so linear.
The political economy of managing the virus has changed. In March, a wider lockdown had near-universal political and societal support. Now, opinion is less uniform, and often with good reason.
Living alongside the virus - which means trying to keep the economy moving, and delivering non-Covid healthcare - is vitally important. There is also the economic cost to contend with. Cabinet was told this week the cost of moving to Level 4 in the three counties will be in the region of €4.8 million per week across the Government’s PUP and CRSS schemes alone. Such sums are small given the huge amounts budgeted for earlier this week, but the population and commercial footprint of these counties is also relatively small.
Opinion at Cabinet is not uniform; some Ministers believe that it could be time for a wider lockdown. They argue that the country is moving through the levels anyway, that the virus is rampant, and that wider categories of essential work mean more economic activity can be sustained in Level 4 and 5.
Others question whether the public will accept weeks of lockdown; they ask what the metrics of success are, and question whether there is clarity on when and how unlocking will take place again. Meanwhile, healthcare capacity has improved, as has knowledge of the virus, how it spreads, and how it is treated. Even cabinet hawks, however, concede that it is very hard not to accept Nphet advice on Level 5 twice.
As the Government faces down yet another crunch decision, the way forward is far from clear.


theirishtimes--2020-10-17--Teachers in ‘fear and trepidation’ of schools being open during Level 5 restrictions

Teachers are feeling “ fear and trepidation ” about the possibility of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions being introduced while schools remain open , the general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland ( ASTI ) Kieran Christie has said .
Mr Christie said the teaching union was keeping all options open and going on strike would be a last resort .
“ There is fear and trepidation among teachers and the students this week about the prospect of society moving into Level 5 and schools remaining open , ” he told RTÉ ’ s Saturday with Katie Hannon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Minister for Education over a week ago when it was mooted that we were moving to Level 5 .
“ We asked for a comprehensive review of the health guidance and supports that are being brought into schools to determine whether they would be adequate or appropriate .
We are renewing that call now.
” Mr Christie said the ASTI was in contact with the Minister , Norma Foley , in relation to the matter and would be “ pressing hard ” .
He said the safety and the welfare of teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopened in circumstances where the number of coronavirus cases were a lot lower than they are now , and community transition was a lot less , he added .
“ We are asking the question that now that we have the entirety of society moving to Level 5 , are the arrangements in schools adequate given the change of situation ?
” The ASTI has decided to ballot for industrial action over concerns it has over the safety of staff and students .
“ At the end of next week that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We want to be in a position to act in an agile manner if it is necessary to do so in the context of the deterioration of the situation and if the safety of our members are compromised .
“ Nobody wants to be in that position [ of taking strike action ] .
But as a trade union we want to keep all our options open .
“ It would be a last resort .
We don ’ t envisage that would be something that we would be jumping to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have all of the supports necessary to support the positions of their members and obviously we hope we don ’ t have to go there .
”

Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland general secretary Kieran Christie said schools had reopened when the number of coronavirus cases were a lot lower than they are now. Photograph: iStock
Teachers are feeling “fear and trepidation” about the possibility of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions being introduced while schools remain open, the general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) Kieran Christie has said.
Mr Christie said the teaching union was keeping all options open and going on strike would be a last resort.
“There is fear and trepidation among teachers and the students this week about the prospect of society moving into Level 5 and schools remaining open,” he told RTÉ’s Saturday with Katie Hannon.
“For our part, we contacted the Minister for Education over a week ago when it was mooted that we were moving to Level 5.
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“We asked for a comprehensive review of the health guidance and supports that are being brought into schools to determine whether they would be adequate or appropriate. We are renewing that call now.”
Mr Christie said the ASTI was in contact with the Minister, Norma Foley, in relation to the matter and would be “pressing hard”.
He said the safety and the welfare of teachers and students was paramount. Schools had reopened in circumstances where the number of coronavirus cases were a lot lower than they are now, and community transition was a lot less, he added.
“We are asking the question that now that we have the entirety of society moving to Level 5, are the arrangements in schools adequate given the change of situation?”
The ASTI has decided to ballot for industrial action over concerns it has over the safety of staff and students. “At the end of next week that’s the timeline,” Mr Christie said.
“We want to be in a position to act in an agile manner if it is necessary to do so in the context of the deterioration of the situation and if the safety of our members are compromised.
“Nobody wants to be in that position [of taking strike action]. But as a trade union we want to keep all our options open.
“It would be a last resort. We don’t envisage that would be something that we would be jumping to, but trade unions obviously have to have all of the supports necessary to support the positions of their members and obviously we hope we don’t have to go there.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Education released a statement on Saturday which said: “The Department of Education has ongoing engagement with the education partners including the teachers’ unions on sustaining the safe opening of schools, with regular meetings, most recently last Tuesday.
“This engagement will continue as the input of all partners in education is valued and underpins the approach taken by the Dept at all times including in the Roadmap for Reopening Schools.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-17--Man charged with aggravated burglary in Limerick

A man has been charged over an aggravated burglary in which the occupants of a house in Limerick city were @ @ @ @ @ about 5.30am on October 10th a man armed with a knife broke into a house @ @ @ @ @ of Limerick city .
He threatened the two occupants of the house and demanded money @ @ @ @ @ of the occupants and left the scene with a handbag containing cash .
Gardaíu said @ @ @ @ @ were extremely shaken by the incident but did not require medical treatment .
Gardaí were @ @ @ @ @ the home .
Following enquiries , gardaí carried out searches in the southside of Limerick @ @ @ @ @ the course of these searches gardaí discovered clothing believed to have been worn by the @ @ @ @ @ and items stolen from the home .
Gardaí arrested a man aged in his 30s @ @ @ @ @ operation .
He was brought to Roxboro Road Garda Station and is due to appear @ @ @ @ @ Saturday afternoon .

The man is due to appear before Ennis District Court on Saturday afternoon. Photograph: Alan Betson
A man has been charged over an aggravated burglary in which the occupants of a house in Limerick city were threatened and assaulted.
At about 5.30am on October 10th a man armed with a knife broke into a house in the Kennedy Park area of Limerick city.
He threatened the two occupants of the house and demanded money. He then assaulted one of the occupants and left the scene with a handbag containing cash.
Gardaíu said the occupants of the house were extremely shaken by the incident but did not require medical treatment.
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Gardaí were contacted after the suspect left the home. Following enquiries, gardaí carried out searches in the southside of Limerick city on Friday.
During the course of these searches gardaí discovered clothing believed to have been worn by the suspect, a knife, and items stolen from the home.
Gardaí arrested a man aged in his 30s as part of the same operation.
He was brought to Roxboro Road Garda Station and is due to appear before Ennis District Court on Saturday afternoon.


theirishtimes--2020-10-17--Hospitals ‘coping but under pressure’ as a result of Covid-19 – Paul Reid

The confirmed number of cases in hospital and intensive care units ( ICUs ) remains steady despite the recent upsurge in Covid-19 cases .
As of 8am on Saturday morning , there were 260 people in hospital as a result of Covid-19 , according to the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) .
This was 16 more than the 244 that were in hospital at 8am on Friday morning .
However , the number of patients with Covid-19 is very fluid .
There were 19 admissions and 18 discharges in the 24 hours .
The number of people in ICU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week with 30 people in intensive care units as of 8am .
There was one admission and one discharge from ICUs .
There are currently 31 ICU beds available across the system .
There are currently 31 patients with Covid-19 in Cavan General Hospital , 23 in Cork University Hospital and 19 in Tallaght .
Reacting to the latest hospital figures , HSE chief executive Paul Reid said he had spoken to hospital managers and consultants .
Their feedback was that they were “ coping but under pressure ” and trying to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was concern among hospital managers that increased community transmission would lead to health service staff getting sick “ at a key time when we need them ” , he said in a tweet .
He reiterated that the key to getting the virus under control is the behaviour of each of us .
Speaking on the Saturday on RTÉ ’ s Katie Hannon Show , HSE infectious disease specialist Dr Anne Dee said “ we are looking at a very difficult period ahead ” and that we could still be looking at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year when hospitals were overwhelmed with cases .
Dr Dee said the recent data suggests that Covid-19 is going back into the older age group .
“ Very quickly we could find ourselves in a position of not being able to cope and our health services being overwhelmed , ” she said .
“ The trajectory is very frighteningly upwards .
In the last couple of weeks we have seen Covid-19 in households .
We are seeing it now going back into nursing homes .
A lot of it goes back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ We need to call a halt at this point and get it back under control.
” Speaking during the week , the HSE ’ s national clinical advisor Dr Colm Henry said the stabilisation of numbers in ICU units is as a result of the virus affecting a younger cohort of the population .
He also stated that doctors have better treatments for the disease which prevents people going into ICUs .
He predicted that the numbers in hospitals and ICUs will increase as community transmission increases and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are more vulnerable to the disease .

The number of people in ICU has remained steady over the last week with 30 people in intensive care units as of 8am. File photograph: Alan Betson
Eight further deaths and 1,276 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the State this evening.
One of the deaths occurred in June, two were in September and five in October. There have now been a total of 1,849 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland.
Northern Ireland has recorded 1,031 new Covid-19 cases and two more deaths.
Of the cases notified in the Republic today 644 are men and 631 are women. with 69 per cent under 45 years of age.
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The median age is 31 years. A total of 278 new cases were recorded in Dublin; 149 in Cork; 108 in Meath; 107 in Galway; 80 in Wexford, and the remaining 554 cases were spread across 21 counties.
As of 2pm today 260 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 30 are in ICU, with 12 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Earlier, it emerged that the confirmed number of cases in hospital and intensive care units (ICUs) remains steady despite the recent upsurge in Covid-19 cases.
As of 8am on Saturday morning, there were 260 people in hospital as a result of Covid-19, according to the Health Service Executive (HSE).
This was 16 more than the 244 that were in hospital at 8am on Friday morning. However, the number of patients with Covid-19 is very fluid. There were 19 admissions and 18 discharges in the 24 hours.
The number of people in ICU has also remained steady over the last week with 30 people in intensive care units as of 8am. There was one admission and one discharge from ICUs. There are currently 31 ICU beds available across the system.
There are currently 31 patients with Covid-19 in Cavan General Hospital, 23 in Cork University Hospital and 19 in Tallaght.
Reacting to the latest hospital figures, HSE chief executive Paul Reid said he had spoken to hospital managers and consultants.
Their feedback was that they were “coping but under pressure” and trying to protect non-Covid care.
He also stated there was concern among hospital managers that increased community transmission would lead to health service staff getting sick “at a key time when we need them”, he said in a tweet.
He reiterated that the key to getting the virus under control is the behaviour of each of us.
Speaking on the Saturday on RTÉ's Katie Hannon Show, HSE infectious disease specialist Dr Anne Dee said "we are looking at a very difficult period ahead" and that we could still be looking at a similar situation in Italy earlier on in the year when hospitals were overwhelmed with cases.
Dr Dee said the recent data suggests that Covid-19 is going back into the older age group.
“Very quickly we could find ourselves in a position of not being able to cope and our health services being overwhelmed,” she said.
“The trajectory is very frighteningly upwards. In the last couple of weeks we have seen Covid-19 in households. We are seeing it now going back into nursing homes. A lot of it goes back to mixing and socialising with alcohol,” he said.
“We need to call a halt at this point and get it back under control.”
Speaking during the week, the HSE's national clinical advisor Dr Colm Henry said the stabilisation of numbers in ICU units is as a result of the virus affecting a younger cohort of the population.
He also stated that doctors have better treatments for the disease which prevents people going into ICUs.
He predicted that the numbers in hospitals and ICUs will increase as community transmission increases and the virus gets into the older age groups that are more vulnerable to the disease.


theirishtimes--2020-10-17--Reasons to be optimistic over a Covid-19 vaccine by Christmas, says expert

Epidemiologist Professor Luke O ’ Neill has said he is confident a vaccine for Covid-19 will be available by the end of the year .
Prof O ’ Neill , a biochemist at Trinity College Dublin , suggested the data coming from pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is very promising .
Pfizer has said it expects emergency authorisation use in the United States for its Covid-19 vaccine by the third week of November .
Prof O ’ Neill said the statement from Pfizer was very promising .
He pointed out that , separately , Barclay ’ s Investment Bank has looked at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved by Christmas and five more in the middle of next year .
In a statement last month , the bank predicted the Pfizer vaccine has an 85 per cent chance of approval and it will be followed swiftly by others .
The bank also believes the majority of the populations of the US , the European Union and the UK will be vaccinated by the end of the third quarter next year .
“ It ’ s a sign that people are looking at this in a positive way , ” Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1 .
“ Some might work better than the other .
The question is who ’ s will be the most efficacious .
The more we have the better.
” He revealed that there are hundreds of millions of Covid-19 vaccines already available as pharmaceutical companies are anticipating success .
“ Can you imagine before Christmas if the headline is that the vaccine shows efficacy ?
They are going to ramp up production in the coming months.
” In addition antigen tests are being developed which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are positive or negative for Covid-19 .
He predicted that these antigen tests will be more widely available in the next two to three months and will make a return to normal life more certain .
Prof O ’ Neill said there is some other good news about Covid-19 with the efficiency of treatment seeing the numbers who die in ICUs dropping from 39 per cent to 12 per cent globally .
“ The signs are that they are getting much better at treating patients , ” he said .
However , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but should stop short of introducing Level 5 restrictions , especially those only allowing people to travel within five kilometres of home .
“ They have to do something to get the numbers down .
I can ’ t see a full Level 5 , but what happens next ?
What is the plan when we come out of it ?
” In the letter published on Friday , Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla said the company should know whether or not the vaccine is effective by the end of October , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier or later based on changes in the infection rates ” among trial participants .
“ To ensure public trust and clear up a great deal of confusion , I believe it is essential for the public to understand our estimated timelines , ” he added .
To receive emergency authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration , Pfizer will have to submit safety data on at least half of the trial participants , outlining how they reacted for two months following the final dose .
“ So let me be clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apply for emergency authorisation use in the US soon after the safety milestone is achieved in the third week of November , ” Mr Bourla said .

Prof Luke O’Neill, a biochemist at Trinity College Dublin, suggested the data coming from pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is very promising. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Epidemiologist Professor Luke O’Neill has said he is confident a vaccine for Covid-19 will be available by the end of the year.
Prof O'Neill, a biochemist at Trinity College Dublin, suggested the data coming from pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is very promising.
Pfizer has said it expects emergency authorisation use in the United States for its Covid-19 vaccine by the third week of November.
Prof O'Neill said the statement from Pfizer was very promising. He pointed out that, separately, Barclay's Investment Bank has looked at the data and is predicting three vaccines approved by Christmas and five more in the middle of next year.
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In a statement last month, the bank predicted the Pfizer vaccine has an 85 per cent chance of approval and it will be followed swiftly by others.
The bank also believes the majority of the populations of the US, the European Union and the UK will be vaccinated by the end of the third quarter next year.
"It's a sign that people are looking at this in a positive way," Prof O'Neill told The Brendan O'Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1.
“Some might work better than the other. The question is who’s will be the most efficacious. The more we have the better.”
He revealed that there are hundreds of millions of Covid-19 vaccines already available as pharmaceutical companies are anticipating success.
“Can you imagine before Christmas if the headline is that the vaccine shows efficacy? They are going to ramp up production in the coming months.”
In addition antigen tests are being developed which will be able to indicate immediately if people are positive or negative for Covid-19.
He predicted that these antigen tests will be more widely available in the next two to three months and will make a return to normal life more certain.
Prof O’Neill said there is some other good news about Covid-19 with the efficiency of treatment seeing the numbers who die in ICUs dropping from 39 per cent to 12 per cent globally.
“The signs are that they are getting much better at treating patients,” he said.
However, he added that the Government needs more restrictions but should stop short of introducing Level 5 restrictions, especially those only allowing people to travel within five kilometres of home.
“They have to do something to get the numbers down. I can’t see a full Level 5, but what happens next? What is the plan when we come out of it?”
In the letter published on Friday, Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla said the company should know whether or not the vaccine is effective by the end of October, but cautioned that this data "may come earlier or later based on changes in the infection rates" among trial participants.
“To ensure public trust and clear up a great deal of confusion, I believe it is essential for the public to understand our estimated timelines,” he added.
To receive emergency authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration, Pfizer will have to submit safety data on at least half of the trial participants, outlining how they reacted for two months following the final dose.
“So let me be clear, assuming positive data, Pfizer will apply for emergency authorisation use in the US soon after the safety milestone is achieved in the third week of November,” Mr Bourla said.


theirishtimes--2020-10-17--Dutch botanists drawn to Ireland’s landscapes of special beauty

When Europe ’ s vegetation crept back after the last ice age , Ireland was left rather limited in species .
But many of our native plants now grow in landscapes of special beauty and interest and of kinds vanishingly rare in Europe .
The botanists of the Netherlands have been drawn to Ireland .
In their highly developed country , the loss of almost all peatland , the soaring number of livestock and the impact of urbanisation have spawned a vigorous and popular movement for nature conservation .
Among the many Dutch scientists visiting Ireland , perhaps the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to study peatland in 1978 .
Shocked by the inroads on the Irish bogs , he returned home and campaigned to raise money to buy and save three of them .
He also helped prompt the setting-up of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council .
Some years earlier , Victor Westhoff , a professor at Nijmegen University , began exploring the vegetation of western Connemara .
Drawn to the research potential of its changing and threatened landscapes , he launched a team of four young botany students on a project that was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team , led by Jan van Groenendael , Ton Roozen , Madeleine van Mansfeld and Marijke van Mansfeld , arrived at an unoccupied cottage , initially without electricity or plumbing , at Ballyconneely on the westernmost Connemara peninsula .
Their mission was to sample the myriad lakes west of a line from Clifden to Roundstone and to describe and monitor their plant life and water chemistry .
The aim was to study the long-term impact of changes in the local environment .
From 1975 to 2010 , in a series of two-week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants on more than 350 small plots of lake shores and water .
The project , which still continues , has had much scientific value in the study of aquatic ecosystems .
It has also produced a beautiful and most absorbing book , written for the general reader .
The Hidden Lakes of Connemara ( €31.50 from main bookshops in Galway and Clifden or from connemara-lakes.com ) is published by the team as “ a tribute to a fascinating landscape ” .
Interleaved with their photographs , watercolours and often lyrical poems , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoyment of place and people .
The 18 lakes chosen for the project range from blanket bog through coastal farmland to a shoreline scalloped with gleaming white beaches .
They represent the wide variation of bedrock and chemistry , from acid peatland to lime-rich shores , and of the powerful impact of the western ocean winds .
The lake plants have their celebrities , such as rafts of pipewort , bright spires of lobelia and the underwater fronds of slender naiad .
But all are adapted to growing in water – often crystal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very tight budget of phosphorus , the element of their energy .
Phosphorus is scarce in nature , often leached out of rock , and plants use it in microgrammes per litre .
But the spreading of artificial fertilisers supplies it in dozens of kilos per hectare , feeding plants that outcompete and expel the locally native vegetation .
In conservation areas of the Netherlands , the topsoil of phosphate-soaked farm fields is actually being removed , at huge cost .
Under the heading The Phosphorylation of Connemara , Dr van Groenendael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lakes and wetlands in farmland where decades of fertilisers have succeeded the former reliance on seaweed .
“ Reeds and razor-sharp Great Fen sedge , ” he writes , ” are taking over in the fens and quaking mires of the coastal lakes and extensive algal mats are developing in more nutrient-poor lakes inland .
.
.
” Over the 35 years of close monitoring the same 350 lake and wetland plots , his team recorded hundreds of plant and moss species .
A drop of 31 plant species by 2010 was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found again and 31 new ones .
The changes over much of the blanket bog have been very slight .
But at lakes in the coastal zone , changes in land use have meant that some plots have almost completely lost their original mix of plants .
One of these is Lough Namanawaun , west of Roundstone , in an area of intensifying farming .
Its condition moved Madeleine van Ramsfeld to end a poem : “ Danger for this precious gem/ lies in spoils of human waste/ cows make havoc at its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nearly all the lakes in the survey fall within special areas of conservation designated by the National Parks & Wildlife Service .
No ownership is registered for many of them and no management plans exist .
Dr van Groenendael offers an idea that might help pay to conserve the landscape ’ s biodiversity and beauty .
Would the people who buy or build houses in Connemara not be prepared to invest in the protection of their environmental assets ?

When Europe’s vegetation crept back after the last ice age, Ireland was left rather limited in species. But many of our native plants now grow in landscapes of special beauty and interest and of kinds vanishingly rare in Europe.
The botanists of the Netherlands have been drawn to Ireland. In their highly developed country, the loss of almost all peatland, the soaring number of livestock and the impact of urbanisation have spawned a vigorous and popular movement for nature conservation.
Among the many Dutch scientists visiting Ireland, perhaps the best known has been Matthijs Schouten, who came to study peatland in 1978. Shocked by the inroads on the Irish bogs, he returned home and campaigned to raise money to buy and save three of them. He also helped prompt the setting-up of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council.
Some years earlier, Victor Westhoff, a professor at Nijmegen University, began exploring the vegetation of western Connemara. Drawn to the research potential of its changing and threatened landscapes, he launched a team of four young botany students on a project that was to last for 35 years.
READ MORE
In 1975 the team, led by Jan van Groenendael, Ton Roozen, Madeleine van Mansfeld and Marijke van Mansfeld, arrived at an unoccupied cottage, initially without electricity or plumbing, at Ballyconneely on the westernmost Connemara peninsula.
The project, which still continues, has had much scientific value in the study of aquatic ecosystems
Their mission was to sample the myriad lakes west of a line from Clifden to Roundstone and to describe and monitor their plant life and water chemistry. The aim was to study the long-term impact of changes in the local environment. From 1975 to 2010, in a series of two-week stays, they repeated surveys of the plants on more than 350 small plots of lake shores and water.
The project, which still continues, has had much scientific value in the study of aquatic ecosystems. It has also produced a beautiful and most absorbing book, written for the general reader. The Hidden Lakes of Connemara (€31.50 from main bookshops in Galway and Clifden or from connemara-lakes.com) is published by the team as "a tribute to a fascinating landscape". Interleaved with their photographs, watercolours and often lyrical poems, it offers a share of their deep enjoyment of place and people.
The 18 lakes chosen for the project range from blanket bog through coastal farmland to a shoreline scalloped with gleaming white beaches. They represent the wide variation of bedrock and chemistry, from acid peatland to lime-rich shores, and of the powerful impact of the western ocean winds.
The lake plants have their celebrities, such as rafts of pipewort, bright spires of lobelia and the underwater fronds of slender naiad. But all are adapted to growing in water – often crystal clear and poor in nourishment and to a very tight budget of phosphorus, the element of their energy.
Phosphorus is scarce in nature, often leached out of rock, and plants use it in microgrammes per litre. But the spreading of artificial fertilisers supplies it in dozens of kilos per hectare, feeding plants that outcompete and expel the locally native vegetation. In conservation areas of the Netherlands, the topsoil of phosphate-soaked farm fields is actually being removed, at huge cost.
At lakes in the coastal zone, changes in land use have meant that some plots have almost completely lost their original mix of plants
Under the heading The Phosphorylation of Connemara, Dr van Groenendael traces the first signs of change in lakes and wetlands in farmland where decades of fertilisers have succeeded the former reliance on seaweed. “Reeds and razor-sharp Great Fen sedge,” he writes,”are taking over in the fens and quaking mires of the coastal lakes and extensive algal mats are developing in more nutrient-poor lakes inland . . .”
Over the 35 years of close monitoring the same 350 lake and wetland plots, his team recorded hundreds of plant and moss species. A drop of 31 plant species by 2010 was the balance between 62 that could not be found again and 31 new ones. The changes over much of the blanket bog have been very slight. But at lakes in the coastal zone, changes in land use have meant that some plots have almost completely lost their original mix of plants.
One of these is Lough Namanawaun, west of Roundstone, in an area of intensifying farming. Its condition moved Madeleine van Ramsfeld to end a poem: “Danger for this precious gem/ lies in spoils of human waste/ cows make havoc at its water edge/ Connemara’s disgrace.”
Nearly all the lakes in the survey fall within special areas of conservation designated by the National Parks & Wildlife Service. No ownership is registered for many of them and no management plans exist.
Dr van Groenendael offers an idea that might help pay to conserve the landscape’s biodiversity and beauty. Would the people who buy or build houses in Connemara not be prepared to invest in the protection of their environmental assets?


theirishtimes--2020-10-17--Could you identify this extraordinary caterpillar? Readers’ nature queries

This large , friendly fellow flew on to our patio near Tuosist on the Beara Peninsula , Co Kerry in August .
Is it a musk beetle and are they rare ?
– Vincent Sheridan , Drumcondra , Dublin 9 It is a musk beetle , which can also be green rather than the coppery colour of yours .
There has only been one report of it in Ireland and that was also on the Beara Peninsula in the Glengarriff Gardens .
We found this little guy washed up on the shore at the cove in Greystones .
We swim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
– Orlaith Bourne , Greystones , Co Wicklow I spotted this octopus washed up on Sandymount Strand .
Is it Octopus vulgaris ?
It was about 10 inches in diameter .
– Ian Brunswick , Sandymount , Dublin 4 They are both the lesser octopus , Eledone cirrhosa .
The lesser octopus has one row of suckers on its arms and the common octopus has two .
Could you identify this extraordinary caterpillar ?
My children were amazed by its bright colours , fluffy patches and purple tail .
– Aisling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meath It ’ s the caterpillar of the pale tussock moth .
I spotted this moth sheltering during a sunny day in my garden .
It appears to have little appendages jutting out over the closed wings .
– Helen Birtwistle , Cork There are three Y moths : the beautiful golden Y , the plain golden Y , and the silver Y moth .
Yours looks like the silver Y , which can be variably brown .
We found these embedded in our dog Pip ’ s skin after hiking in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in length .
– Vanessa Drew , Ballyroney , Co Down It ’ s a sheep tick , sucking blood from your dog ; it can also carry disease .
You can remove it carefully with a tweezers .
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn , Louisburgh , Co Mayo , F28 F978 , or by email at viney @ anu.ie .
Include a postal address .

This large, friendly fellow flew on to our patio near Tuosist on the Beara Peninsula, Co Kerry in August. Is it a musk beetle and are they rare? – Vincent Sheridan, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
It is a musk beetle, which can also be green rather than the coppery colour of yours. There has only been one report of it in Ireland and that was also on the Beara Peninsula in the Glengarriff Gardens.
A musk beetle was spotted in Co Kerry.
We found this little guy washed up on the shore at the cove in Greystones. We swim every morning and have never encountered one before. – Orlaith Bourne, Greystones, Co Wicklow
I spotted this octopus washed up on Sandymount Strand. Is it Octopus vulgaris? It was about 10 inches in diameter. – Ian Brunswick, Sandymount, Dublin 4
READ MORE
They are both the lesser octopus, Eledone cirrhosa. The lesser octopus has one row of suckers on its arms and the common octopus has two.
Ian Brunswick’s photo of lesser octopus, Eledone cirrhosa, seen in Dublin 4.
Could you identify this extraordinary caterpillar? My children were amazed by its bright colours, fluffy patches and purple tail. – Aisling O'Toole, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath
It’s the caterpillar of the pale tussock moth.
I spotted this moth sheltering during a sunny day in my garden. It appears to have little appendages jutting out over the closed wings. – Helen Birtwistle, Cork
There are three Y moths: the beautiful golden Y, the plain golden Y, and the silver Y moth. Yours looks like the silver Y, which can be variably brown.
We found these embedded in our dog Pip's skin after hiking in the Mourne Mountains. They were about 5mm in length. – Vanessa Drew, Ballyroney, Co Down
It’s a sheep tick, sucking blood from your dog; it can also carry disease. You can remove it carefully with a tweezers.
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28 F978, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Include a postal address.


theirishtimes--2020-10-17--Covid-19 and financial distress: ‘What we’re seeing now is only the beginning’

“ What we ’ re seeing now is only the beginning .
The true impact of what has gone on is not in any way being felt yet , ” says Michelle O ’ Hara , regional manager for South Leinster Money Advice and Budgeting Service ( Mabs ) .
“ There is going to be , in my view , a heavy debt burden on an awful lot of people .
I think that the full extent of that won ’ t be seen until early 2021.
” If rising numbers of GP referrals for Covid-19 tests act as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge in disease , calls to the Mabs helpline operate as a red flag for a coming wave of financial distress .
“ The helpline is where we measure the temperature for the rest of the country.
” And she is very concerned by what that temperature reading is showing .
In May 2020 , the volume of calls was at 55 per cent of 2019 levels .
One month later , it had increased to 88 per cent of the previous year .
By the week beginning September 30th , calls were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week in 2019 .
Overall , September saw the highest volume of calls since 2014 .
This is just the tip of the iceberg .
“ It will be the first quarter of 2021 before we see the big hit ” in terms of financial distress , she predicts .
Calls to the helpline are coming from people in industries that never before had to engage with the service .
“ You would have thought a pilot would never be out of work , but some of them are .
We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , engineers , taxi drivers , ” she says .
“ Aviation is a big one that we ’ re seeing at the moment .
We would have seen hospitality workers over the years , ” but they always had the option to find another job , or even to emigrate .
Those opportunities are no longer there .
“ A total loss of income in hospitality wouldn ’ t have been their primary issue ; now it is.
” The top three reasons for people contacting the helpline are , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduction in income due to Covid-19 and support with creditor contact .
One issue that has emerged recently is banks refusing to offer an alternative repayment arrangement ( ARA ) to mortgage holders in distress who are on the pandemic unemployment payment ( PUP ) .
“ One of the challenges is the banks not willing to offer an ARA while someone is on PUP because of the temporary nature of it .
One or two of them have said that they are not going to even assess a statement of affairs at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that you ’ re on a temporary unemployment payment.
” She cites one recent case where a Mabs client who had lost their job because of Covid-19 engaged with the bank and submitted their standard financial statement .
The bank replied that “ they were unable to offer an ARA , as they ’ re unable to accept the PUP payment as a long-term solution , since it only lasts until April 1st ” – the current deadline for the scheme to be phased out .
“ They wanted confirmation of when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before they offer the ARA , ” something the client , of course , is unable to give .
O ’ Hara is concerned about this development , particularly given the high numbers of those already in long-term arrears at the start of the pandemic .
At the end of the second quarter of 2020 , the number of those in arrears of 720 days or more was 26,228 .
This is 46 per cent of all private homes in mortgage arrears .
Those who took a repayment break during lockdown because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of it are finding now that they have to choose between higher repayments or a longer loan term .
“ At the time , you may not have had an alternative option .
But that mortgage break is going to cost you over time .
If you ’ re coming out of it now , your options are either going onto a higher repayment now to pay off the arrears , or to look for an extension of the mortgage term .
Some people are mortgaged out to age 70 already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six months onto it ?
” But by far the biggest issue Mabs is seeing at the moment is the threat of disconnection from essential utilities .
“ Looking back on it now , the quietness in May was because there was no pressure on anybody to pay anything during that time .
The creditor calls and letters : it all stopped .
In south Leinster , our quietest month was April .
And then it started coming back up from May and June .
And now it ’ s back up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August , creditors were starting to get into contact again , looking for the resumption of payment .
Now , what we ’ re seeing is a big surge in the threat of utilities disconnections .
There was a moratorium on disconnection during lockdown .
But your bill didn ’ t disappear , it was still there .
Now they can start actively looking for arrears again.
” Economic indicators suggest household savings soared during lockdown , but that ’ s not the case across the board , says O ’ Hara .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pile of money that people are supposedly sitting on .
It may be out there , but it ’ s not what ’ s presenting itself to us .
Money was saved during the complete lockdown ” on entertainment , commuting costs and childcare .
“ But the money was spent in other ways .
There was a lot of doing up of houses and outside spaces.
” “ The cost of everybody being at home for seven days a week is more , so your bills were likely to have been higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re seeing at the moment.
” People who had separate income streams through the gig economy have also taken a hit .
“ There are no metrics to measure the impact on mná tí in the Gaeltacht , or people who usually have Spanish students to stay over the summer , or the guys who would play in a wedding band .
The gig economy has been severely impacted.
” Overall , the Mabs helpline is seeing people suffering high levels of anxiety .
And the financial distress caused by Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2008 recession , she says .
“ The opportunity to emigrate is not there .
If you ’ re a 50-year-old pilot , you ’ re having to do a total about-turn in your lifestyle .
People can upskill , but that won ’ t happen immediately.
” Overall , Mabs welcomes the measures introduced in Budget 2021 .
“ The focus on social welfare payments , on families and on the social inclusion piece for those living alone and on the self-employed were welcome .
The budget was never going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re trying to stabilise things , but the reality is that nobody knows what might or might not happen .
We don ’ t know from one week to the next .
That ’ s the challenge with it.
” O ’ Hara urges people not to wait until they ’ re deep in distress before contacting Mabs .
“ When people call for the first time , they ’ re normally quite deep in difficulty .
They might have been threatened with legal action or eviction , or the car has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They ’ re at the end of their tether .
But you don ’ t have to wait to come to us .
“ I always say , we don ’ t care why you ended up where you are .
That ’ s not our concern .
Our concern is to try to get you back on an even keel .
If you ’ re crushed under the pressure of debt , it sinks into every fibre of your being .
You don ’ t sleep .
You start getting unwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family life is affected .
You might turn to alcohol .
But we can show people there is light .
”

“What we’re seeing now is only the beginning. The true impact of what has gone on is not in any way being felt yet,” says Michelle O’Hara, regional manager for South Leinster Money Advice and Budgeting Service (Mabs).
“There is going to be, in my view, a heavy debt burden on an awful lot of people. I think that the full extent of that won’t be seen until early 2021.”
You would have thought a pilot would never be out of work, but some of them are
Hospital Report
If rising numbers of GP referrals for Covid-19 tests act as an early warning system for an impending surge in disease, calls to the Mabs helpline operate as a red flag for a coming wave of financial distress. “The helpline is where we measure the temperature for the rest of the country.”
And she is very concerned by what that temperature reading is showing. In May 2020, the volume of calls was at 55 per cent of 2019 levels. One month later, it had increased to 88 per cent of the previous year. By the week beginning September 30th, calls were 39.1 per cent higher than in same week in 2019. Overall, September saw the highest volume of calls since 2014.
READ MORE
This is just the tip of the iceberg. “It will be the first quarter of 2021 before we see the big hit” in terms of financial distress, she predicts.
Calls to the helpline are coming from people in industries that never before had to engage with the service. “You would have thought a pilot would never be out of work, but some of them are. We’re seeing pilots, hospitality workers, accommodation workers, engineers, taxi drivers,” she says.
“Aviation is a big one that we’re seeing at the moment. We would have seen hospitality workers over the years,” but they always had the option to find another job, or even to emigrate. Those opportunities are no longer there.
“A total loss of income in hospitality wouldn’t have been their primary issue; now it is.”
The top three reasons for people contacting the helpline are, she says: the disconnection of utilities; reduction in income due to Covid-19 and support with creditor contact.
One issue that has emerged recently is banks refusing to offer an alternative repayment arrangement (ARA) to mortgage holders in distress who are on the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP). “One of the challenges is the banks not willing to offer an ARA while someone is on PUP because of the temporary nature of it. One or two of them have said that they are not going to even assess a statement of affairs at the moment, in light of the fact that you’re on a temporary unemployment payment.”
She cites one recent case where a Mabs client who had lost their job because of Covid-19 engaged with the bank and submitted their standard financial statement. The bank replied that “they were unable to offer an ARA, as they’re unable to accept the PUP payment as a long-term solution, since it only lasts until April 1st” – the current deadline for the scheme to be phased out. “They wanted confirmation of when the client would be returning to work before they offer the ARA,” something the client, of course, is unable to give.
O’Hara is concerned about this development, particularly given the high numbers of those already in long-term arrears at the start of the pandemic. At the end of the second quarter of 2020, the number of those in arrears of 720 days or more was 26,228. This is 46 per cent of all private homes in mortgage arrears.
Those who took a repayment break during lockdown because they lost their job and are coming to the end of it are finding now that they have to choose between higher repayments or a longer loan term. “At the time, you may not have had an alternative option. But that mortgage break is going to cost you over time. If you’re coming out of it now, your options are either going onto a higher repayment now to pay off the arrears, or to look for an extension of the mortgage term. Some people are mortgaged out to age 70 already. Do they want to stick another six months onto it?”
We're not seeing the pile of money that people are supposedly sitting on. It may be out there, but it's not what's presenting itself to us
But by far the biggest issue Mabs is seeing at the moment is the threat of disconnection from essential utilities. “Looking back on it now, the quietness in May was because there was no pressure on anybody to pay anything during that time. The creditor calls and letters: it all stopped. In south Leinster, our quietest month was April. And then it started coming back up from May and June. And now it’s back up to full tilt.
“From mid-way through August, creditors were starting to get into contact again, looking for the resumption of payment. Now, what we’re seeing is a big surge in the threat of utilities disconnections. There was a moratorium on disconnection during lockdown. But your bill didn’t disappear, it was still there. Now they can start actively looking for arrears again.”
Economic indicators suggest household savings soared during lockdown, but that’s not the case across the board, says O’Hara. “We’re not seeing the pile of money that people are supposedly sitting on. It may be out there, but it’s not what’s presenting itself to us. Money was saved during the complete lockdown” on entertainment, commuting costs and childcare. “But the money was spent in other ways. There was a lot of doing up of houses and outside spaces.”
“The cost of everybody being at home for seven days a week is more, so your bills were likely to have been higher. That’s a big one we’re seeing at the moment.”
People who had separate income streams through the gig economy have also taken a hit. “There are no metrics to measure the impact on mná tí in the Gaeltacht, or people who usually have Spanish students to stay over the summer, or the guys who would play in a wedding band. The gig economy has been severely impacted.”
Overall, the Mabs helpline is seeing people suffering high levels of anxiety. And the financial distress caused by Covid-19 is fundamentally different to that caused by the 2008 recession, she says. “The opportunity to emigrate is not there. If you’re a 50-year-old pilot, you’re having to do a total about-turn in your lifestyle. People can upskill, but that won’t happen immediately.”
Overall, Mabs welcomes the measures introduced in Budget 2021. “The focus on social welfare payments, on families and on the social inclusion piece for those living alone and on the self-employed were welcome. The budget was never going to be everything to everybody. They’re trying to stabilise things, but the reality is that nobody knows what might or might not happen. We don’t know from one week to the next. That’s the challenge with it.”
O’Hara urges people not to wait until they’re deep in distress before contacting Mabs. “When people call for the first time, they’re normally quite deep in difficulty. They might have been threatened with legal action or eviction, or the car has been lifted from the front of the house. They’re at the end of their tether. But you don’t have to wait to come to us.
“I always say, we don’t care why you ended up where you are. That’s not our concern. Our concern is to try to get you back on an even keel. If you’re crushed under the pressure of debt, it sinks into every fibre of your being. You don’t sleep. You start getting unwell. Your job is affected. Your family life is affected. You might turn to alcohol. But we can show people there is light.”
The Mabs helpline is 0761 07 2000.