theirishtimes--2020-11-01--GP at centre of Varadkar controversy has become prominent over recent years

Maitiú Ó Tuathail , the general practitioner ( GP ) involved in the controversy over receiving a confidential contract document from the then taoiseach Leo Varadkar , has become a prominent figure in both the medical and media worlds over the last number of years .
From Lettermore in Co Galway , he became president of the National Association of General Practitioners ( NAGP ) in 2018 at the age of 29 .
At the time he was a GP trainee , practising in Rathfarnham , Dublin .
He was prominent in a campaign for the reversal of cuts imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ austerity .
He warned that the traditional family doctor service was facing serious pressures , and without greater State investment patients were facing the prospect of lengthy waiting times to see their GP .
However , in April 2019 , Ó Tuathail stood down as NAGP president and a number of members of the organisation ’ s national council resigned amid allegations of dysfunctional governance and inappropriate spending .
Ó Tuathail , who currently works as a GP in Ranelagh , Dublin , said he resigned from the organisation as he had “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governance .
Ó Tuathail is prominent on social media , and has also become a well-known figure on radio and television during the current Covid-19 pandemic .
During the summer a video he recorded regarding the use of face masks went viral on social media .
The video , in which he worse six different masks , was aimed to demonstrate to patients with concerns that contrary to what people may be reading online , wearing a face mask did not reduce a person ’ s oxygen levels .

Maitiú Ó Tuathail, the general practitioner (GP) involved in the controversy over receiving a confidential contract document from the then taoiseach Leo Varadkar, has become a prominent figure in both the medical and media worlds over the last number of years.
From Lettermore in Co Galway, he became president of the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) in 2018 at the age of 29. At the time he was a GP trainee, practising in Rathfarnham, Dublin.
He was prominent in a campaign for the reversal of cuts imposed on general practice during the years of austerity. He warned that the traditional family doctor service was facing serious pressures, and without greater State investment patients were facing the prospect of lengthy waiting times to see their GP.
However, in April 2019, Ó Tuathail stood down as NAGP president and a number of members of the organisation’s national council resigned amid allegations of dysfunctional governance and inappropriate spending.
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Ó Tuathail, who currently works as a GP in Ranelagh, Dublin, said he resigned from the organisation as he had “grave concerns” with regards to its governance.
Ó Tuathail is prominent on social media, and has also become a well-known figure on radio and television during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
During the summer a video he recorded regarding the use of face masks went viral on social media. The video, in which he worse six different masks, was aimed to demonstrate to patients with concerns that contrary to what people may be reading online, wearing a face mask did not reduce a person’s oxygen levels.


theirishtimes--2020-11-01--Improved testing and tracing system for schools from Monday, says Foley

A revamped Covid-19 testing and tracing system for schools will be led by public health officials and supplemented by department staff , Minister for Education Norma Foley has said .
“ The contact details are being made available to schools on Monday morning as the teams are being rolled out , ” she said .
Public health officials “ have committed to weekly meetings with the unions , two of those meetings have already taken place .
They will specifically address any of the issues , from a public health point of view , that are arising in the schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excess of €375 million has been made available to the schools for all the various measures that need to be put in place in terms of Covid-19 .
The balance of €226 million is about to be paid for the remainder of the school year .
So there is no question that funding isn ’ t being made available , ” she said .
Speaking on the RTÉ Radio 1 This Week programme on Sunday , she said the request last week that a hand sanitiser be withdrawn from schools for safety reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a mid-term break .
Last week the Department of Education ordered the withdrawal more than 50 hand sanitiser products , following a review of the products after the Department of Agriculture ordered that a hand sanitiser - ViraPro - be withdrawn due to safety issues .
Schools were ordered to stop using 22 hand sanitisers , 14 wipes , eight hand soaps and eight detergents which were removed from the department ’ s list of approved products because it had not been possible to “ confirm their registration status as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the timing of the removal of the products was “ far , far from ideal but it was better to do it once the information came to hand , it was important to act proactively.
” The short notice angered teachers ’ unions and school managers who say principals were under acute pressure to secure supplies in time for the reopening of schools on Monday .
“ We immediately set up a helpline for our schools and indeed there has been great engagement with it .
Up to today [ SUNDAY ] we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , almost , in and around 10 per cent of what is projected by our suppliers .
Ten per cent of schools bought varying quantities of products from the framework , ” she said .
“ The Department will continue to fund the purchase of measures that are required from the PPE framework and we ’ re talking in and around €300,000 , ” she said , while there was “ no indication that any of these products are in any way harmful.
” Her decision to act for their removal was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The same products were “ widely available in your local shops , supermarkets and across other institutions and bodies , ” she said .
Leaving Certificate 2020 will go ahead on the 16th of November , continuing to December 11th with 2,818 students taking part , “ less than 5 per cent of the eligible cohort , ” she said .
It was “ the intention that Leaving Certificate 2021 will be the traditional Leaving Certificate as we would know it .
That ’ s what we are planning for and that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .

Minister for Education Norma Foley admitted that the timing of the withdrawal of sanitiser products for schools was ‘far from ideal’.
A revamped Covid-19 testing and tracing system for schools will be led by public health officials and supplemented by department staff, Minister for Education Norma Foley has said.
“The contact details are being made available to schools on Monday morning as the teams are being rolled out,” she said.
Public health officials “have committed to weekly meetings with the unions, two of those meetings have already taken place. They will specifically address any of the issues, from a public health point of view, that are arising in the schools,” she said.
“In excess of €375 million has been made available to the schools for all the various measures that need to be put in place in terms of Covid-19. The balance of €226 million is about to be paid for the remainder of the school year. So there is no question that funding isn’t being made available,” she said.
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Speaking on the RTÉ Radio 1 This Week programme on Sunday, she said the request last week that a hand sanitiser be withdrawn from schools for safety reasons, was something she absolutely regretted doing during a mid-term break.
Last week the Department of Education ordered the withdrawal more than 50 hand sanitiser products, following a review of the products after the Department of Agriculture ordered that a hand sanitiser - ViraPro - be withdrawn due to safety issues.
Schools were ordered to stop using 22 hand sanitisers, 14 wipes, eight hand soaps and eight detergents which were removed from the department’s list of approved products because it had not been possible to “confirm their registration status as part of the review”.
Ms Foley said the timing of the removal of the products was “far, far from ideal but it was better to do it once the information came to hand, it was important to act proactively.”
The short notice angered teachers’ unions and school managers who say principals were under acute pressure to secure supplies in time for the reopening of schools on Monday.
“We immediately set up a helpline for our schools and indeed there has been great engagement with it. Up to today [SUNDAY]we have received in or around 400 calls, almost, in and around 10 per cent of what is projected by our suppliers. Ten per cent of schools bought varying quantities of products from the framework,” she said.
“The Department will continue to fund the purchase of measures that are required from the PPE framework and we’re talking in and around €300,000,” she said, while there was “no indication that any of these products are in any way harmful.”
Her decision to act for their removal was “out of an abundance of caution” The same products were “widely available in your local shops, supermarkets and across other institutions and bodies,” she said.
Leaving Certificate 2020 will go ahead on the 16th of November, continuing to December 11th with 2,818 students taking part, “less than 5 per cent of the eligible cohort,” she said.
It was “the intention that Leaving Certificate 2021 will be the traditional Leaving Certificate as we would know it. That’s what we are planning for and that’s how we are proceeding,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-11-01--Funeral of Gerry O’Hare to take place in Co Donegal

The funeral is taking place in Co Donegal on Monday afternoon of former leading republican and journalist Gerry O ’ Hare , who died in Belfast on Thursday aged 79 .
A former Provisional IRA prisoner who joined the organisation on the outbreak of the Troubles , he also edited the republican newspaper An Phoblacht .
O ’ Hare was one of the IRA prisoners who restrained prison officers in the exercise yard of Mountjoy prison in October , 1973 when a helicopter was used in the escape of three leading IRA members , Seamus Twomey , Kevin Mallon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Irish Press group in the late 1970s working in several areas including the newsdesk before being appointed as the Irish Press travel editor .
While he travelled the world in that latter position he avoided flights that might land at UK airports for fear of arrest on outstanding warrants in Northern Ireland .
O ’ Hare founded the magazine Travel Extra when the Irish Press Group closed in 1995 .
His first wife Rita O ’ Hare is the Sinn Féin representative in Washington DC .
He married journalist and author Anne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1980s .
O ’ Hare had strong connections in Belfast , Dublin and Donegal .
His funeral is taking place at St Columba ’ s Church , Massmount in Fanad , Co Donegal , on Monday at 2pm .

Former leading republican and journalist Gerry O’Hare died in Belfast on Thursday aged 79. Photograph: Collins Photos
The funeral is taking place in Co Donegal on Monday afternoon of former leading republican and journalist Gerry O'Hare, who died in Belfast on Thursday aged 79.
A former Provisional IRA prisoner who joined the organisation on the outbreak of the Troubles, he also edited the republican newspaper An Phoblacht.
O'Hare was one of the IRA prisoners who restrained prison officers in the exercise yard of Mountjoy prison in October, 1973 when a helicopter was used in the escape of three leading IRA members, Seamus Twomey, Kevin Mallon and JB O'Hagan.
He joined the Irish Press group in the late 1970s working in several areas including the newsdesk before being appointed as the Irish Press travel editor. While he travelled the world in that latter position he avoided flights that might land at UK airports for fear of arrest on outstanding warrants in Northern Ireland.
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Strong connections
O'Hare founded the magazine Travel Extra when the Irish Press Group closed in 1995.
His first wife Rita O'Hare is the Sinn Féin representative in Washington DC. He married journalist and author Anne Cadwallader, who survives him, in the 1980s.
O’Hare had strong connections in Belfast, Dublin and Donegal. His funeral is taking place at St Columba’s Church, Massmount in Fanad, Co Donegal, on Monday at 2pm.


theirishtimes--2020-11-01--Cowen says Varadkar ‘mistake’ over contract was with ‘good intentions’

Former minister for agriculture Barry Cowen has said Leo Varadkar is “ entitled to make a mistake ” and does not believe “ a grave should be prepared ” for the Tánaiste as a result of the contract controversy .
Mr Varadkar shared confidential information with a rival body during Government negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation ( IMO ) in April 2019 , it emerged following a report in Village Magazine .
Mr Cowen , who was sacked as Minister for Agriculture over the summer following controversy emanating from a historic drink-driving incident , said that in sharing details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family doctors with a rival GP group , Mr Varadkar had made a mistake “ with good intentions , if that ’ s possible ” .
“ I wouldn ’ t dance on his grave , ” he said , “ I don ’ t believe a grave should be prepared on that in this instance.
” Mr Cowen ’ s intervention will be seen as significant as he was removed from office after a political controversy earlier this year .
Political sources had speculated Mr Cowen ’ s attitude to the controversy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wider Fianna Fáil party would react .
“ It would appear it was a mistake with good intentions if that ’ s possible , in that you can imagine the anxiousness to get that process ( the GP contract ) to bed , ” Mr Cowen said .
“ It ’ s an inadvertent mistake he should learn from and move on , there ’ s more important issues facing the country right now.
” His comments come as Ministers closed ranks on Sunday around the Tánaiste .
Speaking to RTÉ radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the draft deal was shared by the Tánaiste “ after agreement had been reached on that particular new GP ( General Practitioners ) contract.
” What we were looking to do was get agreement from GPs to its implementation , ” he said .
“ It was after a press conference had been done on the agreement .
It was after the government had agreed to the new agreement and the details that we were referring to were being broadly circulated and indeed broadly reported on , ” he Mr Donohoe said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ magazine which claimed he acted unlawfully in providing a copy of the draft pay deal agreement with the IMO to the rival National Association of General Practitioners ( NAGP ) representative group for doctors .
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 ’ s This Week programme on Sunday Mr Donohoe said the Tánaiste had acknowledged “ the way that information was shared was not best practice .
He ’ s also made very clear that he will go into the Dáil to answer questions in relation to this.
” Questions posed by other party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be answered , ” the Minister said .
“ I ’ ve been involved in countless negotiations on his behalf and on behalf of the Government and at all times he and he has been guided by doing the right thing by the exchequer and , in this case , by patients and GPs , ” Mr Donohoe said .
Minister for Education Norma Foley said the Taoiseach has made clear that “ this was not best practice.
” Mr Varadkar “ has also acknowledged the need to come before the Dáil next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more importantly , perhaps also too to answer questions .
I think that ’ s the right forum , he ’ s answerable to the Dáil , ” she said .
The Tánaiste “ needs to give a very frank and , in fairness , I acknowledged he has already made a detailed statement , she added .
Sinn Féin Health spokesman David Cullinane rejected Mr Varadkar ’ s view that the document was not confidential when circulated .
“ That ’ s at odds with the Dáil record .
“ First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gael , Leo confirmed that he leaked the document .
The document was not public and that ’ s at odds with the Dáil record .
“ We had any amount of Opposition health spokespeople from Louise O ’ Reilly from Sinn Féin to the current Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly say quite clearly that the document was not public , it was not published , and in fact it was not published until the 17th of May and I don ’ t think that it is acceptable that the Tánaiste is hiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a document to a friend ” which “ was marked confidential .
He wrote himself in his own handwriting on the front of the document ` subject to change ’ , ” Mr Cullinane said .
“ All of this smacks of insiders again , of Fine Gael looking after friends , of Leo looking after friends , doing favours as opposed to doing what ’ s right and I think he has to come clean , he has to acknowledge and accept this was inappropriate , ” he said .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in defence of the Tánaiste .
“ He ( Mr Donohoe ) hasn ’ t said this was wrong .
“ He hasn ’ t said this was unacceptable .
He hasn ’ t said this was inappropriate and by the way this was about a very , very sensitive negotiation that involved huge amounts of taxpayers money .
“ I think people looking in are sick and tired of politics when its about insiders , is about who you know , favours for friends .
It ’ s about how Fine Gael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Fine Gael does business , ” he said .
He asked “ how many more times was an inappropriate channel used by the Tánaiste when he was Taoiseach and indeed now as Tánaiste ?
”

Former minister and Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen said Leo Varadkar appeared to have made an ‘an inadvertent mistake he should learn from and move on’.
Former minister for agriculture Barry Cowen has said Leo Varadkar is "entitled to make a mistake" and does not believe "a grave should be prepared" for the Tánaiste as a result of the contract controversy.
Mr Varadkar shared confidential information with a rival body during Government negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) in April 2019, it emerged following a report in Village Magazine.
Mr Cowen, who was sacked as Minister for Agriculture over the summer following controversy emanating from a historic drink-driving incident, said that in sharing details of a draft €210 million deal with family doctors with a rival GP group, Mr Varadkar had made a mistake “with good intentions, if that’s possible”.
“I wouldn’t dance on his grave,” he said, “I don’t believe a grave should be prepared on that in this instance.”
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Mr Cowen’s intervention will be seen as significant as he was removed from office after a political controversy earlier this year.
Political sources had speculated Mr Cowen's attitude to the controversy would be an important bellwether for how the wider Fianna Fáil party would react.
“It would appear it was a mistake with good intentions if that’s possible, in that you can imagine the anxiousness to get that process (the GP contract) to bed,” Mr Cowen said.
“It’s an inadvertent mistake he should learn from and move on, there’s more important issues facing the country right now.”
Closed ranks
His comments come as Ministers closed ranks on Sunday around the Tánaiste. Speaking to RTÉ radio, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said the draft deal was shared by the Tánaiste “after agreement had been reached on that particular new GP (General Practitioners) contract.”
What we were looking to do was get agreement from GPs to its implementation,” he said. “It was after a press conference had been done on the agreement.
It was after the government had agreed to the new agreement and the details that we were referring to were being broadly circulated and indeed broadly reported on,” he Mr Donohoe said.
Mr Varadkar has rejected allegations in Village magazine which claimed he acted unlawfully in providing a copy of the draft pay deal agreement with the IMO to the rival National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) representative group for doctors.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s This Week programme on Sunday Mr Donohoe said the Tánaiste had acknowledged “the way that information was shared was not best practice. He’s also made very clear that he will go into the Dáil to answer questions in relation to this.”
Questions posed by other party leaders in Government “of course will be answered,” the Minister said.
“I’ve been involved in countless negotiations on his behalf and on behalf of the Government and at all times he and he has been guided by doing the right thing by the exchequer and, in this case, by patients and GPs,” Mr Donohoe said.
Minister for Education Norma Foley said the Taoiseach has made clear that “this was not best practice.”
Mr Varadkar “has also acknowledged the need to come before the Dáil next week to make a statement and indeed, more importantly, perhaps also too to answer questions. I think that’s the right forum, he’s answerable to the Dáil,” she said.
The Tánaiste “needs to give a very frank and, in fairness, I acknowledged he has already made a detailed statement, she added.
‘Hiding’
Sinn Féin Health spokesman David Cullinane rejected Mr Varadkar’s view that the document was not confidential when circulated.
“That’s at odds with the Dáil record.
“First of all, as leader of Fine Gael, Leo confirmed that he leaked the document. The document was not public and that’s at odds with the Dáil record.
“We had any amount of Opposition health spokespeople from Louise O’Reilly from Sinn Féin to the current Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly say quite clearly that the document was not public, it was not published, and in fact it was not published until the 17th of May and I don’t think that it is acceptable that the Tánaiste is hiding behind lame excuses.”
He “passed on a document to a friend” which “was marked confidential. He wrote himself in his own handwriting on the front of the document `subject to change’,” Mr Cullinane said.
“All of this smacks of insiders again, of Fine Gael looking after friends, of Leo looking after friends, doing favours as opposed to doing what’s right and I think he has to come clean, he has to acknowledge and accept this was inappropriate,” he said.
Mr Cullinane also criticised comments by Mr Donohoe in defence of the Tánaiste. “He (Mr Donohoe) hasn’t said this was wrong.
“He hasn’t said this was unacceptable. He hasn’t said this was inappropriate and by the way this was about a very,very sensitive negotiation that involved huge amounts of taxpayers money.
“I think people looking in are sick and tired of politics when its about insiders, is about who you know, favours for friends. It’s about how Fine Gael does business and how Leo as leader of Fine Gael does business,” he said.
He asked “how many more times was an inappropriate channel used by the Tánaiste when he was Taoiseach and indeed now as Tánaiste?”


theirishtimes--2020-11-01--Early exit from Level 5 ‘unlikely’ as State reports 552 Covid-19 cases

The National Public Health Emergency Team reported a further 552 confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Sunday , as one of its members warned any early exit from lockdown appears unlikely .
There have now been a total of 62,002 coronavirus infections in the Republic .
Two further deaths were reported , bringing the total to 1,915 .
Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of six confirmed cases and the total case number of 62,002 confirmed cases reflects that fact .
Of the new cases confirmed , 63 per cent were among people under 45 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age ; 275 were men and 275 were women .
Some 173 cases were located in Dublin , followed by 86 in Cork , 40 in Limerick and 30 in Donegal .
The remaining 223 cases were spread across all other counties .
As of 2pm on Sunday , 330 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised , of which 47 are in intensive care .
There have been 17 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours .
The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population across the State stands at 253.5 .
Cavan has a 14-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s incidence rate is 106.1 .
The lowest national 14-day incidence rate was on July 3rd when the rate was 2.98 cases per 100,000 population .
There were 19 coronavirus deaths recorded in Northern Ireland over the weekend , according to the latest figures from the North ’ s Department of Finance .
The department reported 11 deaths on Saturday and eight on Sunday , taking the Covid-19 death toll past the 700 mark to 716 .
Northern Ireland also is seeing a gradual drop in the number of Covid cases .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 685 on Sunday , bringing the total to 39,116 .
This compares with 896 cases on the previous Sunday and 923 on the previous Saturday .
There were 5,145 positive cases reported in the past seven days .
There are now 361 patients in Northern Ireland hospitals receiving coronavirus treatment with 48 in intensive care units and 41 of them on ventilators .
Mid Ulster with 449 cases experienced the highest number of cases per 100,000 of population over seven days .
It was followed by Derry and Strabane with 354 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of cases per 100,000 over the past week in the whole of Northern Ireland was 273 .
Meanwhile , chairman of the National Public Health Emergency Team ’ s Covid-19 expert advisory group , Dr Cillian De Gascun , has warned that any early exit from Level 5 restrictions appears unlikely .
He said while the number of daily confirmed cases had fallen significantly in recent days they were still much higher than during the summer and this would lead to more hospital admissions and deaths in the weeks ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases currently being recorded was most likely attributed to enhanced Level 3 restrictions and he added that the move to Level 5 was essential to bring the numbers down further .
He said generally after restrictions are introduced it took between 10 and 14 days for an impact to be felt .
“ What we have seen is the decline in cases probably started as a result of enhanced level three restrictions , ” he said .
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 at lunchtime he said “ we won ’ t have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it ’ s likely what we saw as a result of the national Level 3 and then the localised Level 4 up around the Border started to have an impact ” .
He said Level 3 restrictions in isolation could bring the R number – or the rate the virus is reproducing – to one , but that would still see many hundreds of new cases a day .
He added while Level 3 measures were starting to work it would not suppress the illness and would stablise it at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six-week programme to get to as low as possible , ” he said , adding that the aim was to get the case numbers and rate of reproduction down as low as possible in December to ensure the benefit of the restrictions was felt for the longest possible time subsequently , Earlier , HSE chief executive Paul Reid cautioned against complacency , saying it was too early to say a corner had been turned .
He noted a significant drop in demand for testing which was attributed to a fall in the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the number of close contacts from six to under three .
Mr Reid said there had been 100,000 tests carried out last week , 20,000 less than the current capacity .

The HSE on Sunday cautioned against complacency in the ongoing struggle to contain the spread of coronavirus. File photograph: The Irish Times
The National Public Health Emergency Team reported a further 552 confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Sunday, as one of its members warned any early exit from lockdown appears unlikely.
There have now been a total of 62,002 coronavirus infections in the Republic.
Two further deaths were reported, bringing the total to 1,915.
Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of six confirmed cases and the total case number of 62,002 confirmed cases reflects that fact.
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Of the new cases confirmed, 63 per cent were among people under 45 years of age, with 36 the median age; 275 were men and 275 were women.
Some 173 cases were located in Dublin, followed by 86 in Cork, 40 in Limerick and 30 in Donegal. The remaining 223 cases were spread across all other counties.
As of 2pm on Sunday, 330 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised, of which 47 are in intensive care. There have been 17 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population across the State stands at 253.5. Cavan has a 14-day incidence rate of 590.7 while Leitrim’s incidence rate is 106.1.
The lowest national 14-day incidence rate was on July 3rd when the rate was 2.98 cases per 100,000 population.
There were 19 coronavirus deaths recorded in Northern Ireland over the weekend, according to the latest figures from the North's Department of Finance.
The department reported 11 deaths on Saturday and eight on Sunday, taking the Covid-19 death toll past the 700 mark to 716.
Northern Ireland also is seeing a gradual drop in the number of Covid cases.
The department recorded 649 virus cases on Saturday and 685 on Sunday, bringing the total to 39,116. This compares with 896 cases on the previous Sunday and 923 on the previous Saturday.
There were 5,145 positive cases reported in the past seven days.
There are now 361 patients in Northern Ireland hospitals receiving coronavirus treatment with 48 in intensive care units and 41 of them on ventilators.
Mid Ulster with 449 cases experienced the highest number of cases per 100,000 of population over seven days. It was followed by Derry and Strabane with 354 cases per 100,000 and Belfast with 334 cases.
The number of cases per 100,000 over the past week in the whole of Northern Ireland was 273.
Meanwhile, chairman of the National Public Health Emergency Team's Covid-19 expert advisory group, Dr Cillian De Gascun, has warned that any early exit from Level 5 restrictions appears unlikely.
He said while the number of daily confirmed cases had fallen significantly in recent days they were still much higher than during the summer and this would lead to more hospital admissions and deaths in the weeks ahead.
He stressed that the decline in cases currently being recorded was most likely attributed to enhanced Level 3 restrictions and he added that the move to Level 5 was essential to bring the numbers down further.
He said generally after restrictions are introduced it took between 10 and 14 days for an impact to be felt.
“What we have seen is the decline in cases probably started as a result of enhanced level three restrictions,” he said .
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 at lunchtime he said "we won't have seen the full impact of Level 5 yet, but it's likely what we saw as a result of the national Level 3 and then the localised Level 4 up around the Border started to have an impact".
He said Level 3 restrictions in isolation could bring the R number – or the rate the virus is reproducing – to one, but that would still see many hundreds of new cases a day.
He added while Level 3 measures were starting to work it would not suppress the illness and would stablise it at the current level.
“We have a six-week programme to get to as low as possible,” he said, adding that the aim was to get the case numbers and rate of reproduction down as low as possible in December to ensure the benefit of the restrictions was felt for the longest possible time subsequently,
Earlier, HSE chief executive Paul Reid cautioned against complacency, saying it was too early to say a corner had been turned.
He noted a significant drop in demand for testing which was attributed to a fall in the number of confirmed cases, the positivity rate and the number of close contacts from six to under three.
Mr Reid said there had been 100,000 tests carried out last week, 20,000 less than the current capacity.


theirishtimes--2020-11-01--Buses and trains for essential travel only, says transport authority

Public transport should be used only for essential journeys and customers should avoid putting pressure on space in socially distanced seating in buses and trains .
That is according to the National Transport Authority ( NTA ) which said on Sunday that social distancing policy was coming under pressure on some services , particularly at peak times .
Reduced capacity levels are in place on most services in line with the Government ’ s Level 5 restrictions which cut capacity to 25 of each vehicle .
The NTA said people have been left behind at bus stops and the problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the Dublin region .
NTA chief executive Anne Graham warned the situation could deteriorate when schools return on Monday .
She said the return of school children to public transport was “ likely to give rise to additional pressure .
We are anxious to make sure that customers are aware of the situation .
People who can work from home should work from home.
” Transport unions have expressed concern that public transport staff would be expected to police the social distancing restrictions .
The authority was asked by The Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been done to protect staff from abusive customers , and a response is expected .

The National Transport Authority warned that the capacity problem could deteriorate when schools return on Monday. File photograph: The Irish Times
Public transport should be used only for essential journeys and customers should avoid putting pressure on space in socially distanced seating in buses and trains.
That is according to the National Transport Authority (NTA) which said on Sunday that social distancing policy was coming under pressure on some services, particularly at peak times.
Reduced capacity levels are in place on most services in line with the Government’s Level 5 restrictions which cut capacity to 25 of each vehicle .
The NTA said people have been left behind at bus stops and the problem is most acute early in the morning, in the Dublin region.
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NTA chief executive Anne Graham warned the situation could deteriorate when schools return on Monday. She said the return of school children to public transport was “likely to give rise to additional pressure. We are anxious to make sure that customers are aware of the situation. People who can work from home should work from home.”
Transport unions have expressed concern that public transport staff would be expected to police the social distancing restrictions.
The authority was asked by The Irish Times to comment on whether anything has been done to protect staff from abusive customers, and a response is expected.


theirishtimes--2020-11-01--19 virus deaths in Northern Ireland over weekend

There were 19 coronavirus deaths recorded in Northern Ireland over the weekend , according to the latest figures from the @ @ @ @ @ Finance .
The department reported 11 deaths on Saturday and eight on Sunday , taking @ @ @ @ @ the 700 mark to 716 .
Northern Ireland also is seeing a gradual drop in @ @ @ @ @ .
The department recorded 649 virus cases on Saturday and 685 on Sunday , bringing @ @ @ @ @ This compares with 896 cases on the previous Sunday and 923 on the previous Saturday @ @ @ @ @ cases reported in the past seven days .
There are now 361 patients in Northern @ @ @ @ @ with 48 in intensive care units and 41 on them on ventilators .
Mid Ulster @ @ @ @ @ highest number of cases per 100,000 of population over seven days .
It was followed @ @ @ @ @ 354 cases per 100,000 and Belfast with 334 cases .
The number of cases per @ @ @ @ @ in the whole of Northern Ireland was 273 .

A sign in a closed shop in Ballycastle, Co Antrim as part of coronavirus restrictions. Photograph: PA
There were 19 coronavirus deaths recorded in Northern Ireland over the weekend, according to the latest figures from the North's Department of Finance.
The department reported 11 deaths on Saturday and eight on Sunday, taking the Covid-19 death toll past the 700 mark to 716.
Northern Ireland also is seeing a gradual drop in the number of Covid cases.
The department recorded 649 virus cases on Saturday and 685 on Sunday, bringing the total to 39,116.
READ MORE
This compares with 896 cases on the previous Sunday and 923 on the previous Saturday.
There were 5,145 positive cases reported in the past seven days.
There are now 361 patients in Northern Ireland hospitals receiving coronavirus treatment with 48 in intensive care units and 41 on them on ventilators.
Mid Ulster with 449 cases experienced the highest number of cases per 100,000 of population over seven days. It was followed by Derry and Strabane with 354 cases per 100,000 and Belfast with 334 cases.
The number of cases per 100,000 over the past week in the whole of Northern Ireland was 273.


theirishtimes--2020-11-01--Department refutes charge of forests as net greenhouse gas emitter

The Department of Agriculture has denied that Ireland ’ s forests are a net emitter of greenhouse gasses and insisted they remain “ a substantial and growing store for carbon dioxide ” .
In a detailed response to a report it commissioned the department said strong reactions to the findings “ are misleading insofar as they are looking only at one subset of the estate ” .
The paper concluded that Ireland ’ s forest estate – classified as “ managed forest land ” – had changed from a sink capturing CO2 during the 2012 to 2017 period .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a National Forestry Accounting Plan was prepared with the objective of informing Ireland ’ s inventory of national greenhouse gases for the next five years , as required by the European Union .
Managed forest land represented 54 per cent of all forests in 2017 and was predicted to reach 66 per cent by 2025 .
The extent to which emissions are occurring from that forestry category , when forests must act as a critical carbon sink to meet climate targets , was strongly criticised by Friends of the Irish Environment and climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national forestry policy was failing to fulfil its role in capturing carbon and this was being exacerbated by “ the wrong trees in the wrong places ” .
The role Irish forestry is playing in capturing CO2 was defended by commercial forestry sector spokesman Mark McAuley , who is director of Forest Industries Ireland .
“ In Ireland , our forests produce timber at three times the rate of Scandinavia .
They are a major carbon sink .
Forestry in Ireland is therefore already a big part of this island ’ s fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Irish forests are capturing 3.6 million tonnes of CO2 yearly .
The total carbon store is over 300 million tonnes .
This is testament to the policies of successive governments to plant trees and create a vibrant forest sector.
” Notwithstanding this , Mr McAuley said the sector is in crisis .
“ Tree planting has been decimated and our sawmills have run out of timber .
Jobs have been lost and companies are in danger .
This has been caused by the introduction of a new regime for forestry licensing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide the licences that are needed to plant trees and fell timber.
” While managed forest land , because of particular circumstances and timing , will be a small emitter over the upcoming period , the amount “ will be far outweighed by what the rest of the estate is storing and sequestering ” , noted the department .
Afforested land includes all forests that will be 30 years of age or less during the accounting period 2021-2030 , that is any new forests planted since 1991 and all new forests planted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that period they will be a significant sink for carbon dioxide , sequestering well over 1 million tonnes of CO2 per year , when harvested wood products are included , over the period 2021-2025 , ” it added .
Forests in the managed category include all forests that are older than 30 years of age during the period 2021-2030 .
It is estimated that over the period 2021-2025 , when harvested wood products are included , these forests will be a small net source of approximately 0.1 million tonnes of CO2 per year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recognise forests are replanted after harvesting and as forests mature the projection is that these forests will return to being a sink , ” it added .
Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Senator Pippa Hackett said : “ There is a climate crisis and whether we deal with it successfully will depend greatly on how we utilise our land in the future .
.
.
I fully understand the alarm with which many greeted reports on Ireland ’ s forests becoming a net emitter of greenhouse gases and I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation.
” Forestry has an important role to play in climate change mitigation , she added .
“ Forestry .
.
.
supports many thousands of jobs .
And I am very mindful of the importance of integrating the industry with other community and climate considerations as we strive to develop a new model for it , one which will work for all , while planting the right tree in the right place .
”

Managed forest land represented 54% of all forests in 2017 and was predicted to reach 66% by 2025. File photograph: Getty
The Department of Agriculture has denied that Ireland’s forests are a net emitter of greenhouse gasses and insisted they remain “a substantial and growing store for carbon dioxide”.
In a detailed response to a report it commissioned the department said strong reactions to the findings “are misleading insofar as they are looking only at one subset of the estate”. The paper concluded that Ireland’s forest estate – classified as “managed forest land” – had changed from a sink capturing CO2 during the 2012 to 2017 period.
The report entitled FRL 2021-2015: Ireland, a National Forestry Accounting Plan was prepared with the objective of informing Ireland's inventory of national greenhouse gases for the next five years, as required by the European Union. Managed forest land represented 54 per cent of all forests in 2017 and was predicted to reach 66 per cent by 2025.
The extent to which emissions are occurring from that forestry category, when forests must act as a critical carbon sink to meet climate targets, was strongly criticised by Friends of the Irish Environment and climate scientist Prof John Sweeney. They claimed national forestry policy was failing to fulfil its role in capturing carbon and this was being exacerbated by "the wrong trees in the wrong places".
READ MORE
The role Irish forestry is playing in capturing CO2 was defended by commercial forestry sector spokesman Mark McAuley, who is director of Forest Industries Ireland.
“In Ireland, our forests produce timber at three times the rate of Scandinavia. They are a major carbon sink. Forestry in Ireland is therefore already a big part of this island’s fight against climate change,” he said.
“Irish forests are capturing 3.6 million tonnes of CO2 yearly. The total carbon store is over 300 million tonnes. This is testament to the policies of successive governments to plant trees and create a vibrant forest sector.”
Notwithstanding this, Mr McAuley said the sector is in crisis. “Tree planting has been decimated and our sawmills have run out of timber. Jobs have been lost and companies are in danger. This has been caused by the introduction of a new regime for forestry licensing and a failure of this new regime to provide the licences that are needed to plant trees and fell timber.”
While managed forest land, because of particular circumstances and timing, will be a small emitter over the upcoming period, the amount “will be far outweighed by what the rest of the estate is storing and sequestering”, noted the department.
Carbon sink
Afforested land includes all forests that will be 30 years of age or less during the accounting period 2021-2030, that is any new forests planted since 1991 and all new forests planted over the next decade. “Over that period they will be a significant sink for carbon dioxide, sequestering well over 1 million tonnes of CO2 per year, when harvested wood products are included, over the period 2021-2025,” it added.
Forests in the managed category include all forests that are older than 30 years of age during the period 2021-2030. It is estimated that over the period 2021-2025, when harvested wood products are included, these forests will be a small net source of approximately 0.1 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
“However, it is important to recognise forests are replanted after harvesting and as forests mature the projection is that these forests will return to being a sink,” it added.
Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Senator Pippa Hackett said: "There is a climate crisis and whether we deal with it successfully will depend greatly on how we utilise our land in the future . . . I fully understand the alarm with which many greeted reports on Ireland's forests becoming a net emitter of greenhouse gases and I am very happy to see my department clarify the situation."
Forestry has an important role to play in climate change mitigation, she added. “Forestry . . . supports many thousands of jobs. And I am very mindful of the importance of integrating the industry with other community and climate considerations as we strive to develop a new model for it, one which will work for all, while planting the right tree in the right place.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-01--Man who died while kite-surfing on Dollymount beach named locally

A man who died while kite-surfing in Dublin on Saturday has been named as Ger Fennelly ( 39 ) .
An experienced kite-surfer , he got into difficulties while taking part in a charity event at Dollymount Strand at about 9am .
Emergency services , including the Coast Guard and ambulance services , were called to the scene .
He was removed from the water but pronounced dead at the scene .
His body was taken to the Mater Hospital .
“ Ger was out kitesurfing for the charity , Mental Health Ireland , ” his sister Elaine Fennelly said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dressed up for the event , for Hallowen.
” In statement , Howth Coast Guard said on Saturday : “ The Irish Coast Guard emergency operations centre this morning at 09.14 received a call reporting a kitesurfing incident on Dollymount Beach and requesting assistance for the National Ambulance Service and An Garda Síochána who were proceeding to the scene .
“ The Howth Coast Guard unit responded quickly and along with NAS and Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics provided first aid care .
“ The casualty was transported off the beach by Coast Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dollymount causeway.
” Mr Fennelly had been involved in kite-surfing for 14 years , according to the Piranha Triathlon Club of which he was a “ longstanding and respected member ” .
A tribute to him on the club ’ s website said Mr Fennelly had been an active member and “ friendly face ” in the club .
“ Ger volunteered his time and energy freely , leading out many Sunday spins and always helping with the club race .
“ Ger loved triathlon , representing Piranha at many triathlons around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a welcome sight at any club training session or race.
” It said Mr Fennelly had completed Ironman Barcelona in 2018 and had written about achieving the goal while also living with Type 1 diabetes .
“ Ger made a lasting impression on many in the triathlon community and will be sorely missed by all who knew him .
He had a wonderfully positive outlook on life , was a kind soul and a true gentleman , ” it said .
He is understood to be survived by his parents and sister Elaine @ @

A man who died while kite-surfing in Dublin on Saturday has been named as Ger Fennelly (39).
An experienced kite-surfer, he got into difficulties while taking part in a charity event at Dollymount Strand at about 9am.
Emergency services, including the Coast Guard and ambulance services, were called to the scene. He was removed from the water but pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to the Mater Hospital.
"Ger was out kitesurfing for the charity, Mental Health Ireland," his sister Elaine Fennelly said. "Some of the lads had dressed up for the event, for Hallowen."
READ MORE
In statement, Howth Coast Guard said on Saturday: "The Irish Coast Guard emergency operations centre this morning at 09.14 received a call reporting a kitesurfing incident on Dollymount Beach and requesting assistance for the National Ambulance Service and An Garda Síochána who were proceeding to the scene.
"The Howth Coast Guard unit responded quickly and along with NAS and Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics provided first aid care.
“The casualty was transported off the beach by Coast Guard 4x4s to an awaiting NAS ambulance at Dollymount causeway.”
Mr Fennelly had been involved in kite-surfing for 14 years, according to the Piranha Triathlon Club of which he was a "longstanding and respected member".
A tribute to him on the club’s website said Mr Fennelly had been an active member and “friendly face” in the club.
“Ger volunteered his time and energy freely, leading out many Sunday spins and always helping with the club race.
“Ger loved triathlon, representing Piranha at many triathlons around the country and abroad. He was always a welcome sight at any club training session or race.”
It said Mr Fennelly had completed Ironman Barcelona in 2018 and had written about achieving the goal while also living with Type 1 diabetes.
“Ger made a lasting impression on many in the triathlon community and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He had a wonderfully positive outlook on life, was a kind soul and a true gentleman,” it said.
He is understood to be survived by his parents and sister Elaine Fennelly.


theirishtimes--2020-11-01--Fourth SF resignation in wake of Covid-19 grants controversy

A Sinn Féin Assembly member at the weekend became the fourth person to lose their job over the payment of three £10,000 ( €11,000 ) Covid-19 business hardship grants to party offices in Northern Ireland .
On Saturday evening Catherine Kelly announced that she had tendered her resignation with immediate effect as MLA for the West Tyrone constituency .
The grants were erroneously paid to three Sinn Féin offices by the North ’ s Department for the Economy in late March and April .
They were not repaid until after BBC Radio Ulster ’ s Nolan Show raised the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led initially to Sinn Féin Senator and former Foyle MP Elisha McCallion and two party officials , one from West Tyrone and the other from the Upper Bann constituency , resigning from their positions .
The ineligible West Tyrone £10,000 grant , according to the North ’ s Department of Finance , was paid to a ratepayer named “ Maoliosa McHugh MLA – Strabane Sinn Féin Office ” .
His solicitor said that this money did not go to his personal account but to Sinn Féin ’ s West Tyrone account .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resign because he said when he became aware of the payment he directed that it be immediately repaid , but that his instruction was not carried out .
On Saturday , however , it emerged that one of Mr McHugh ’ s MLA colleagues in West Tyrone , Ms Kelly , was a signatory for several years to the account to where the money was lodged .
As such , she said , she “ had a responsibility to ensure it was operated to the highest standard ” .
“ That did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Kelly .
“ I believe that as a public representative this is not acceptable and therefore I have tendered my resignation as a member of the Assembly with immediate effect.
” She apologised “ unreservedly ” over the issue .
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she had accepted the resignation and that the “ party ’ s examination of the matter was now complete ” .
She added : “ The grant was unsolicited and has been repaid in full .
The failure to return the grant immediately is unacceptable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not discharge her duties as a public representative in this regard .
“ The incorrect lodgment of small business grants into three Sinn Féin accounts came to the attention of the Sinn Féin leadership over the course of Monday and Tuesday last .
“ As leader I once again acknowledge and apologise for the clear failure to immediately reimburse public money.
” Following a complaint by the DUP , the PSNI is “ considering the matter as to whether a criminal investigation is required ” into the three payments to Sinn Féin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been asked to investigate .
The grants were designed to assist businesses facing trading difficulties because of the Covid-19 restrictions .
The Department for the Economy said that 452 payments worth £4.5 million , from a total of 24,700 , were made incorrectly .
More than 70 have been repaid .
“ Work is under way to recover all ineligible payments , ” said a department spokesman .

A Sinn Féin Assembly member at the weekend became the fourth person to lose their job over the payment of three £10,000 (€11,000) Covid-19 business hardship grants to party offices in Northern Ireland.
On Saturday evening Catherine Kelly announced that she had tendered her resignation with immediate effect as MLA for the West Tyrone constituency.
The grants were erroneously paid to three Sinn Féin offices by the North’s Department for the Economy in late March and April.
They were not repaid until after BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show raised the issue on Monday, October 26th.
READ MORE
This led initially to Sinn Féin Senator and former Foyle MP Elisha McCallion and two party officials, one from West Tyrone and the other from the Upper Bann constituency, resigning from their positions.
The ineligible West Tyrone £10,000 grant, according to the North's Department of Finance, was paid to a ratepayer named "Maoliosa McHugh MLA – Strabane Sinn Féin Office".
His solicitor said that this money did not go to his personal account but to Sinn Féin’s West Tyrone account.
There was no pressure on Mr McHugh to resign because he said when he became aware of the payment he directed that it be immediately repaid, but that his instruction was not carried out.
On Saturday, however, it emerged that one of Mr McHugh’s MLA colleagues in West Tyrone, Ms Kelly, was a signatory for several years to the account to where the money was lodged. As such, she said, she “had a responsibility to ensure it was operated to the highest standard”.
‘I have tendered my resignation’
“That did not happen in this case,” said Ms Kelly. “I believe that as a public representative this is not acceptable and therefore I have tendered my resignation as a member of the Assembly with immediate effect.”
She apologised “unreservedly” over the issue.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she had accepted the resignation and that the “party’s examination of the matter was now complete”.
She added: “The grant was unsolicited and has been repaid in full. The failure to return the grant immediately is unacceptable. Catherine fully accepts that she did not discharge her duties as a public representative in this regard.
“The incorrect lodgment of small business grants into three Sinn Féin accounts came to the attention of the Sinn Féin leadership over the course of Monday and Tuesday last.
“As leader I once again acknowledge and apologise for the clear failure to immediately reimburse public money.”
Following a complaint by the DUP, the PSNI is “considering the matter as to whether a criminal investigation is required” into the three payments to Sinn Féin.
The Assembly’s standards commissioner also has been asked to investigate.
The grants were designed to assist businesses facing trading difficulties because of the Covid-19 restrictions. The Department for the Economy said that 452 payments worth £4.5 million, from a total of 24,700, were made incorrectly. More than 70 have been repaid.
“Work is under way to recover all ineligible payments,” said a department spokesman.


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--Covid-19: Number of HSE staff redeployed to nursing homes on rise

The number of health service staff redeployed to nursing homes fighting Covid-19 outbreaks has steadily increased over recent weeks , with more than 80 Health Service Executive ( HSE ) staff currently covering shortages in care homes .
At the start of October , some 56 healthcare staff had been redeployed to assist nursing homes , according to figures provided by the HSE .
The majority of these were sent to State-run nursing homes , with eight sent to assist privately run facilities .
By October 13th , some 70 HSE staff had been redeployed to nursing homes , 64 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six sent to private care homes .
Private or voluntary providers run about 80 per cent of the country ’ s nursing homes .
The number of redeployed HSE staff had increased to 85 by the last week of October , with 64 covering absences in State-run nursing homes , and 21 sent to help private providers .
Latest figures show that as of October 29th , 83 HSE staff had been redeployed to nursing homes .
The HSE has said it is providing intensive support to around five nursing homes dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra staff into the facilities .
Paul Reid , HSE chief executive , said on Friday the nursing homes in question were being kept “ under very close watch ” by health officials .
Staff shortages , due to healthcare workers contracting Covid-19 , or self-isolating awaiting test results , had a huge impact on nursing homes during the first wave of the pandemic earlier this year .
Nursing home residents account for about half of the coronavirus-related deaths in the State .
Many facilities faced significant outbreaks in March and April , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , major staff shortages , and lack of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) contributing to the virus spreading within centres .
Increasing numbers of nursing homes have reported fresh outbreaks of the virus in recent weeks , as high rates of community transmission have led to cases in residential facilities .
One nursing home in Co Galway , where 26 out of 28 residents tested positive for Covid-19 , complained about the lack of support from the HSE during an outbreak last month .
Patricia Mac Gabhann , director of nursing at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time it felt as if the facility had been “ abandoned ” .
The majority of staff in the nursing home had also tested positive for Covid-19 .
The high number of staff out sick had left one nurse and one carer looking after 24 residents , and 22 of those had tested positive for coronavirus .
Speaking to The Irish Times on Monday , Ms Mac Gabhann said the staffing pressures had now been resolved “ as our own staff are back from self-isolation ” .
She declined to state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths among residents , or how many staff had been absent with Covid-19 .
One person had died of the virus when the crisis at the nursing home was first highlighted .
When asked to comment on the current relationship with the HSE , Ms Mac Gabhann said “ the truth is I ’ ve said all I want to say ” .
Meanwhile New HSE figures show that the positivity rate of asymptomatic staff tested in nursing homes stands at 0.57 per cent , up from 0.38 per cent in the middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycle of fortnightly testing of staff in nursing homes , there have been 234 cases of Covid-19 detected out of 41,105 swabs taken so far since the cycle began on October 14th .
The positivity rate among nursing home staff has risen in line with the increase in community transmission of the disease over recent weeks .
The positivity rate stood at 0.13 per cent in July , 0.19 per cent in August and 0.33 per cent in the first half of October .
The mass testing of 569 nursing homes is regarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease to prevent outbreaks in residential care facilities , a congregated setting most vulnerable to the virus .
If infections are detected among staff , the HSE then tests residents in the nursing home .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) said on Monday night there were 103 deaths related to Covid-19 in October , of which 39 were nursing home residents .

The number of HSE staff redeployed to nursing homes increased to 85 by the last week of October. File photograph: Getty
The number of health service staff redeployed to nursing homes fighting Covid-19 outbreaks has steadily increased over recent weeks, with more than 80 Health Service Executive (HSE) staff currently covering shortages in care homes.
At the start of October, some 56 healthcare staff had been redeployed to assist nursing homes, according to figures provided by the HSE. The majority of these were sent to State-run nursing homes, with eight sent to assist privately run facilities.
By October 13th, some 70 HSE staff had been redeployed to nursing homes, 64 to assist in public facilities, and six sent to private care homes. Private or voluntary providers run about 80 per cent of the country’s nursing homes.
Hospital Report
The number of redeployed HSE staff had increased to 85 by the last week of October, with 64 covering absences in State-run nursing homes, and 21 sent to help private providers. Latest figures show that as of October 29th, 83 HSE staff had been redeployed to nursing homes.
READ MORE
The HSE has said it is providing intensive support to around five nursing homes dealing with significant Covid-19 outbreaks, which included sending extra staff into the facilities. Paul Reid, HSE chief executive, said on Friday the nursing homes in question were being kept "under very close watch" by health officials.
Staff shortages, due to healthcare workers contracting Covid-19, or self-isolating awaiting test results, had a huge impact on nursing homes during the first wave of the pandemic earlier this year.
Significant outbreaks
Nursing home residents account for about half of the coronavirus-related deaths in the State. Many facilities faced significant outbreaks in March and April, with long delays waiting for test results, major staff shortages, and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) contributing to the virus spreading within centres.
Increasing numbers of nursing homes have reported fresh outbreaks of the virus in recent weeks, as high rates of community transmission have led to cases in residential facilities.
One nursing home in Co Galway, where 26 out of 28 residents tested positive for Covid-19, complained about the lack of support from the HSE during an outbreak last month.
Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer. The National Public Health Emergency Team says there were 103 deaths related to Covid-19 in October, of which 39 were nursing home residents. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Patricia Mac Gabhann, director of nursing at Nightingale Nursing Home in Ahascragh, said at the time it felt as if the facility had been "abandoned". The majority of staff in the nursing home had also tested positive for Covid-19. The high number of staff out sick had left one nurse and one carer looking after 24 residents, and 22 of those had tested positive for coronavirus.
Speaking to The Irish Times on Monday, Ms Mac Gabhann said the staffing pressures had now been resolved “as our own staff are back from self-isolation”. She declined to state if there had been any further coronavirus-related deaths among residents, or how many staff had been absent with Covid-19. One person had died of the virus when the crisis at the nursing home was first highlighted.
When asked to comment on the current relationship with the HSE, Ms Mac Gabhann said “the truth is I’ve said all I want to say”.
Positivity
Meanwhile New HSE figures show that the positivity rate of asymptomatic staff tested in nursing homes stands at 0.57 per cent, up from 0.38 per cent in the middle of last month.
In the fourth cycle of fortnightly testing of staff in nursing homes, there have been 234 cases of Covid-19 detected out of 41,105 swabs taken so far since the cycle began on October 14th.
The positivity rate among nursing home staff has risen in line with the increase in community transmission of the disease over recent weeks. The positivity rate stood at 0.13 per cent in July, 0.19 per cent in August and 0.33 per cent in the first half of October.
The mass testing of 569 nursing homes is regarded as an effective way to catch the disease to prevent outbreaks in residential care facilities, a congregated setting most vulnerable to the virus.
If infections are detected among staff, the HSE then tests residents in the nursing home.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) said on Monday night there were 103 deaths related to Covid-19 in October, of which 39 were nursing home residents.


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--How to survive Level 5 Covid curbs? Stay as busy as possible

Maureen Meehan from Cootehall , Co Roscommon , has four daughters living close by , but when Level-5 restrictions kicked in she didn ’ t waste time agonising about choosing one and upsetting three when it came to creating a social bubble .
The 72-year-old talented artist had other things on her mind as the restrictions kicked in , as she was about to move her easel from the kitchen table into a new studio at her home .
But she knows she ’ s luckier than other people who live alone .
“ I am very lucky .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Cootehall and one in Carrick , ” explained the mother of five , who also has a son based in Dublin .
Last year , Maureen had her first solo exhibition “ which sold out in an hour ” .
So her daughters recently arranged that a studio be built onto the back of her house on Gloria Road , a place-name familiar to all fans of John McGahern who spent his boyhood in Cootehall .
“ I am calling it my Covid cove .
It should be ready in a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it will help the time to pass , ” says Maureen who reckons the key to getting through the weeks of Level 5 will be to stay as busy as possible .
“ I got an order for a painting today so that was a great start , ” she explained .
Having spent decades painting “ at the kitchen table ” , she is hoping the new space will take her mind off Covid-19 news even if she has fewer visitors between now and December .
On Wednesday , October 21st @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , three of Maureen ’ s daughters dropped in and she knows that however they organise it , they will ensure she has plenty of support in the coming weeks .
“ Two of them were out walking but they stayed at the gate and one of my daughters did the shopping for me .
They are being very careful and to be honest I am a bit worried myself so I don ’ t intend to go out looking for it [ Covid-19 ] .
” “ I miss my neighbours and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tea but I do think the social bubbles are a good idea because it could be lonely , ” said Maureen , whose husband John died almost seven years ago .
Phil Bye who lives in Knockvicar , Co Roscommon , has one daughter Lynne who will provide her with a social bubble throughout the Level 5 phase of restrictions .
The 80-year-old who has lived in Knockvicar for 10 years lost one social outlet earlier this year when the pandemic forced the closure of a local daycare centre run by Keadue social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , the company and the chance to sit down and have dinner with other people , ” said the retired nurse .
Cocooning wasn ’ t as bad as she feared .
“ I live in the country and neighbours were going back and forth on the road all the time and I could chat to them .
And I have a garden and I love watching the birds.
” Because of her medical background , Phil is acutely aware of the dangers of the virus .
“ I would not let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lynne and her husband living in Elphin which is only a 20-minute drive away so I am lucky .
The worst thing about cocooning was the feeling that it would never end and I suppose it hasn ’ t ended yet ” .
Julie Dockery , manager of Keadue social services , says shutting the daycare centre was hard but meal deliveries and daily phone calls to the service users have been key to countering isolation since March .
“ We ring them every day and sometimes twice a day , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drivers that while they may be rushing to deliver all the meals on time they shouldn ’ t run away .
It ’ s important to chat for even two minutes.
” She says social bubbles are a welcome development because Zoom and Skype are alien to many older people .
“ We are talking about people who live in rural areas where I remind them to leave their phones on the windows or they might not get signal .
Some don ’ t see anyone all day except the driver delivering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human contact is good .
”

Maureen Meehan, Cootehall, Co Roscommon: “I miss my neighbours and having people in for a cup of tea.” Photograph: Brian Farrell
Maureen Meehan from Cootehall, Co Roscommon, has four daughters living close by, but when Level-5 restrictions kicked in she didn't waste time agonising about choosing one and upsetting three when it came to creating a social bubble.
The 72-year-old talented artist had other things on her mind as the restrictions kicked in, as she was about to move her easel from the kitchen table into a new studio at her home.
But she knows she’s luckier than other people who live alone.
Hospital Report
"I am very lucky. The four girls are beside me, three in Cootehall and one in Carrick, " explained the mother of five, who also has a son based in Dublin.
READ MORE
Last year, Maureen had her first solo exhibition "which sold out in an hour". So her daughters recently arranged that a studio be built onto the back of her house on Gloria Road, a place-name familiar to all fans of John McGahern who spent his boyhood in Cootehall.
“I am calling it my Covid cove. It should be ready in a few days. I intend to hibernate there and it will help the time to pass,” says Maureen who reckons the key to getting through the weeks of Level 5 will be to stay as busy as possible.
“I got an order for a painting today so that was a great start,” she explained. Having spent decades painting “at the kitchen table”, she is hoping the new space will take her mind off Covid-19 news even if she has fewer visitors between now and December.
Tighter restrictions
On Wednesday, October 21st, the day before the restrictions tightened, three of Maureen’s daughters dropped in and she knows that however they organise it, they will ensure she has plenty of support in the coming weeks. “Two of them were out walking but they stayed at the gate and one of my daughters did the shopping for me. They are being very careful and to be honest I am a bit worried myself so I don’t intend to go out looking for it [Covid-19].”
“I miss my neighbours and having people in for a cup of tea but I do think the social bubbles are a good idea because it could be lonely,” said Maureen, whose husband John died almost seven years ago.
Phil Bye who lives in Knockvicar, Co Roscommon, has one daughter Lynne who will provide her with a social bubble throughout the Level 5 phase of restrictions.
The 80-year-old who has lived in Knockvicar for 10 years lost one social outlet earlier this year when the pandemic forced the closure of a local daycare centre run by Keadue social services .
“I miss that every week, the company and the chance to sit down and have dinner with other people,” said the retired nurse.
Cocooning wasn’t as bad as she feared . “I live in the country and neighbours were going back and forth on the road all the time and I could chat to them. And I have a garden and I love watching the birds.”
Countering isolation
Because of her medical background, Phil is acutely aware of the dangers of the virus. "I would not let anyone inside the door but I have Lynne and her husband living in Elphin which is only a 20-minute drive away so I am lucky. The worst thing about cocooning was the feeling that it would never end and I suppose it hasn't ended yet".
Julie Dockery, manager of Keadue social services, says shutting the daycare centre was hard but meal deliveries and daily phone calls to the service users have been key to countering isolation since March.
“We ring them every day and sometimes twice a day,” she said. “And we explain to the drivers that while they may be rushing to deliver all the meals on time they shouldn’t run away. It’s important to chat for even two minutes.”
She says social bubbles are a welcome development because Zoom and Skype are alien to many older people.
“We are talking about people who live in rural areas where I remind them to leave their phones on the windows or they might not get signal. Some don’t see anyone all day except the driver delivering their meals so any chance to provide human contact is good.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--How to choose your further education course

Choosing a college course is one decision – where to do it is a whole other question .
But , with Covid-19 upending so much about further and higher education , it ’ s one that students should consider carefully .
Róisín O ’ Donohoe , public relations officer with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors , works at Belvedere College in Dublin .
“ Students should bear in mind that , as in any other year , there are a range of options open to them , ” she says , pointing towards post-Leaving Cert certificates ( PLCs ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five to level eight on the National Framework of Qualifications ( NFQ ) .
Many of these courses provide pathways directly into work and on to degree courses .
“ Students need to consider that we don ’ t really know whether there will be a traditional Leaving Cert or predicted grades for the class of 2021 , ” says O ’ Donohoe .
“ We saw a variance in the CAO points this year because of calculated grades , leaving some students happy and others disappointed .
We don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you might have hoped for so , this year , it ’ s a good idea to be extra conscious of the pathways that could lead to your course of choice.
” Ms O ’ Donohoe says that , whatever route a student chooses , there will always be opportunities to take a different course or career path .
“ The idea of going into college , getting a degree and coming out into a career that you stay in for the rest of life is old and outdated .
These days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ careers.
” So , just how many further and higher education options do students have ?
These provide vocationally-based training to school-leavers and adults – meaning that the courses are largely , but not entirely , geared towards employment opportunities .
Usually full-time , they run for one or two years .
The number of courses is wide and varied and they include horticulture , computer game programming , sports therapy , animal care , animation , childcare , beauty therapy , computer software , retail studies and much more .
One big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleges of further education in cities , towns and villages , students rarely have to travel too far to study .
Many provide routes into third-level or give students a taster of a college course including areas such as pre-nursing , pre-university arts and humanities or pre-university science .
Ms O ’ Donohoe says that she is increasingly seeing high-achieving students opt for PLCs .
“ It ’ s a chance to dip your toe in the water for a year and see if you really want to make a four-year commitment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to transition between school and college and to pick up some independent-learning skills.
” Figures show that about 20 per cent of PLC graduates go on to higher education .
See thisisfet.ie for more information .
Apprenticeships , once largely confined to trades such as carpentry , motor mechanics and plumbing , have taken off over the past decade , with numbers rising from a low of 1,200 in the depths of the last recession to about 20,000 today .
Offering qualifications from level six through eight on the NFQ ( and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being rolled out ) , these give students a chance to earn money while they learn on the job .
Alan McGrath , director of apprenticeships and work-based learning at Solas , the further education and training agency , says the range of apprenticeships is broad and varied and includes but is not limited to : “ Being an apprentice means you ’ re an employee , which has to be attractive in the context of high youth unemployment .
And when you finish the course you ’ ll be coming out with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vary from one employer to another .
See apprenticeship.ie for more information .
Heavily orientated towards skills shortages and labour needs , graduates of traineeships stand a good chance of securing employment .
“ These courses can last from six to 20 months with about 30 per cent of learning taking place on the job , ” says McGrath .
“ The training and courses take place locally and there are facilities in communities across Ireland .
And if a trainee enjoys their course and wants to study more , there are progression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight courses .
Pharmacy , legal studies , horticulture , storytelling and documentary-making and engineering technology are among the many options available .
See thisisfet.ie for more information .
Once referred to as diplomas , these are “ ordinary ” ( as opposed to “ higher ” ) degrees .
Primarily offered in institutes of technology and technological universities , they are usually three years in duration and can be a progression route to a level-eight course – often simply by adding on a year .
The CAO points requirement tends to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good bet , and students are strongly advised not to ignore the level-six and seven sections of their CAO application form .
See qualifax.ie or careersportal.ie for more information .
These are the courses that will be most familiar to school-leavers , with level- eight-higher degrees offered in colleges , universities and institutes of technology .
You will find plenty of coverage about them in today ’ s Irish Times open day coverage .
See qualifax.ie or careersportal.ie for more information .
Whatever course you choose , and wherever you choose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Donohoe says these are the questions you should ask when doing your research : – How will this course be assessed ?
How much is based on practical work versus the written exam and how much is project-based ?
– What will I learn on the course and how is it taught ?
– If I ’ m doing an apprenticeship , will there be practical assistance in finding a placement and a job ?
What is the established recruitment process and what are the established career paths out of the apprenticeship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go ?
– If I am doing a level-five course , are there links to level-six and seven courses ?
Do those level-six and seven courses have links to level-eights ?

How many further and higher education options do students have?
Choosing a college course is one decision – where to do it is a whole other question. But, with Covid-19 upending so much about further and higher education, it’s one that students should consider carefully.
Róisín O'Donohoe, public relations officer with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, works at Belvedere College in Dublin. "Students should bear in mind that, as in any other year, there are a range of options open to them," she says, pointing towards post-Leaving Cert certificates (PLCs), ordinary and higher degrees ranging from level five to level eight on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Many of these courses provide pathways directly into work and on to degree courses.
“Students need to consider that we don’t really know whether there will be a traditional Leaving Cert or predicted grades for the class of 2021,” says O’Donohoe. “We saw a variance in the CAO points this year because of calculated grades, leaving some students happy and others disappointed. We don’t know if the points will be higher than you might have hoped for so, this year, it’s a good idea to be extra conscious of the pathways that could lead to your course of choice.”
Ms O’Donohoe says that, whatever route a student chooses, there will always be opportunities to take a different course or career path. “The idea of going into college, getting a degree and coming out into a career that you stay in for the rest of life is old and outdated. These days, graduates often retrain, upskill and move careers.”
READ MORE
So, just how many further and higher education options do students have?
Post-Leaving Cert courses
These provide vocationally-based training to school-leavers and adults – meaning that the courses are largely, but not entirely, geared towards employment opportunities. Usually full-time, they run for one or two years.
The number of courses is wide and varied and they include horticulture, computer game programming, sports therapy, animal care, animation, childcare, beauty therapy, computer software, retail studies and much more. One big benefit is that, with so many colleges of further education in cities, towns and villages, students rarely have to travel too far to study.
Many provide routes into third-level or give students a taster of a college course including areas such as pre-nursing, pre-university arts and humanities or pre-university science.
Ms O’Donohoe says that she is increasingly seeing high-achieving students opt for PLCs. “It’s a chance to dip your toe in the water for a year and see if you really want to make a four-year commitment, but it’s also a good way to transition between school and college and to pick up some independent-learning skills.”
Figures show that about 20 per cent of PLC graduates go on to higher education.
See thisisfet.ie for more information.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships, once largely confined to trades such as carpentry, motor mechanics and plumbing, have taken off over the past decade, with numbers rising from a low of 1,200 in the depths of the last recession to about 20,000 today.
Offering qualifications from level six through eight on the NFQ (and with postgraduate level nine and 10 apprenticeships being rolled out), these give students a chance to earn money while they learn on the job.
Alan McGrath, director of apprenticeships and work-based learning at Solas, the further education and training agency, says the range of apprenticeships is broad and varied and includes but is not limited to:
– Biopharma: lab analysts and lab technicians
– Construction: geodrilling, plastering, plumbing, carpentry and more
– Finance: accounting technician, insurance practitioner and more
– Hairdressing
– ICT: cybersecurity, software developer and more
– Auctioneering and property services
“Being an apprentice means you’re an employee, which has to be attractive in the context of high youth unemployment. And when you finish the course you’ll be coming out with significant workplace experience.”
Rates of pay vary from one employer to another.
See apprenticeship.ie for more information.
Traineeships
Heavily orientated towards skills shortages and labour needs, graduates of traineeships stand a good chance of securing employment.
"These courses can last from six to 20 months with about 30 per cent of learning taking place on the job," says McGrath. "The training and courses take place locally and there are facilities in communities across Ireland. And if a trainee enjoys their course and wants to study more, there are progression routes to levels six, seven and eight courses.
Pharmacy, legal studies, horticulture, storytelling and documentary-making and engineering technology are among the many options available.
See thisisfet.ie for more information.
Level six/seven degrees
Once referred to as diplomas, these are “ordinary” (as opposed to “higher”) degrees. Primarily offered in institutes of technology and technological universities, they are usually three years in duration and can be a progression route to a level-eight course – often simply by adding on a year.
The CAO points requirement tends to be slightly lower, so they can be a good bet, and students are strongly advised not to ignore the level-six and seven sections of their CAO application form.
See qualifax.ie or careersportal.ie for more information.
Level eight degrees
These are the courses that will be most familiar to school-leavers, with level- eight-higher degrees offered in colleges, universities and institutes of technology. You will find plenty of coverage about them in today’s Irish Times open day coverage.
See qualifax.ie or careersportal.ie for more information.
Your college choice checklist
Whatever course you choose, and wherever you choose to do it, guidance counsellor Róisín O’Donohoe says these are the questions you should ask when doing your research:
– How will this course be assessed? How much is based on practical work versus the written exam and how much is project-based?
– What will I learn on the course and how is it taught?
– If I’m doing an apprenticeship, will there be practical assistance in finding a placement and a job? What is the established recruitment process and what are the established career paths out of the apprenticeship?
– Where do your graduates typically go?
– If I am doing a level-five course, are there links to level-six and seven courses? Do those level-six and seven courses have links to level-eights?


theirishtimes--2020-11-03--The Secret Teacher: What’s the point of punishing students who won’t do their work?

Active learning is finally within reach and yet we risk letting it slip through our fingers .
For years now educational thought has been promoting what students can do for themselves , but that ’ s yet to be reflected in many Irish schools .
The masked armies that fill our classrooms wait for us , the teachers , to get the show on the road .
But it ’ s important they realise that they themselves are the show .
One of the very strongest cords in Irish education history is the bond that ties teaching and learning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented us with an opportunity to sever it once and for all , unless teachers actually enjoy being bound by the shackles of having to know how Johnny or Mary is getting on and what more we can do for them .
Teachers contribute to this unhealthy dynamic by chasing up students ’ work and punishing those who don ’ t do it .
What is that teaching adolescents ?
Certainly very little that will be of any service to them in the world of work .
There they will either get on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job to someone else .
The amount of time wasted on trying to make someone do something they obviously aren ’ t willing to do seems ridiculous , not to mention futile , as very often the person is deliberately not doing it .
In sincere cases the work materialises soon enough – often accompanied by an apology .
This validates following up missing work , but actively striving to make repeat offenders turn good is something which needs to be taken on very cautiously .
Not least because the eager learners are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 200 students per week , and that generates both volume and variety in the explanations and excuses I hear .
These don ’ t change with the years either , although the greater emphasis on digital technology as a result of moving online has introduced new twists on an old script , “ I thought you said it was for tomorrow ” being a real favourite , hotly followed by “ I did the wrong one ” .
It goes without saying that there are various versions of the work not being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s in my other copy ” , “ I did it on a page and I can ’ t find it ” , “ It ’ s at home ” .
I always like it when this one expands into daring to show horror at my scepticism , as though the evidence that it ’ s been done is under my nose and I ’ m refusing to see it .
Reality check : my doubts are entirely grounded in evidence ; your defence is grounded in literally zero reality if there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaging in those exchanges conditions the students to lead us into them .
“ No work in the room , fine – I ’ ll move on to someone who does have it ” would be a perfectly healthy response .
The single biggest evidence we have that the focus is skewed right up the education ladder lies in where the additional work and pressure landed this summer .
Leaving Cert students left school on March 12th , and it is difficult to know what they did in the subsequent weeks .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , merely an observation that from a learning perspective we literally don ’ t know what they were doing .
And yet they were the ones being academically tested .
The country is united in sympathising with the Leaving Cert class of 2020 , and nothing in this piece is intended to counter that , but the pressures and strains they faced were not academic .
Their passage to university was devoid of the demonstration of learning that normally accompanies this milestone event .
The teaching had occurred over an 18-month period ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and measuring , and yet the pressure to deliver landed firmly back on those whose work had already been done .
( Is it any wonder that we collectively scratched our heads at this transferring of the burden on to us ? )
There is a famous graphic illustrating the importance of not judging a fish by its ability to climb a tree , a quote often but not definitively attributed to Albert Einstein .
The reality in classrooms all over the world is that sometimes the battle for the student is akin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tree .
We too rarely acknowledge that and meet the student at precisely the level of ability , motivation and desire felt on their side .
Instead we hurt the human connection by insisting that they do something entirely against their will .
We complain to their parents and assign punishments .
Think about the likely success of those measures , and ask yourself if punishing the fish would send it up the tree any faster .
There are learning opportunities here around how we teach ; teaching is not about making learners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coercion but about encouraging , inspiring and supporting .
Teacher-pupil encounters can be about small steps forward , realistic goals , perseverance and resilience .
Patience , kindness and empathy are then more effectively demonstrated in classrooms .
Don ’ t mistake this for a plea for less pressure on teachers .
It is an appeal to cut the unhealthy bond tying teaching ( the teacher ’ s job ) and learning ( the pupil ’ s affair ) , which is not what education is about .
Educere ( Latin ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop – a process in which active learners prepare for the realities which lie ahead in college and beyond

Active learning is finally within reach and yet we risk letting it slip through our fingers. For years now educational thought has been promoting what students can do for themselves, but that’s yet to be reflected in many Irish schools. The masked armies that fill our classrooms wait for us, the teachers, to get the show on the road. But it’s important they realise that they themselves are the show.
One of the very strongest cords in Irish education history is the bond that ties teaching and learning, and it needs cutting. Covid-19 has presented us with an opportunity to sever it once and for all, unless teachers actually enjoy being bound by the shackles of having to know how Johnny or Mary is getting on and what more we can do for them.
Teachers contribute to this unhealthy dynamic by chasing up students’ work and punishing those who don’t do it. What is that teaching adolescents? Certainly very little that will be of any service to them in the world of work. There they will either get on with their work or risk losing the job to someone else.
The amount of time wasted on trying to make someone do something they obviously aren’t willing to do seems ridiculous, not to mention futile, as very often the person is deliberately not doing it. In sincere cases the work materialises soon enough – often accompanied by an apology. This validates following up missing work, but actively striving to make repeat offenders turn good is something which needs to be taken on very cautiously. Not least because the eager learners are left waiting.
READ MORE
The single biggest evidence we have that the focus is skewed right up the education ladder lies in where the additional work and pressure landed this summer
I teach in excess of 200 students per week, and that generates both volume and variety in the explanations and excuses I hear. These don’t change with the years either, although the greater emphasis on digital technology as a result of moving online has introduced new twists on an old script, “I thought you said it was for tomorrow” being a real favourite, hotly followed by “I did the wrong one”.
It goes without saying that there are various versions of the work not being in the room: “It’s in my other copy”, “I did it on a page and I can’t find it”, “It’s at home”. I always like it when this one expands into daring to show horror at my scepticism, as though the evidence that it’s been done is under my nose and I’m refusing to see it.
Reality check: my doubts are entirely grounded in evidence; your defence is grounded in literally zero reality if there is no work in the room. Just engaging in those exchanges conditions the students to lead us into them. “No work in the room, fine – I’ll move on to someone who does have it” would be a perfectly healthy response.
The single biggest evidence we have that the focus is skewed right up the education ladder lies in where the additional work and pressure landed this summer. Leaving Cert students left school on March 12th, and it is difficult to know what they did in the subsequent weeks.
That isn’t a slur on anyone, merely an observation that from a learning perspective we literally don’t know what they were doing. And yet they were the ones being academically tested.
The country is united in sympathising with the Leaving Cert class of 2020, and nothing in this piece is intended to counter that, but the pressures and strains they faced were not academic. Their passage to university was devoid of the demonstration of learning that normally accompanies this milestone event. The teaching had occurred over an 18-month period; it was the learning that needed airing and measuring, and yet the pressure to deliver landed firmly back on those whose work had already been done. (Is it any wonder that we collectively scratched our heads at this transferring of the burden on to us?)
Teacher-pupil encounters can be about small steps forward, realistic goals, perseverance and resilience
There is a famous graphic illustrating the importance of not judging a fish by its ability to climb a tree, a quote often but not definitively attributed to Albert Einstein. The reality in classrooms all over the world is that sometimes the battle for the student is akin to teaching a fish to climb a tree.
We too rarely acknowledge that and meet the student at precisely the level of ability, motivation and desire felt on their side. Instead we hurt the human connection by insisting that they do something entirely against their will. We complain to their parents and assign punishments. Think about the likely success of those measures, and ask yourself if punishing the fish would send it up the tree any faster.
There are learning opportunities here around how we teach; teaching is not about making learners learn, it’s not about coercion but about encouraging, inspiring and supporting. Teacher-pupil encounters can be about small steps forward, realistic goals, perseverance and resilience. Patience, kindness and empathy are then more effectively demonstrated in classrooms.
Don’t mistake this for a plea for less pressure on teachers. It is an appeal to cut the unhealthy bond tying teaching (the teacher’s job) and learning (the pupil’s affair), which is not what education is about.
Educere (Latin): to lead forth, bring out, develop – a process in which active learners prepare for the realities which lie ahead in college and beyond