theirishtimes--2020-09-28--Trump envoy plays down risk of UK’s contentious Brexit Bill to North peace

Donald Trump ’ s envoy for Northern Ireland has downplayed the risk of a UK law threatening the peace agreement saying the Bill was “ a safety net ” in case no EU-UK trade deal is agreed .
US special envoy Mick Mulvaney said that Britain ’ s Internal Market Bill was a “ contingent plan ” that “ would only become relevant if there is no underlying , larger EU-UK agreement.
” The relevance of the Bill , which the UK has said would breach the Brexit withdrawal agreement , would be become “ more relevant ” with every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is contingency plan .
It is a safety net that would only become relevant if there is no underlying , larger EU-UK agreement , ” said Mr Mulvaney on his first visit as envoy to Dublin .
The “ contingent nature ” of the Bill is “ lost on too many folks , ” he said .
Mr Mulvaney will meet Taoiseach Micheál Martin later today and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald before travelling to Belfast to meet Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
EU and UK officials meet this week for the ninth round of negotiations on a future relationship as the clock ticks down to the expiry of the standstill transition period at the end of the year .
The UK government has introduced the Internal Market Bill that could overrule the Brexit deal by not adhering to state aid rules and export declaration arrangements for Northern Ireland .
Speaking a day after meeting Northern Ireland secretary of state Brandon Lewis in Belfast , Mr Mulvaney said that he and Mr Lewis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible by the end of the year because “ everyone recognises that the stakes are too high to have nothing.
” “ We have a situation where there is so much to be lost by not having an agreement , politicians usually muddle together at the end to get an agreement .
It is not pretty and it is certainly not efficient .
To an outsider , it looks like a big breakdown in process but that is the process , ” he said .
The envoy , an Irish-American , said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ familiar with the fragility of the peace process in the North.
” Mr Mulvaney said he pressed Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney during their earlier meeting on Monday morning on whether Europeans “ shared an awareness ” of the risks of the reimposition of a hard border on the island of Ireland .
Mr Mulvaney said one of Mr Coveney ’ s assistants pointed out that one Portuguese minister had said “ the price of fish in Portugal is not as important as peace in Ireland.
” The former Republican congressman and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats should temper their views that the UK Bill could threaten the 1998 Belfast Agreement .
“ Some American lawmakers would be well-served to take a half-a-step back and look at it with cool heads , and realise that it is not an immediate threat to the Good Friday Agreement , that it is not an immediate threat to the institution of a hard border , ” said Mr Mulvaney .
“ Could it play a role in moving in that direction ?
Yes , which is why I am here to reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Good Friday accords.
” US Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats have warned that they will not agree to a future US-UK trade deal if Brexit imperils the Good Friday agreement .
Mr Mulvaney said he last spoke to Mr Trump about Northern Ireland about a month ago but he was reporting back to Mr Trump ’ s national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien later today and that he was also in regular contact with the White House chief of staff Mark Meadows .
“ The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agreement .
It has served so well for such a long period of time and was earned at such a high cost that we don ’ t want to go backwards from that , ” he said .
Asked about Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden warning that that agreement could not become “ a casualty of Brexit ” , Mr Mulvaney said he was “ right to raise ” the “ existence of that path ” to a failure of the peace deal “ if things go down ” but he was hopeful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was appropriate for American politicians to raise the issue .
But in the next breath , I think and believe that everyone ’ s also trying to work to make sure it ’ s it ’ s something that does not come to pass , ” he told reporters in Dublin .
Mr Mulvaney said the idea of the Government inviting the US president to Ireland on St Patrick ’ s Day in 2022 to mark the centenary of independence - as proposed by Fine Gael Clare TD Joe Carey - was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he would help push the idea back in the US .
“ Getting the president to come here is like pushing against an open door , ” he said .

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Simon Coveney meets US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland Mick Mulvaney at Dept of Foreign Affairs, Iveagh House
Donald Trump's envoy for Northern Ireland has downplayed the risk of a UK law threatening the peace agreement saying the bill was "a safety net" in case no EU-UK trade deal is agreed.
US special envoy Mick Mulvaney said that Britain's Internal Market Bill was a "contingent plan" that "would only become relevant if there is no underlying, larger EU-UK agreement."
The relevance of the bill, which the UK has said would breach the Brexit withdrawal agreement, would be become "more relevant" with every passing day no trade deal was agreed.
“It is contingency plan. It is a safety net that would only become relevant if there is no underlying, larger EU-UK agreement,” said Mr Mulvaney on his first visit as envoy to Dublin.
READ MORE
The “contingent nature” of the bill is “lost on too many folks,” he said.
Mr Mulvaney was due to meet Taoiseach Micheál Martin today and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald before travelling to Belfast to meet Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and visiting London later this week.
Ms McDonald said she had a “very useful” meeting with Mr Mulvaney.
She said she reiterated her “big appreciation” for the support for the Belfast Agreement and the rule of law from the US.
“There is an expectation across politics in Ireland that when agreements are made agreements are honoured,” she said.
Asked if Mr Mulvaney had given any commitments about the Trump Administration’s position if there is a no-deal Brexit, Ms McDonald said that he had “reiterated their stance which is to support the Good Friday [Belfast] agreement which is to ensure there is no hardening of the border in Ireland.”
She said the “ball is very much in the court of number 10 Downing St and we have a limited amount of time for the British government to step back from the brink.”
Internal Market Bill
EU and UK officials meet this week for the ninth round of negotiations on a future relationship as the clock ticks down to the expiry of the standstill transition period at the end of the year.
The UK government has introduced the Internal Market Bill that could overrule the Brexit deal by not adhering to state aid rules and export declaration arrangements for Northern Ireland.
Speaking a day after meeting Northern Ireland secretary of state Brandon Lewis in Belfast, Mr Mulvaney said that he and Mr Lewis still believe that a trade agreement was possible by the end of the year because "everyone recognises that the stakes are too high to have nothing."
“We have a situation where there is so much to be lost by not having an agreement, politicians usually muddle together at the end to get an agreement. It is not pretty and it is certainly not efficient. To an outsider, it looks like a big breakdown in process but that is the process,” he said.
The envoy, an Irish-American, said he believed the British government was “intimately familiar with the fragility of the peace process in the North.”
Mr Mulvaney said he pressed Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney during their earlier meeting on Monday morning on whether Europeans "shared an awareness" of the risks of the reimposition of a hard border on the island of Ireland.
Mr Mulvaney said one of Mr Coveney's assistants pointed out that one Portuguese minister had said "the price of fish in Portugal is not as important as peace in Ireland."
The former Republican congressman and one-time acting chief-of-staff to Mr Trump said Democrats should temper their views that the UK bill could threaten the 1998 Belfast Agreement.
“Some American lawmakers would be well-served to take a half-a-step back and look at it with cool heads, and realise that it is not an immediate threat to the Good Friday Agreement, that it is not an immediate threat to the institution of a hard border,” said Mr Mulvaney.
“Could it play a role in moving in that direction? Yes, which is why I am here to reflect my government’s commitment to the Good Friday accords.”
US Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats have warned that they will not agree to a future US-UK trade deal if Brexit imperils the Belfast Agreement.
Mr Mulvaney said he last spoke to Mr Trump about Northern Ireland about a month ago but he was reporting back to Mr Trump's national security adviser Robert O'Brien later today and that he was also in regular contact with the White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.
“The president is concerned about protecting the Good Friday Agreement. It has served so well for such a long period of time and was earned at such a high cost that we don’t want to go backwards from that,” he said.
Asked about Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden warning that that agreement could not become "a casualty of Brexit", Mr Mulvaney said he was "right to raise" the "existence of that path" to a failure of the peace deal "if things go down" but he was hopeful it would not happen.
“It was appropriate for American politicians to raise the issue. But in the next breath, I think and believe that everyone’s also trying to work to make sure it’s it’s something that does not come to pass,” he told reporters in Dublin.
Mr Mulvaney said the idea of the Government inviting the US president to Ireland on St Patrick's Day in 2022 to mark the centenary of independence - as proposed by Fine Gael Clare TD Joe Carey – was a "fabulous" and "tremendous" and he would help push the idea back in the US.
“Getting the president to come here is like pushing against an open door,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--Gardaí investigating Meath death not looking for another person or vehicle

Gardaí are not looking for another person or vehicle in relation to the discovery of a body of a man on a roadside in Co Meath on Saturday morning .
A 29-year-old Moldovan man ’ s remains were discovered in “ unexplained circumstances ” close to an electric scooter at Harmanstown on the N51 Navan to Slane Road at 2.50am on Saturday .
The man who was travelling on an electric scooter from the direction of Slane , was treated by ambulance services but was later pronounced dead , a statement by gardaí said .
A postmortem on the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not being released for “ operational reasons ” .
Following the postmortem , An Garda Síochána said they are not looking for any other person or any other vehicle in relation to this incident .
Members of the electric vehicle groups online said they believed it was the first fatality among drivers of electric scooters .
It is understood he was due to be married in the coming weeks and lived close to where the crash occurred .
Staff at Romayo ’ s Takeaway Restaurant on the Collon Road in Slane expressed their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their popular colleague who had only moved to Ireland in the last three months .
“ He was a very popular young man and was working here on Friday .
He was only in the country a few months , ” said a co-worker who did not wish to be named .
“ We are all shocked and just devastated that he is gone .
No one knows what happened.
” Gardaí in Navan continue to appeal for any witnesses or for anyone with information to come forward .
Gardaí continue to appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camera footage , including dash-cam , who were travelling on the N51 in Harmanstown between approximately 1.30am and 3am to make this footage available to gardaí .
Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Navan Garda station on 046 9079930 , the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 , or any Garda station .

The man was travelling on an electric scooter from the direction of Slane. Photograph: Seamus Farrelly
Gardaí are not looking for another person or vehicle in relation to the discovery of a body of a man on a roadside in Co Meath on Saturday morning.
A 29-year-old Moldovan man’s remains were discovered in “unexplained circumstances” close to an electric scooter at Harmanstown on the N51 Navan to Slane Road at 2.50am on Saturday.
The man who was travelling on an electric scooter from the direction of Slane, was treated by ambulance services but was later pronounced dead, a statement by gardaí said.
A postmortem on the man has taken place but the results are not being released for “operational reasons”.
READ MORE
Following the postmortem, An Garda Síochána said they are not looking for any other person or any other vehicle in relation to this incident.
Members of the electric vehicle groups online said they believed it was the first fatality among drivers of electric scooters.
It is understood he was due to be married in the coming weeks and lived close to where the crash occurred.
Staff at Romayo's Takeaway Restaurant on the Collon Road in Slane expressed their shock and devastation at the death of their popular colleague who had only moved to Ireland in the last three months.
“He was a very popular young man and was working here on Friday. He was only in the country a few months,” said a co-worker who did not wish to be named.
“We are all shocked and just devastated that he is gone. No one knows what happened.”
Gardaí in Navan continue to appeal for any witnesses or for anyone with information to come forward.
Gardaí continue to appeal for any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, who were travelling on the N51 in Harmanstown between approximately 1.30am and 3am to make this footage available to gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Navan Garda station on 046 9079930, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--Ireland’s travel green list reduces to four countries

There are just four countries on the new travel green list issued this week and none of them are popular destinations for Irish travellers .
Only Cyprus , Finland , Latvia and Liechtenstein are deemed to have Covid-19 figures low enough that Irish visitors will not have to self-isolate for 14 days on their return .
Just one flight flew to any of those countries from Dublin Airport at the weekend .
That was the Paphos flight from Ryanair to Cyprus , according to travel journalist Eoghan Corry .
Ryanair chief executive Michael O ’ Leary dismissed the list and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ cycle to Liechtenstein ” given that the country has no airport .
However , even Irish visitors to those countries face considerable restrictions and it will not be possible to visit Cyprus without having had a Covid-19 test 72 hours prior to departure and to demonstrate that it was not a positive one .
Irish people or Latvians living in Ireland must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival into Latvia .
The threshold for being on the green list is for a country within the EU/European Economic Area ( EEA ) area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 25 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 of the population over the previous 14 days .
The Government has said it will revise the green list on a weekly basis , according to how countries are faring in relation to the virus .
Currently Liechtenstein has a coronavirus rate per 100,000 of the population of 20.8 , Finland 19.3 , Cyprus 18.4 and Latvia 9.9 .
With the virus soaring across the continent the number of countries on the green list has decreased with Germany , Iceland , Lithuania and Poland no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 29.8 ) and Poland ( 32.5 ) are just outside the threshold for inclusion .
Currently , Ireland has one of the strictest travel regimes in Europe .
The EU is looking at standardising approaches to travel within the continent with a new traffic light system which is expected to be agreed at the EU Council of Ministers meeting on October 15th .
Countries with a 14 day coronavirus average of less than 25 cases per 100,000 and with a positivity rate of less than 3 per cent will be in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to self-isolate when or after visiting those countries .
Countries in the orange zone will be those with a 14-day rate under 50 per 100,000 and infection rate of over 3 per cent .
People travelling from countries designated as red with cases of more than 50 per 100,000 will still have to quarantine for 14 days or take a coronavirus test to prove they are negative .
While much of the focus continues to be on travel within the EU , the EEA and the UK , the new rules also envision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , with Australia , Canada , Japan New Zealand , South Korea and Thailand among those that could see restrictions eased early , although much of Africa and Asia are also faring considerably better than Europe – and although a lot can happen in three weeks .

Irish visitors to the four countries face considerable restrictions when they arrive. Photograph: Tobias Schwarz / AFP
There are just four countries on the new travel green list issued this week and none of them are popular destinations for Irish travellers.
Only Cyprus, Finland, Latvia and Liechtenstein are deemed to have Covid-19 figures low enough that Irish visitors will not have to self-isolate for 14 days on their return.
Just one flight flew to any of those countries from Dublin Airport at the weekend. That was the Paphos flight from Ryanair to Cyprus, according to travel journalist Eoghan Corry.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary dismissed the list and wondered if the Government expected people to “cycle to Liechtenstein” given that the country has no airport.
READ MORE
However, even Irish visitors to those countries face considerable restrictions and it will not be possible to visit Cyprus without having had a Covid-19 test 72 hours prior to departure and to demonstrate that it was not a positive one. Irish people or Latvians living in Ireland must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival into Latvia.
The threshold for being on the green list is for a country within the EU/European Economic Area (EEA) area is to have a rate of less than 25 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 of the population over the previous 14 days.
The Government has said it will revise the green list on a weekly basis, according to how countries are faring in relation to the virus.
Currently Liechtenstein has a coronavirus rate per 100,000 of the population of 20.8 , Finland 19.3, Cyprus 18.4 and Latvia 9.9.
With the virus soaring across the continent the number of countries on the green list has decreased with Germany, Iceland, Lithuania and Poland no longer on it.
However, both Germany (29.8) and Poland (32.5) are just outside the threshold for inclusion.
Currently, Ireland has one of the strictest travel regimes in Europe.
The EU is looking at standardising approaches to travel within the continent with a new traffic light system which is expected to be agreed at the EU Council of Ministers meeting on October 15th.
Countries with a 14 day coronavirus average of less than 25 cases per 100,000 and with a positivity rate of less than 3 per cent will be in the green zone and visitors will not have to self-isolate when or after visiting those countries.
Countries in the orange zone will be those with a 14-day rate under 50 per 100,000 and infection rate of over 3 per cent.
People travelling from countries designated as red with cases of more than 50 per 100,000 will still have to quarantine for 14 days or take a coronavirus test to prove they are negative.
While much of the focus continues to be on travel within the EU, the EEA and the UK, the new rules also envision a gradual lifting of restrictions for other countries, with Australia, Canada, Japan New Zealand, South Korea and Thailand among those that could see restrictions eased early, although much of Africa and Asia are also faring considerably better than Europe – and although a lot can happen in three weeks.


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--Coronavirus cases rise in most counties but rate of increase is slowing

Covid-19 case numbers continue to rise in most counties but the rate of increase generally is slowing , latest figures show .
Yesterday , the incidence of the virus was up in 15 counties relative to the previous day , and down in 11 , according to Health Protection Surveillance Centre data .
Relative to five days earlier , yesterday ’ s figures were up in 19 counties , down in six and unchanged in one ( Longford ) .
Over the five-day period , the incidence of the disease has more than doubled in two counties , Monaghan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties Donegal and Cork .
In contrast , the incidence in Dublin is growing only slowly now - 11 per cent over five days .
And in Wicklow and Waterford , two counties threatened with further restrictions , relative cases numbers have fallen in both the one- and five-day windows .
The highest 14-day incidence yesterday was in Donegal , at 185.3 per 100,000 people , followed by Dublin on 152.9 .
The lowest incidence was in Tipperary , at 20.7 , though this figure is increasing slightly .
The national incidence was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier .
Meanwhile , the number of hospitalised cases is relatively stable , with 108 confirmed cases last night , down from 110 the previous day .
There were 17 patients in ICU , down from 18 the previous day .
There are currently 48 free critical care beds , out of 272 which are currently staffed and open .
This morning , there were 192 admitted patients waiting for a bed in the State ’ s hospitals , according to the daily count by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Executive has warned the impact of Covid-19 on hospitals is as significant now as it was during the peak of the virus .
“ Although lower than our worst peak , the impact on our hospitals is as significant as we ’ re now trying to keep all of our other services running too , ” Paul Reid , CEO of the HSE , wrote on Twitter .
His warning comes as a further 430 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the State , the most cases in a day since 701 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no additional deaths were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) .
Senior Government sources have described the figures as “ very worrying ” and have expressed concerns about the growing pressure on capacity in the health service .
Intensive care consultant Dr Catherine Motherway has called for clarity over the exact number of intensive care beds that will be opened up under the Government ’ s Winter Plan .
The former president of the Intensive Care Society said she was uncertain whether the 17 ICU beds mentioned in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the extra capacity created during the pandemic .
There was also the issue of how the beds were to be funded and if they could be staffed , she told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
The extra intensive care and high dependency beds created in March had been provided with temporary funding , she said and there was an urgent need to know what funding will remain and how these beds will be staffed given the scarcity of intensive care nurses and the length of time it takes to train staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to run because of the staffing levels required , explained Dr Motherway .
The staff to patient ratio in ICU is 1:1 , in a high dependency bed it is 1:2 and on a ward it could be 1:6 .
Dr Motherway also expressed concern about the cancellation of surgeries because of Covid-19 and said this could mean a reduction in “ good outcomes ” for some patients .
Health professionals could only respond to what was happening in the community , she said , which was why the public response was important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they could , washing their hands , observing social distancing and keeping contacts to a minimum .
“ We need clarity on the extra beds , where they are so we can recruit.
” Separately , infectious diseases consultant Dr Eoghan de Barra has warned that the pressure on the health care system this winter will be “ like the flu times 10 ” .
The health service will cope , but it will be difficult , he told Newstalk Breakfast .
“ We ’ re in a much better place to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were learned in March , he said .
Dr Mick Molloy , a member of the IMO consultants committee and a consultant in Emergency Medicine in Wexford General Hospital told the same show that cancelling elective surgeries had made the space to cope with Covid-19 earlier in the year , but it was now taking staff much longer to deal with each patient because of the protective measures they had to take .
Some hospitals essentially had a parallel ICU system to deal specifically with Covid-19 patients which meant there was a need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more consultants to be appointed to help with the flow of patients through hospitals .
Dr Clive Kilgannon , also of the IMO ’ s consultants committee , told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland that the winter will put extra pressure on the health care system .
“ We ’ re now heading into the second phase , the good news is that this time we know better how to treat patients.
” But he warned that everyone needed to continue to follow public guidelines to make a difference .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts .
“ What we all do now will have a disproportionate effect in a month ’ s time .
We need to move quickly now as a society.
” Dr Kilgannon called for the immediate implementation of the Winter Plan , the deficits medical staff and bed numbers needed to be addressed to avert a second wave .

The head of the Health Service Executive has warned the impact of Covid-19 on hospitals is as significant now as it was during the peak of the virus. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.
Covid-19 case numbers continue to rise in most counties but the rate of increase generally is slowing, latest figures show.
Yesterday, the incidence of the virus was up in 15 counties relative to the previous day, and down in 11, according to Health Protection Surveillance Centre data.
Relative to five days earlier, yesterday’s figures were up in 19 counties, down in six and unchanged in one (Longford).
Hospital Report
Over the five-day period, the incidence of the disease has more than doubled in two counties, Monaghan and Cavan. Cases have nearly doubled in counties Donegal and Cork.
READ MORE
In contrast, the incidence in Dublin is growing only slowly now - 11 per cent over five days. And in Wicklow and Waterford, two counties threatened with further restrictions, relative cases numbers have fallen in both the one- and five-day windows.
The highest 14-day incidence yesterday was in Donegal, at 185.3 per 100,000 people, followed by Dublin on 152.9.
The lowest incidence was in Tipperary, at 20.7, though this figure is increasing slightly.
The national incidence was 84.5, compared to 70.7 five days earlier.
Meanwhile, the number of hospitalised cases is relatively stable, with 108 confirmed cases last night, down from 110 the previous day.
There were 17 patients in ICU, down from 18 the previous day.
There are currently 48 free critical care beds, out of 272 which are currently staffed and open.
This morning, there were 192 admitted patients waiting for a bed in the State’s hospitals, according to the daily count by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
Significant impact on hospitals
Meanwhile, the head of the Health Service Executive has warned the impact of Covid-19 on hospitals is as significant now as it was during the peak of the virus.
"Although lower than our worst peak, the impact on our hospitals is as significant as we're now trying to keep all of our other services running too," Paul Reid, CEO of the HSE, wrote on Twitter.
His warning comes as a further 430 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the State, the most cases in a day since 701 cases were reported on April 26th, while no additional deaths were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
Senior Government sources have described the figures as “very worrying” and have expressed concerns about the growing pressure on capacity in the health service.
Intensive care consultant Dr Catherine Motherway has called for clarity over the exact number of intensive care beds that will be opened up under the Government's Winter Plan.
The former president of the Intensive Care Society said she was uncertain whether the 17 ICU beds mentioned in the plan were additional or part of the extra capacity created during the pandemic.
There was also the issue of how the beds were to be funded and if they could be staffed, she told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland.
The extra intensive care and high dependency beds created in March had been provided with temporary funding, she said and there was an urgent need to know what funding will remain and how these beds will be staffed given the scarcity of intensive care nurses and the length of time it takes to train staff.
Intensive care beds were very expensive to run because of the staffing levels required, explained Dr Motherway. The staff to patient ratio in ICU is 1:1, in a high dependency bed it is 1:2 and on a ward it could be 1:6.
Dr Motherway also expressed concern about the cancellation of surgeries because of Covid-19 and said this could mean a reduction in “good outcomes” for some patients.
Health professionals could only respond to what was happening in the community, she said, which was why the public response was important, everyone needed to be as responsible as they could, washing their hands, observing social distancing and keeping contacts to a minimum.
“We need clarity on the extra beds, where they are so we can recruit.”
‘The flu times 10’
Separately, infectious diseases consultant Dr Eoghan de Barra has warned that the pressure on the health care system this winter will be "like the flu times 10".
The health service will cope, but it will be difficult, he told Newstalk Breakfast. “We’re in a much better place to deal with it now” because lessons were learned in March, he said.
Dr Mick Molloy, a member of the IMO consultants committee and a consultant in Emergency Medicine in Wexford General Hospital told the same show that cancelling elective surgeries had made the space to cope with Covid-19 earlier in the year, but it was now taking staff much longer to deal with each patient because of the protective measures they had to take.
Some hospitals essentially had a parallel ICU system to deal specifically with Covid-19 patients which meant there was a need for more staff.
Dr Molloy called for more consultants to be appointed to help with the flow of patients through hospitals.
Dr Clive Kilgannon, also of the IMO's consultants committee, told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland that the winter will put extra pressure on the health care system. "We're now heading into the second phase, the good news is that this time we know better how to treat patients."
But he warned that everyone needed to continue to follow public guidelines to make a difference. “All of us need to redouble our efforts.
“What we all do now will have a disproportionate effect in a month’s time. We need to move quickly now as a society.”
Dr Kilgannon called for the immediate implementation of the Winter Plan, the deficits medical staff and bed numbers needed to be addressed to avert a second wave.


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--Thousands of at-risk young people miss out on vital services over pandemic – report

Thousands of children and young people who are most at-risk in society have missed out on vital services during the coronavirus pandemic , according to research published by the published by the National Youth Council of Ireland ( NYCI ) .
The most marginalised young people became the most disconnected from youth services and supports as a result of Covid-19 the report , A Review of the Youth Work Sector Response to the Covid-19 pandemic , found .
Of 256 services surveyed for the report , 14 per cent were unable to provide a service during lockdown , impacting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 59 per cent of the services surveyed had experienced a reduction in the number of young people with whom they engaged , with figures falling from 59,822 to 18,391 , a drop of 70 per cent .
Only eight projects saw an increase in engagement in “ virtual activities ” through the use of technology during the pandemic .
Access to virtual services was most problematic for children most at risk .
Youth workers interviewed as part of the research highlighted the challenge of trying to connect with younger age groups where these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online via a parent ’ s device and might be below the legal age limit for social media platforms .
The report indicated a high level of concern over the negative impact of the pandemic on young people ’ s mental health .
The sudden withdrawal of school and youth work provision was named in several interviews as a key factor on mental health , with young people left at home all the time increasing their isolation and loneliness .
“ For some young people who were already vulnerable or at a disadvantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing mental health problems , ” the report said .
“ Some already vulnerable young people became even more susceptible to unhealthy influences.
” The youth sector needed to get into a stronger position to meet current and emerging needs NYCI chief executive Mary Cunningham said .
“ Youth workers have been thrown into the deep end , yet have stepped into the gap and embarked on a steep learning curve to support young people and their families in whatever way possible within public health guidelines.
” Minister for Children Roderic O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had “ gone above and beyond ” to maintain contact and continue to provide supports to young people .
“ I know this has not been easy , and I know challenges will remain in the aftermath of Covid-19 .
But I would like to commend the youth work sector on their responsiveness and commitment to date .
”

Young people left at home all the time during lockdown increased their isolation and loneliness. Photograph: iStock
Thousands of children and young people who are most at-risk in society have missed out on vital services during the coronavirus pandemic, according to research published by the published by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI).
The most marginalised young people became the most disconnected from youth services and supports as a result of Covid-19 the report, A Review of the Youth Work Sector Response to the Covid-19 pandemic, found.
Of 256 services surveyed for the report, 14 per cent were unable to provide a service during lockdown, impacting on approximately 6,900 young people.
A further 59 per cent of the services surveyed had experienced a reduction in the number of young people with whom they engaged, with figures falling from 59,822 to 18,391, a drop of 70 per cent. Only eight projects saw an increase in engagement in “virtual activities” through the use of technology during the pandemic.
READ MORE
Access to virtual services was most problematic for children most at risk. Youth workers interviewed as part of the research highlighted the challenge of trying to connect with younger age groups where these young people might be reliant on going online via a parent’s device and might be below the legal age limit for social media platforms.
The report indicated a high level of concern over the negative impact of the pandemic on young people’s mental health. The sudden withdrawal of school and youth work provision was named in several interviews as a key factor on mental health, with young people left at home all the time increasing their isolation and loneliness.
“For some young people who were already vulnerable or at a disadvantage the pandemic has only served to compound existing mental health problems,” the report said. “Some already vulnerable young people became even more susceptible to unhealthy influences.”
The youth sector needed to get into a stronger position to meet current and emerging needs NYCI chief executive Mary Cunningham said.
“Youth workers have been thrown into the deep end, yet have stepped into the gap and embarked on a steep learning curve to support young people and their families in whatever way possible within public health guidelines.”
Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said the research shows youth services had “gone above and beyond” to maintain contact and continue to provide supports to young people. “I know this has not been easy, and I know challenges will remain in the aftermath of Covid-19. But I would like to commend the youth work sector on their responsiveness and commitment to date.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--Almost 100 Leaving Cert students had six or more subject grades lowered

Almost 100 Leaving Cert students had six or more of their teachers ’ estimated grades lowered under the Department of Education ’ s calculated grades process , new figures show .
The extent to which some students were disproportionately downgraded has sparked calls from Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill for “ compassionate ” steps for students affected .
A new breakdown of calculated grades figures show that , overall , 34 per cent of this year ’ s 60,000 Leaving Cert students did not have any of their teachers ’ grades lowered .
However , 32 per cent ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ grades lowered , while 20 per cent ( 11,663 ) had two grades lowered and 9 per cent ( 5,288 ) had three grades adjusted downwards .
A further 3 per cent ( 1,885 ) had four of their grades lowered , 1 per cent ( 488 ) had five of their grades moved downwards and 0.1 per cent ( 83 ) had six grades lowered .
A total of 11 students had seven or more subjects lowered .
Ms Carroll MacNeill said she had been contacted by numerous students who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated grades were lowered following the standardisation process .
“ The CAO points implications of this were huge for the students affected , ” she said .
“ I ’ ve been contacted by students who missed out on their chosen courses or didn ’ t get any CAO offer at all after being downgraded in multiple subjects .
“ Yes .
the numbers are small in the overall context of 50,000-plus students , but it has been very painful for these students and their families.
” She said she hoped some compassionate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these students .
Meanwhile , applications to sit the 2020 Leaving Certificate in November will open this morning .
The entry process can be accessed from 9am through the Calculated Grades Student Portal and those intent on sitting the exams have until 5pm on Friday to apply .
Subject to public health advice , the exams will begin on Monday , November 16th and conclude on Friday , December 11th .
One exam will take place on weekday evenings from 5.30pm , and two each on Saturdays and Sundays from 9.30am and 2pm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grades , anyone taking the exams will receive whichever is the higher grade from both processes .
Exam results from the written tests are expected in early February .
Those who opt to sit the exams and go on to receive an improved CAO offer on foot of the results will also receive a deferred college offer , and can start their course in the 2021/22 academic year .
The State Examinations Commission ( SEC ) said in a situation where a candidate who has already started first year of a course becomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chooses to accept it , attendance for their first year on the new course would remain eligible for free fees and SUSI funding where appropriate .
It is intended that candidates will sit their exams in the school where they had been entered last June and anyone who can not attend them can apply in 2021 .
There are some other key differences in the 2020 approach .
The SEC noted that it “ would not be feasible or practical at this stage ” to conduct oral or practical components , or to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the case of five subjects - Home Economics practical coursework ; LCVP Portfolio ; Design and Communication Graphics practical coursework ; Physical Education ( PE ) Physical Activity Project ; and Engineering practicals – coursework which had been completed prior to school closure will be marked and included in grading .
The published timetables for the exams will be available on the SEC website ( examinations.ie ) when the student portal opens on Monday .

Almost 100 Leaving Cert students had six or more of their teachers’ estimated grades lowered under the Department of Education’s calculated grades process, new figures show. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Almost 100 Leaving Cert students had six or more of their teachers’ estimated grades lowered under the Department of Education’s calculated grades process, new figures show.
The extent to which some students were disproportionately downgraded has sparked calls from Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill for "compassionate" steps for students affected.
A new breakdown of calculated grades figures show that, overall, 34 per cent of this year’s 60,000 Leaving Cert students did not have any of their teachers’ grades lowered.
However, 32 per cent (18,584) had one of their teachers’ grades lowered, while 20 per cent (11,663) had two grades lowered and 9 per cent (5,288) had three grades adjusted downwards.
READ MORE
A further 3 per cent (1,885) had four of their grades lowered, 1 per cent (488) had five of their grades moved downwards and 0.1 per cent (83) had six grades lowered.
A total of 11 students had seven or more subjects lowered.
Ms Carroll MacNeill said she had been contacted by numerous students who were distraught after several of their teachers’ estimated grades were lowered following the standardisation process.
"The CAO points implications of this were huge for the students affected," she said.
“I’ve been contacted by students who missed out on their chosen courses or didn’t get any CAO offer at all after being downgraded in multiple subjects.
“Yes. the numbers are small in the overall context of 50,000-plus students, but it has been very painful for these students and their families.”
She said she hoped some compassionate steps could ultimately be taken to assist these students.
Meanwhile, applications to sit the 2020 Leaving Certificate in November will open this morning.
The entry process can be accessed from 9am through the Calculated Grades Student Portal and those intent on sitting the exams have until 5pm on Friday to apply.
Subject to public health advice, the exams will begin on Monday, November 16th and conclude on Friday, December 11th.
One exam will take place on weekday evenings from 5.30pm, and two each on Saturdays and Sundays from 9.30am and 2pm.
For those dissatisfied with previous calculated grades, anyone taking the exams will receive whichever is the higher grade from both processes. Exam results from the written tests are expected in early February.
Those who opt to sit the exams and go on to receive an improved CAO offer on foot of the results will also receive a deferred college offer, and can start their course in the 2021/22 academic year.
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) said in a situation where a candidate who has already started first year of a course becomes entitled to a higher CAO offer and chooses to accept it, attendance for their first year on the new course would remain eligible for free fees and SUSI funding where appropriate.
It is intended that candidates will sit their exams in the school where they had been entered last June and anyone who cannot attend them can apply in 2021.
There are some other key differences in the 2020 approach. The SEC noted that it “would not be feasible or practical at this stage” to conduct oral or practical components, or to try to complete unfinished coursework.
However, in the case of five subjects - Home Economics practical coursework; LCVP Portfolio; Design and Communication Graphics practical coursework; Physical Education (PE) Physical Activity Project; and Engineering practicals – coursework which had been completed prior to school closure will be marked and included in grading.
The published timetables for the exams will be available on the SEC website (examinations.ie) when the student portal opens on Monday.


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--€10m announced for disability sector to resume supports and increase service days

€10 million in funding has been announced to support the resumption of day care and enhanced home support services for people with disabilities and increase the number of days such services are provided .
The funding announced by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister of State Anne Rabbitte includes €7.5million to increase the level of day service provision and €2.5million to provide intensive support packages for 210 children and young people with complex/high support needs , to remain living with their families .
There has been repeated criticism of delay in resumption of services for those with disabilities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Ms Rabbitte who has responsibility for disability services , acknowledged there was “ some way to go before disability services can be fully restored ” because of the requirement to operate under public health guidelines .
But she said the funding will “ increase day services by one day a week for over 14,000 adults ” and it was a step in the right direction towards full restoration of services .
Mr Donnelly paid tribute to the staff working in the sector and said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of the much-needed services have resumed since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic ” .

Minister of State Anne Rabbitte acknowledged there was ‘some way to go before disability services can be fully restored’. Photograph: iStock
€10 million in funding has been announced to support the resumption of day care and enhanced home support services for people with disabilities and increase the number of days such services are provided.
The funding announced by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister of State Anne Rabbitte includes €7.5million to increase the level of day service provision and €2.5million to provide intensive support packages for 210 children and young people with complex/high support needs, to remain living with their families.
There has been repeated criticism of delay in resumption of services for those with disabilities, which have not yet been fully restored in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minister of State Anne Rabbitte acknowledged there was ‘some way to go before disability services can be fully restored’. Photograph: iStock
Ms Rabbitte who has responsibility for disability services, acknowledged there was “some way to go before disability services can be fully restored” because of the requirement to operate under public health guidelines.
READ MORE
But she said the funding will “increase day services by one day a week for over 14,000 adults” and it was a step in the right direction towards full restoration of services.
Mr Donnelly paid tribute to the staff working in the sector and said that “through their innovation and flexibility, many of the much-needed services have resumed since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic”.


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--Third level students urged to consider if they need rented accommodation

As many third level students start their new academic year today they are being asked to consider whether they need to travel to rented accommodation in light of new restrictions which will limit on-campus activity .
In addition , several colleges have warned students that any breaches of Covid-19 regulations - including guidelines on the numbers who can attend house parties and other social gatherings - could result in expulsion .
UCC , UL and NUI Galway have all warned students in recent days that how they act in the coming days and weeks will have a direct impact on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requested all third level colleges to move as much teaching online as possible over the coming weeks in a bid to reduce student contact .
In most cases , only small-scale laboratory work or practicals are taking place on campus and most social gatherings or society events have been cancelled for the time being .
Union of Student in Ireland ( USI ) president Lorna Fitzpatrick has asked students to think about where they would be happier living and studying if they have little or no on-campus activity .
Ms Fitzpatrick said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start college on Monday and have secured accommodation , it ’ s important to consider whether you really have to travel .
If you have no on-campus activities , would you be better off staying at home and not moving outside of your region ?
“ If you are still at home and were planning to move closer to your college , or if you have already travelled , think about where you would be happier if travel is further restricted .
“ We are being asked to minimise travel as much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus.
” She said the USI was extremely concerned at the last-minute nature of the announcement , given that most students already had plans in place .
Ms Fitzpatrick said : “ This decision is coming very late in the day .
There are many students who have already started back and thousands more who are due to start on Monday .
This adds to what is and has been a very stressful time for many students and their families.
” As most college activity will now take place online for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of that period being extended , she called on the Government to act immediately to protect and support student renters .
“ Exactly one month ago today , USI called on the Government to introduce six emergency provisions to ensure student renters were not hit by a repeat of what happened in March when colleges and universities closed and deposits and prepaid rent were not returned and students had to fight for on-campus accommodation to be refunded , ” she said .
“ Now we are already looking at this becoming an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new guidelines , the USI is urging students to mind themselves and their classmates and friends .
Ms Fitzpatrick added : “ We are very concerned about students feeling isolated .
We know the impact it has on our mental health .
Please make sure to reach out to friends and stay in touch , we all need to support each other now.
” She said there were resources and support available by texting “ Hello ” to 50808 any time , day or night , to speak with a trained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and free service and we encourage students to use it when needed , ” she added .

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris announced the addtional restrictions on third level colleges on Friday. Photograph: PA
As many third level students start their new academic year today they are being asked to consider whether they need to travel to rented accommodation in light of new restrictions which will limit on-campus activity.
In addition, several colleges have warned students that any breaches of Covid-19 regulations - including guidelines on the numbers who can attend house parties and other social gatherings - could result in expulsion.
UCC, UL and NUI Galway have all warned students in recent days that how they act in the coming days and weeks will have a direct impact on the wider community.
The Government has requested all third level colleges to move as much teaching online as possible over the coming weeks in a bid to reduce student contact.
READ MORE
In most cases, only small-scale laboratory work or practicals are taking place on campus and most social gatherings or society events have been cancelled for the time being.
Union of Student in Ireland (USI) president Lorna Fitzpatrick has asked students to think about where they would be happier living and studying if they have little or no on-campus activity.
Ms Fitzpatrick said : “If you are a student due to start college on Monday and have secured accommodation, it’s important to consider whether you really have to travel. If you have no on-campus activities, would you be better off staying at home and not moving outside of your region?
“If you are still at home and were planning to move closer to your college, or if you have already travelled, think about where you would be happier if travel is further restricted.
“We are being asked to minimise travel as much as possible to help limit the spread of the virus.”
She said the USI was extremely concerned at the last-minute nature of the announcement, given that most students already had plans in place.
Ms Fitzpatrick said: “This decision is coming very late in the day. There are many students who have already started back and thousands more who are due to start on Monday. This adds to what is and has been a very stressful time for many students and their families.”
As most college activity will now take place online for the coming weeks, and with the risk of that period being extended, she called on the Government to act immediately to protect and support student renters.
“Exactly one month ago today, USI called on the Government to introduce six emergency provisions to ensure student renters were not hit by a repeat of what happened in March when colleges and universities closed and deposits and prepaid rent were not returned and students had to fight for on-campus accommodation to be refunded,” she said. “Now we are already looking at this becoming an issue again for students.”
In light of the new guidelines, the USI is urging students to mind themselves and their classmates and friends.
Ms Fitzpatrick added: “We are very concerned about students feeling isolated. We know the impact it has on our mental health. Please make sure to reach out to friends and stay in touch, we all need to support each other now.” She said there were resources and support available by texting “Hello” to 50808 any time, day or night, to speak with a trained volunteer.
“It is an anonymous and free service and we encourage students to use it when needed,” she added.


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--St Vincent de Paul charity prepares for tough winter as pandemic bites

Coronavirus restrictions have changed the way charities such as St Vincent de Paul operate but a surge in appeals for help with utility bills and food supplies is expected as winter approaches .
Noel Boyce , a member of the Crumlin and Kimmage “ conference ” group in Dublin , has increased the number of days he volunteers in order to keep up with demand .
In the past six months , his conference has assisted 600 people .
“ We normally would visit once a week , but since Covid , and particularly since the [ children are ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out every day or every two days , ” he says .
Instead of visiting people ’ s homes , assessments are now carried out by telephone , and vouchers sent in the post .
“ What we do now is we ring them on the phone and look at what their requirements are , ” he says .
“ The idea is that then you would post out the help but because I ’ m on my bike all the time , I normally just drop it into their letter box myself.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue its work during lockdown , operating by phone was “ not satisfactory ” , says Kieran Stafford , who was national president of the charity until recently .
“ Part and parcel of what we do is to go in and sit down in somebody ’ s home and spend some time with them and tease out what the root of their problems are and how we can best assist them in that , ” he says .
Mr Stafford believes the winter period will see an increase in appeals for help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is felt .
Measures introduced by Government , such as the pandemic unemployment payment and a ban on evictions , mitigated the initial blow of the virus , he says .
“ We expect to see more over the coming months and year as the full impact comes home for a lot of people who won ’ t go back to work , for people who have lost businesses , people who have fallen behind on their rents and are trying to secure their stay .
“ I think we have a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will continue to do what we can to help people.
” The lack of face-to-face interaction has made the charity ’ s task more difficult , says Marie Cronin , the organisation ’ s east region president .
“ It ’ s more time consuming now , there ’ s more paperwork , there are more phone calls , more effort.
” She generally begins her days at 6am , and could still be working until 10pm .
One day last week she worked for 14 hours , which she described as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent Late Late Show fundraiser was “ very good to us ” , Ms Cronin said .
The RTÉ show ’ s donation appeal in May raised more than €1 million for the charity .
They are “ still in the black ” but winter will be a challenge .
St Vincent de Paul will need to order Christmas food vouchers by the end of October , and affording them is a “ concern for us at the moment ” .
“ We can ’ t just go to one of the supermarkets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vouchers and tell them we ’ ll pay them in January .
We have to pay up front.
” Ms Cronin says the number of people in the Cherry Orchard and Ballyfermot area requiring food during the lockdown period rose from 120 to a peak of 400 , before “ stabilising ” at 300 .
“ Apart from the food we get from the Department of Social Protection that would feed about 120 a week , we actually had to buy in stuff .
For Ballyfermot and Cherry Orchard alone we spent just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge demand for nappies , too , she adds .

Coronavirus restrictions have changed the way charities such as St Vincent de Paul operate but a surge in appeals for help with utility bills and food supplies is expected as winter approaches.
Noel Boyce, a member of the Crumlin and Kimmage "conference" group in Dublin, has increased the number of days he volunteers in order to keep up with demand.
In the past six months, his conference has assisted 600 people. “We normally would visit once a week, but since Covid, and particularly since the [children are] back to school, we’re out every day or every two days,” he says.
Hospital Report
Instead of visiting people’s homes, assessments are now carried out by telephone, and vouchers sent in the post.
READ MORE
“What we do now is we ring them on the phone and look at what their requirements are,” he says. “The idea is that then you would post out the help but because I’m on my bike all the time, I normally just drop it into their letter box myself.”
Noel Boyce, who delivers vouchers by bike on behalf of St Vincent de Paul. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell
‘Not satisfactory’
While the organisation was able to continue its work during lockdown, operating by phone was "not satisfactory", says Kieran Stafford, who was national president of the charity until recently.
“Part and parcel of what we do is to go in and sit down in somebody’s home and spend some time with them and tease out what the root of their problems are and how we can best assist them in that,” he says.
Mr Stafford believes the winter period will see an increase in appeals for help as the true impact of the pandemic is felt.
Measures introduced by Government, such as the pandemic unemployment payment and a ban on evictions, mitigated the initial blow of the virus, he says.
“We expect to see more over the coming months and year as the full impact comes home for a lot of people who won’t go back to work, for people who have lost businesses, people who have fallen behind on their rents and are trying to secure their stay.
“I think we have a lot of tough days ahead of us but we will continue to do what we can to help people.”
More difficult
The lack of face-to-face interaction has made the charity's task more difficult, says Marie Cronin, the organisation's east region president.
“It’s more time consuming now, there’s more paperwork, there are more phone calls, more effort.”
She generally begins her days at 6am, and could still be working until 10pm. One day last week she worked for 14 hours, which she described as a “short day”.
The recent Late Late Show fundraiser was “very good to us”, Ms Cronin said. The RTÉ show’s donation appeal in May raised more than €1 million for the charity. They are “still in the black” but winter will be a challenge.
Christmas food vouchers
St Vincent de Paul will need to order Christmas food vouchers by the end of October, and affording them is a “concern for us at the moment”.
“We can’t just go to one of the supermarkets and ask them for €20,000 worth of vouchers and tell them we’ll pay them in January. We have to pay up front.”
Ms Cronin says the number of people in the Cherry Orchard and Ballyfermot area requiring food during the lockdown period rose from 120 to a peak of 400, before "stabilising" at 300.
"Apart from the food we get from the Department of Social Protection that would feed about 120 a week, we actually had to buy in stuff. For Ballyfermot and Cherry Orchard alone we spent just under €20,000 on food." There was huge demand for nappies, too, she adds.


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Almost a third of Garda firearm discharges found to be accidental

Accidental discharges account for almost a third of all Garda firearms use in the past five years .
Since 2016 armed gardaí have fired their weapons on 16 occasions , according to figures released by the Garda Ombudsman ( Gsoc ) under Freedom of Information legislation and publicly available information .
The Garda is obliged to report all non-training use of lethal firearms to Gsoc , including accidental discharges and incidents where no one was hurt .
Five of these incidents related to the accidental discharge of a garda ’ s firearm , including two incidents where the gardaí themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered life changing injuries after being accidentally shot in the face .
In one incident last June , a detective on guard duty outside the Israeli embassy accidentally shot himself in the leg .
Last year in Limerick a garda attached to the regional Armed Support Unit ( ASU ) required surgery after his handgun discharged accidentally in his patrol car .
In another accident in 2016 a garda on duty at Shannon airport fired their personal weapon accidentally but no one was injured .
In 2016 , Tomas Mikalajunas , who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participation in a string of burglaries in Limerick , was accidentally shot in the face by an ASU member .
Mikalajunas survived with life-changing injuries and later received a suspended sentence .
Despite a significant increase in the number of gardaí carrying firearms in recent years , incidents involving the use of firearms have remained steady .
Of the 16 incidents , two resulted in the deaths of a person , according to Gsoc figures .
One of these was Mark Hennessy who was shot dead by a detective after kidnapping and murdering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garda was later cleared of any wrongdoing .
The other was Det Supt Colm Fox , the lead investigator in the Regency murder case , who took his own life in Ballymun Garda station in February 2018 .
Three incidents resulted in the injury of suspects after gardaí intentionally fired their weapons .
By far the most garda shootings were in 2017 when seven incidents were reported to Gsoc .
In one incident , a detective shot and injured a man in Portobello , Dublin , who he suspected of having committed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of the elite Emergency Response Unit ( ERU ) shot and injured an 18-year-old-during a raid on a house .
An ERU member was also shot and injured by one of the occupants as gardaí entered the house .
So far this year , Garda members have been involved in two incidents , both in Cork , where garda weapons were intentionally fired .
In Mallow in May , a man was shot and injured by gardaí after allegedly driving his car at officers .
In July , ASU members fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on gardaí with a pellet gun , injuring one officer .
The man , who is currently before the courts , was arrested without injury after being subdued with a stun gun .
Many armed gardaí go their entire careers without firing or even drawing their weapon , said Sheelagh Brady , founder of security analysts SAR Consultancy and a former Garda sergeant .
“ The training really teaches you that you only draw your firearm where your life or that of others is threatened .
And I think members of the Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
“ We don ’ t hear of a lot of reports where firearms are used as a deterrent as we might hear about in other countries .
”

Garda training: Many armed gardaí go their entire careers without firing or even drawing their weapons. File photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Accidental discharges account for almost a third of all Garda firearms use in the past five years.
Since 2016 armed gardaí have fired their weapons on 16 occasions, according to figures released by the Garda Ombudsman (Gsoc) under Freedom of Information legislation and publicly available information. The Garda is obliged to report all non-training use of lethal firearms to Gsoc, including accidental discharges and incidents where no one was hurt.
Five of these incidents related to the accidental discharge of a garda’s firearm, including two incidents where the gardaí themselves were injured and one where a suspect suffered life changing injuries after being accidentally shot in the face.
In one incident last June, a detective on guard duty outside the Israeli embassy accidentally shot himself in the leg. Last year in Limerick a garda attached to the regional Armed Support Unit (ASU) required surgery after his handgun discharged accidentally in his patrol car. In another accident in 2016 a garda on duty at Shannon airport fired their personal weapon accidentally but no one was injured.
READ MORE
Accidentally shot
In 2016, Tomas Mikalajunas, who had been under Garda surveillance due to his participation in a string of burglaries in Limerick, was accidentally shot in the face by an ASU member. Mikalajunas survived with life-changing injuries and later received a suspended sentence.
Despite a significant increase in the number of gardaí carrying firearms in recent years, incidents involving the use of firearms have remained steady.
A member of the Garda Armed Support Unit, in Dublin. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Of the 16 incidents, two resulted in the deaths of a person, according to Gsoc figures. One of these was Mark Hennessy who was shot dead by a detective after kidnapping and murdering Jastine Valdez in Wicklow 2018. The garda was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
The other was Det Supt Colm Fox, the lead investigator in the Regency murder case, who took his own life in Ballymun Garda station in February 2018.
Three incidents resulted in the injury of suspects after gardaí intentionally fired their weapons.
By far the most garda shootings were in 2017 when seven incidents were reported to Gsoc. In one incident, a detective shot and injured a man in Portobello, Dublin, who he suspected of having committed a burglary.
In another incident in Ballymun a member of the elite Emergency Response Unit (ERU) shot and injured an 18-year-old-during a raid on a house. An ERU member was also shot and injured by one of the occupants as gardaí entered the house.
Weapons
So far this year, Garda members have been involved in two incidents, both in Cork, where garda weapons were intentionally fired.
In Mallow in May, a man was shot and injured by gardaí after allegedly driving his car at officers. In July, ASU members fired on a man who had allegedly fired on gardaí with a pellet gun, injuring one officer. The man, who is currently before the courts, was arrested without injury after being subdued with a stun gun.
Many armed gardaí go their entire careers without firing or even drawing their weapon, said Sheelagh Brady, founder of security analysts SAR Consultancy and a former Garda sergeant.
“The training really teaches you that you only draw your firearm where your life or that of others is threatened. And I think members of the Garda really take that seriously,” she added.
“We don’t hear of a lot of reports where firearms are used as a deterrent as we might hear about in other countries.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Prepare for six months of Covid-19 restraints, warn health officials

People should prepare for another six months of Covid-19 restrictions , involving repeated waves of the virus , senior health officials have warned .
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn last night warned there will be no “ going back to normal ” after the current surge in cases has been handled .
And there will be no “ significant game changer ” such as a readily available vaccine to relieve matters for the next six months .
HSE chief executive Paul Reid will today tell TDs that “ it is increasingly evident that we can expect , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of the disease .
With admissions to hospitals “ definitely rising ” , Mr Reid will tell the Oireachtas special committee on Covid-19 that “ a difficult winter season , coupled with a resurgence in Covid-19 , is the worst possible scenario for our health services ” .
Even with a vaccine “ the reality is that we will be dealing with Covid-19 for a long time yet ” and behavioural and societal changes are needed to manage the pandemic , Mr Reid will say in his statement to the committee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emergency Team briefing if Ireland was doomed to repeated cycles involving the lifting of restrictions as case numbers dropped , followed by their reimposition as infections increased again , Dr Glynn replied : “ I don ’ t think we ’ re doomed .
“ We have to be honest , we ’ re not going to have a vaccine , we ’ re not going to have a treatment , we ’ re not going to have any significant game changer for the next six months.
” Acknowledging this was “ not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , he said the “ vast majority ” of society was open at present .
“ Our schools are back , most workplaces are open , hospitals are open and people are getting treated .
So there ’ s an awful lot happening.
” A further 390 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) yesterday evening , with no further deaths from the disease confirmed .
Of the new cases , 209 are in Dublin , 27 in Cork and 22 in Donegal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were confirmed , leaving the State ’ s total at 1,802 .
The worldwide death toll was yesterday approaching one million , according to the most reliable international estimates .
Dr Glynn said case numbers were beginning to stabilise in Dublin but were rising fast in Cork , Galway , Monaghan and Roscommon .
Asked why NPHET officials would not be taking up an invitation to appear before the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee today , Dr Glynn replied that was a matter for the Department of Health .
Committee chairman Michael McNamara said NPHET @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week it would not be attending .
He said members had wanted to question officials about the “ conspicuous lack of any published scientific evidence ” for the criteria applied when raising or lowering the level of restrictions in a county .
The department told The Irish Times that Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly would provide the committee with an update on the Government ’ s framework plan later this week .
The Cabinet will on Tuesday consider proposals which would allow the Government to sanction pay rises for groups in the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McGrath is expected to ask the Cabinet to allow him to draft new legislation which would get around a legal ban on pay increases under financial emergency legislation .
This would facilitate a new pay structure for public health doctors and allow for the commencement of talks between the Government and medical organisations on a new Sláintecare contract for hospital consultants .

No further deaths from coronavirus were confirmed on Monday, leaving the State’s death toll at 1,802. File photograph: The Irish Times
People should prepare for another six to nine months of Covid-19 restrictions, involving repeated waves of the virus, senior health officials have warned.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn last night warned there will be no “going back to normal” after the current surge in cases has been handled. And there will be no “significant game changer” such as a readily available vaccine to relieve matters for the next six to nine months.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid will today tell TDs that “it is increasingly evident that we can expect, and should therefore plan for, subsequent waves” of the disease.
Hospital Report
An example of how #COVID19 can spread if given the opportunity. Please keep it small, keep it safe & keep your distance.
If you have symptoms please isolate immediately
If you are a close contact please restrict your movements - do not go to work, uni or meet with friends @TheUSI pic.twitter.com/SA78DmbPxV — Dr Ronan Glynn (@ronan_glynn) September 28, 2020
With admissions to hospitals “definitely rising”, Mr Reid will tell the Oireachtas special committee on Covid-19 that “a difficult winter season, coupled with a resurgence in Covid-19, is the worst possible scenario for our health services”.
READ MORE
Even with a vaccine “the reality is that we will be dealing with Covid-19 for a long time yet” and behavioural and societal changes are needed to manage the pandemic, Mr Reid will say in his statement to the committee.
When asked at a National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) briefing if Ireland was doomed to repeated cycles involving the lifting of restrictions as case numbers dropped, followed by their reimposition as infections increased again, Dr Glynn replied: “I don’t think we’re doomed.
“We have to be honest, we’re not going to have a vaccine, we’re not going to have a treatment, we’re not going to have any significant game changer for the next six months and the Government plan reflects that we have to live with this for the next six to nine months”.
Dr Glynn said there was an “ unbelievable amount of work going on in terms of treatments, vaccines, different types of tests but we are not quite there yet”.
“I’m hoping we will have news on that and that the information on that will evolve between now and Christmas but ultimately I think we are looking at a six- to nine-month timeframe.”
Acknowledging this was “not an easy message for people to hear”, he said the “vast majority” of society was open at present.
“Our schools are back, most workplaces are open, hospitals are open and people are getting treated. So there’s an awful lot happening.”
A further 390 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported by the NPHET yesterday evening, with no further deaths from the disease confirmed. Of the new cases, 209 are in Dublin, 27 in Cork and 22 in Donegal.
No further deaths from the disease were confirmed, leaving the State's total at 1,802. More than 1 million people have succumbed to Covid-19 around the world as of Tuesday, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University. "Our world has reached an agonising milestone," UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said in a statement. "It's a mind-numbing figure. Yet we must never lose sight of each and every individual life. They were fathers and mothers, wives and husbands, brothers and sisters, friends and colleagues."
It took just three months for Covid-19 deaths to double from half a million, an accelerating rate of fatalities since the first death was recorded in China in early January.
Numbers on the rise
Dr Glynn said case numbers were beginning to stabilise in Dublin but were rising fast in Cork, Galway, Monaghan and Roscommon.
Asked why NPHET officials would not be taking up an invitation to appear before the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee today, Dr Glynn replied that was a matter for the Department of Health. Committee chairman Michael McNamara said NPHET had informed the committee for a second week it would not be attending.
He said members had wanted to question officials about the “conspicuous lack of any published scientific evidence” for the criteria applied when raising or lowering the level of restrictions in a county. The department told The Irish Times that Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly would provide the committee with an update on the Government’s framework plan later this week.
The Cabinet will on Tuesday consider proposals which would allow the Government to sanction pay rises for groups in the public service. Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath is expected to ask the Cabinet to allow him to draft new legislation which would get around a legal ban on pay increases under financial emergency legislation.
This would facilitate a new pay structure for public health doctors and allow for the commencement of talks between the Government and medical organisations on a new Sláintecare contract for hospital consultants.


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Ireland must prepare for further Covid waves - HSE chief

HSE chief executive Paul Reid will on Tuesday tell Oireachtas members that Ireland should prepare for further waves of Covid-19 in the months ahead .
In his opening statement to the Oireachtas special committee on Covid-19 , Mr Reid states “ it is increasingly evident that we can expect and should therefore plan for subsequent waves ” of the disease .
Amid admissions to hospital which are “ definitely rising ” , he will also say that “ a difficult winter season , coupled with a resurgence in Covid-19 , is the worst possible scenario for our health services ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we hope to avoid , it is also a scenario for which we have been carefully planning , ” he will say .
He will tell the committee that even with a vaccine “ the reality is that we will be dealing with Covid-19 for a long time yet ” , and that behavioural and societal changes are needed to manage the pandemic .
Mr Reid will also give an update on the State ’ s Covid test-and-trace programme , which has been the subject of ongoing commentary since the uptick in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will say the service is examining ways to bring down the turnaround time for tests , and that the State compares well with other European countries , including Germany , France , Norway and Italy , when measured by the number of tests done per one million of population .
“ In order to speed up test notification periods , we are also looking at additional equipment , robots and process methodologies to increase our domestic testing capacity and turnaround , ” he will say .
In the past week , the HSE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reid ’ s opening statement , bringing the total to 1.12 million .
Last week , some 15,381 contact tracing calls were completed , the highest number to date .
The committee will also hear that the testing capacity of the State is 100,000 per week , with “ surge capacity ” of 2,000 a day provided by German labs .
He will say that the median end-to-end turnaround time in community settings is currently two days , and that recruitment is ongoing for contact tracing .
The HSE has also begun contacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under a temporary assignment scheme first enacted during the early days of the pandemic , The Irish Times has learned .
In a statement , the HSE confirmed it was undertaking this step , although it said its focus was on the recruitment of a dedicated team of 500 people for contact tracing , the first group of whom are expected to be available by the end of this week .
Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall queried why recruitment did not take place during the summer months , when the virus was largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now that staff are not taken away from important areas either within the health service or other critical frontline services , ” she said .
“ The HSE needs to set out its intentions in relation to its recruitment plans , how many new hires they are aiming to bring in , and what type of contracts will be awarded to these people .
”

HSE chief executive Paul Reid: The State compares well with other European countries, when measured by the number of tests done per one million of population. Photograph: Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland
HSE chief executive Paul Reid will on Tuesday tell Oireachtas members that Ireland should prepare for further waves of Covid-19 in the months ahead.
In his opening statement to the Oireachtas special committee on Covid-19, Mr Reid states “it is increasingly evident that we can expect and should therefore plan for subsequent waves” of the disease.
Amid admissions to hospital which are “definitely rising”, he will also say that “a difficult winter season, coupled with a resurgence in Covid-19, is the worst possible scenario for our health services”.
Hospital Report
“While this is an eventuality that we hope to avoid, it is also a scenario for which we have been carefully planning,” he will say.
READ MORE
He will tell the committee that even with a vaccine “the reality is that we will be dealing with Covid-19 for a long time yet”, and that behavioural and societal changes are needed to manage the pandemic.
Test-and-trace programme
Mr Reid will also give an update on the State’s Covid test-and-trace programme, which has been the subject of ongoing commentary since the uptick in cases emerged in recent weeks.
He will say the service is examining ways to bring down the turnaround time for tests, and that the State compares well with other European countries, including Germany, France, Norway and Italy, when measured by the number of tests done per one million of population.
“In order to speed up test notification periods, we are also looking at additional equipment, robots and process methodologies to increase our domestic testing capacity and turnaround,” he will say.
In the past week, the HSE completed 87,940 tests, according to Mr Reid’s opening statement, bringing the total to 1.12 million. Last week, some 15,381 contact tracing calls were completed, the highest number to date.
The committee will also hear that the testing capacity of the State is 100,000 per week, with “surge capacity” of 2,000 a day provided by German labs. He will say that the median end-to-end turnaround time in community settings is currently two days, and that recruitment is ongoing for contact tracing.
The HSE has also begun contacting Government departments about the availability of staff under a temporary assignment scheme first enacted during the early days of the pandemic, The Irish Times has learned.
In a statement, the HSE confirmed it was undertaking this step, although it said its focus was on the recruitment of a dedicated team of 500 people for contact tracing, the first group of whom are expected to be available by the end of this week.
Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall queried why recruitment did not take place during the summer months, when the virus was largely under control.
“It is essential now that staff are not taken away from important areas either within the health service or other critical frontline services,” she said.
“The HSE needs to set out its intentions in relation to its recruitment plans, how many new hires they are aiming to bring in, and what type of contracts will be awarded to these people.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-29--Schools fear losing teachers due to Covid-linked pupil absences

Schools have expressed concern ahead of Wednesday ’ s annual school census that they risk losing teachers due to the continued absence of pupils because of Covid-19 .
Every year schools are required to file annual returns showing their enrolments on September 30th .
These determine how many teachers are allocated to a school and how much capitation funding is provided .
However , some schools say significant numbers of students have not yet returned due to health concerns linked to Covid-19 .
The Irish Primary Principals ’ Network ( IPPN ) said it wanted the census date pushed back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Education that schools would not lose out due to delayed return of students .
“ We ’ ve had 13 meetings with schools in different counties so far this autumn and this has been raised as a real concern at all of them , ” said IPPN chief executive Páiric Clerkin .
“ Schools fear they will lose staff because all their pupils haven ’ t yet returned .
Some are in families where there is a high risk family member and they are waiting to see how things progress .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pupils , in some cases , that can be the difference between keeping a teacher and losing one.
” This year , for example , a total of 428 primary schools have lost a school teacher due to falling enrolments based on school census returns completed on September 30th , 2019 .
Mr Clerkin said it was a particular concern in new schools , which were pre-allocated teachers based on anticipated pupil numbers .
He said , anecdotally , many children who had yet to return to school were in homes where there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member .
While pupils in homes where a pupil or family member is considered “ very high risk ” are entitled to remote tuition , this does not necessarily apply to those in “ high risk ” categories .
In response to a query , a spokesman for the Department of Education said the key factor for determining the level of staffing provided at individual school level for the current school year is the staffing schedule for the 2020/21 school year and pupil enrolments on 30th September 2019 .
Primary schools are currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one teacher for every 26 pupils which is at its historically lowest level .
The spokesman said schools which do not meet the required enrolment on September 30th have the option to submit a staffing appeal in to the appeals board in October .
He said the department will consider appeals where schools “ clearly demonstrate how their enrolments were negatively impacted by Covid-19 .
”

Some schools say significant numbers of students have not yet returned due to health concerns linked to Covid-19. Photograph: iStock
Schools have expressed concern ahead of Wednesday’s annual school census that they risk losing teachers due to the continued absence of pupils because of Covid-19.
Every year schools are required to file annual returns showing their enrolments on September 30th. These determine how many teachers are allocated to a school and how much capitation funding is provided.
However, some schools say significant numbers of students have not yet returned due to health concerns linked to Covid-19.
Hospital Report
The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) said it wanted the census date pushed back later or a guarantee from the Department of Education that schools would not lose out due to delayed return of students.
READ MORE
“We’ve had 13 meetings with schools in different counties so far this autumn and this has been raised as a real concern at all of them,” said IPPN chief executive Páiric Clerkin.
“Schools fear they will lose staff because all their pupils haven’t yet returned. Some are in families where there is a high risk family member and they are waiting to see how things progress. If a school loses just one or two pupils, in some cases, that can be the difference between keeping a teacher and losing one.”
This year, for example, a total of 428 primary schools have lost a school teacher due to falling enrolments based on school census returns completed on September 30th, 2019.
New schools
Mr Clerkin said it was a particular concern in new schools, which were pre-allocated teachers based on anticipated pupil numbers. He said, anecdotally, many children who had yet to return to school were in homes where there was a “high risk” family member.
While pupils in homes where a pupil or family member is considered “very high risk” are entitled to remote tuition, this does not necessarily apply to those in “high risk” categories.
In response to a query, a spokesman for the Department of Education said the key factor for determining the level of staffing provided at individual school level for the current school year is the staffing schedule for the 2020/21 school year and pupil enrolments on 30th September 2019.
Primary schools are currently provided with class teachers on the basis of one teacher for every 26 pupils which is at its historically lowest level.
The spokesman said schools which do not meet the required enrolment on September 30th have the option to submit a staffing appeal in to the appeals board in October.
He said the department will consider appeals where schools “clearly demonstrate how their enrolments were negatively impacted by Covid-19.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--Women who go private to give birth more likely to have Caesarean

Women who go private to have their baby are almost three times more likely than public patients to have an elective Caesarean section , according to a study of 75,000 women attending a Dublin maternity hospital .
The increased elective Caesarean rate among private patients is linked in the study of patients at the Coombe Women and Infants ’ Hospital to a desire for continuity of care from an obstetrician from women who are “ risk-averse ” .
Women who opt for private care are more likely to have experienced pregnancy loss , infertility treatment and multiple pregnancies , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older than public patients , the authors found .
“ This suggests that women are choosing private care , in part , because they are more risk-averse for clinical and sociodemographic reasons .
They prefer a model of care where there is continuity of care by a senior obstetrician and where they believe they can optimise a good clinical outcome for their baby and themselves.
” Prof Michael Turner , of the UCD Centre for Human Reproduction at the Coombe hospital , pointed out that many of the women would have received IVF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financially ” in this technology would be more likely to go privately to an obstetrician for the birth so they got continuity of care and “ risk minimisation ” .
The study involved 73,000 women who had a single pregnancy at the Coombe and 2,000 who had multiple births .
It found 75 per cent had public care , 11 per cent semi-private and 14 per cent private .
Overall , 71 per cent of births in the study involved vaginal delivery , 14.5 per cent were elective Caesareans and 14.5 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically carried out where a doctor thinks a vaginal delivery might be too difficult , where the baby is in the breech position or where complications have arisen .
Private patients were on average 5.3 years older and were more likely to be Irish-born , married and in professional or managerial employment .
Women with multiple pregnancies were almost twice as likely to go private than those expecting one child ( 24.6 per cent versus 14.9 per cent ) .
The elective Caesarean rate in private patients was 29.4 per cent , compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the emergency Caesarean rate was slightly lower – 13.3 per cent versus 14.2 per cent .
The study , published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth journal , also looked at women who returned to the hospital for a second pregnancy , and found 90 per cent chose the same package second time around .
Women who switched to private for their second pregnancy were more likely to have had an emergency Caesarean or admission to the neonatal unit the first time .
Rising rates of Caesarean section , in Ireland and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern for many years .
The study points out that the operation has become much safer for mothers , even while risk factors have increased due to women having children later , rising obesity levels and increased rates of diabetes .
“ It ’ s a question of balancing the risks and benefits for each individual case .
There ’ s a lot of mythology about the optimum Caesarean rate , when no one knows what it is , ” said Prof Turner .
“ There is a big difference in the Caesarean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but when you correct for clinical risk it shrinks considerably .
“ The issue is more complex than it is sometimes portrayed , and people should not apply simplistic , ideological arguments in relation to it .
”

The study involved 73,000 women who had a single pregnancy at the Coombe and 2,000 who had multiple births. Photograph: iStock
Women who go private to have their baby are almost three times more likely than public patients to have an elective Caesarean section, according to a study of 75,000 women attending a Dublin maternity hospital.
The increased elective Caesarean rate among private patients is linked in the study of patients at the Coombe Women and Infants’ Hospital to a desire for continuity of care from an obstetrician from women who are “risk-averse”.
Women who opt for private care are more likely to have experienced pregnancy loss, infertility treatment and multiple pregnancies, and are on average more than five years older than public patients, the authors found.
“This suggests that women are choosing private care, in part, because they are more risk-averse for clinical and sociodemographic reasons. They prefer a model of care where there is continuity of care by a senior obstetrician and where they believe they can optimise a good clinical outcome for their baby and themselves.”
READ MORE
Prof Michael Turner, of the UCD Centre for Human Reproduction at the Coombe hospital, pointed out that many of the women would have received IVF, and having invested "personally and financially" in this technology would be more likely to go privately to an obstetrician for the birth so they got continuity of care and "risk minimisation".
Multiple births
The study involved 73,000 women who had a single pregnancy at the Coombe and 2,000 who had multiple births. It found 75 per cent had public care, 11 per cent semi-private and 14 per cent private.
Overall, 71 per cent of births in the study involved vaginal delivery, 14.5 per cent were elective Caesareans and 14.5 per cent were emergency Caesareans.
Elective Caesareans are typically carried out where a doctor thinks a vaginal delivery might be too difficult, where the baby is in the breech position or where complications have arisen.
Private patients were on average 5.3 years older and were more likely to be Irish-born, married and in professional or managerial employment.
Women with multiple pregnancies were almost twice as likely to go private than those expecting one child (24.6 per cent versus 14.9 per cent).
The elective Caesarean rate in private patients was 29.4 per cent, compared to 11.1 per cent in public patients, but the emergency Caesarean rate was slightly lower – 13.3 per cent versus 14.2 per cent.
Same package
The study, published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth journal, also looked at women who returned to the hospital for a second pregnancy, and found 90 per cent chose the same package second time around. Women who switched to private for their second pregnancy were more likely to have had an emergency Caesarean or admission to the neonatal unit the first time.
Rising rates of Caesarean section, in Ireland and internationally, have been a source of concern for many years. The study points out that the operation has become much safer for mothers, even while risk factors have increased due to women having children later, rising obesity levels and increased rates of diabetes.
“It’s a question of balancing the risks and benefits for each individual case. There’s a lot of mythology about the optimum Caesarean rate, when no one knows what it is,” said Prof Turner.
“There is a big difference in the Caesarean rate between private and public patients, but when you correct for clinical risk it shrinks considerably.
“The issue is more complex than it is sometimes portrayed, and people should not apply simplistic, ideological arguments in relation to it.”