theirishtimes--2020-10-20--Six weeks of Level 5: Non-essential shops to close, no visitors to homes and a 5km travel limit

Following days of warnings from senior public health officials about the continuing spread of Covid-19 , the Government last night reversed its previous stance and announced the introduction of Level 5 restrictions for the entire State for the next six weeks .
In a televised address to the country from Government Buildings last night , Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that while the restrictions of recent weeks have “ slowed the spread of the virus , this has not been enough , and further action is now required ” .
The decision was announced after a Cabinet meeting arranged at short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move , although not without some dissent from Ministers .
The measures come into place tomorrow night .
Under the Level 5 plan announced last night , schools and childcare facilities will remain open , as will construction sites and manufacturing , but non-essential retail businesses and services such as hairdressing will be forced to close , plunging tens of thousands of people into unemployment and costing the exchequer hundreds of millions of euro in lost taxes and in welfare payments .
People will be told not to travel more than 5km from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fines for those who break the rules .
Teachers ’ unions last night expressed concern about keeping the schools open .
But Mr Martin said the advice was that schools are safe places for children .
Government sources privately fear that the unions will not co-operate on the new plan .
Last night ’ s announcement came after the Government resisted calls from the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) and chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan in the past fortnight for a move to Level 5 , the most severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid restrictions .
Cabinet sources said that key to the abrupt change was the support of Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar for the new restrictions .
Previously , Mr Varadkar had been among those who were reluctant to introduce a new lockdown , and he was very critical of Nphet ’ s approach to the issue .
However , Mr Varadkar is said to have changed his mind after a series of warnings from public health experts about the increasing prevalence of the virus in recent days .
Last night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 reported by Nphet brought the total number of coronavirus cases in the State to 50,993 , less than eight months after the first case of the virus was recorded in Ireland .
As of 2pm yesterday , 298 Covid-19 patients were in hospital , including 34 in ICU .
There were 20 hospitalisations from the disease in the past 24 hours .
But there was significant dissent within Government over the latest move .
Although they acquiesced in the decision reached by Mr Varadkar , Mr Martin and Green Party leader Eamon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy and public spending , Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath , are understood to have opposed the move over the weekend , only accepting the decision when the party leaders pushed for it yesterday .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly was also sceptical of the need to move to Level 5 over the weekend , though he told RTÉ last night he was “ convinced ” of the need for the move .
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney had also questioned the need for a six-week lockdown , while other Ministers suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficient .
Ministers eventually decided the lockdown will be reviewed after four weeks .
Party leaders were alarmed by the warnings that infection numbers could spiral over the coming weeks .
A full six-week lockdown will mean new cases of about 50-100 per day as the Christmas season got under way , Nphet told Government in a letter last week .
However , failure to impose a full six-week lockdown would mean about 1,000 cases a day could still be expected in the middle of December , Nphet warned .
Failure to enforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean the disease would effectively be out of control over the Christmas period , Nphet suggested .

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced that the entire country will move to level 5 for a period of six weeks. The new restrictions will take effect at midnight on Wednesday and remain in place until December 1. Video: RTE
Following days of warnings from senior public health officials about the continuing spread of Covid-19, the Government last night reversed its previous stance and announced the introduction of Level 5 restrictions for the entire State for the next six weeks.
In a televised address to the country from Government Buildings last night, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that while the restrictions of recent weeks have “slowed the spread of the virus, this has not been enough, and further action is now required”.
The decision was announced after a Cabinet meeting arranged at short notice yesterday gave its approval for the move, although not without some dissent from Ministers. The measures come into place tomorrow night.
Hospital Report
Do you think your business will be able to survive further restrictions in the coming weeks or months? What impact could it have on your income, your company’s finances, and you personally? Photograph: Getty Images
Under the Level 5 plan announced last night, schools and childcare facilities will remain open, as will construction sites and manufacturing, but non-essential retail businesses and services such as hairdressing will be forced to close, plunging tens of thousands of people into unemployment and costing the exchequer hundreds of millions of euro in lost taxes and in welfare payments.
READ MORE
Not to travel
People will be told not to travel more than 5km from their homes, and there will be fines for those who break the rules.
Teachers’ unions last night expressed concern about keeping the schools open. But Mr Martin said the advice was that schools are safe places for children. Government sources privately fear that the unions will not co-operate on the new plan.
Face masks for sale in abundance in Dublin city centre. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP/Getty
Last night's announcement came after the Government resisted calls from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) and chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan in the past fortnight for a move to Level 5, the most severe stage of the Government's framework of Covid restrictions. Cabinet sources said that key to the abrupt change was the support of Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar for the new restrictions. Previously, Mr Varadkar had been among those who were reluctant to introduce a new lockdown, and he was very critical of Nphet's approach to the issue.
However, Mr Varadkar is said to have changed his mind after a series of warnings from public health experts about the increasing prevalence of the virus in recent days.
Last night, a further 1,031 confirmed cases of Covid-19 reported by Nphet brought the total number of coronavirus cases in the State to 50,993, less than eight months after the first case of the virus was recorded in Ireland. As of 2pm yesterday, 298 Covid-19 patients were in hospital, including 34 in ICU. There were 20 hospitalisations from the disease in the past 24 hours. But there was significant dissent within Government over the latest move. Although they acquiesced in the decision reached by Mr Varadkar, Mr Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, the Ministers responsible for the economy and public spending, Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath, are understood to have opposed the move over the weekend, only accepting the decision when the party leaders pushed for it yesterday.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin announces a move to Level 5 for the whole State, at Government Buildings in Dublin. Photograph: Julien Behal/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly was also sceptical of the need to move to Level 5 over the weekend, though he told RTÉ last night he was "convinced" of the need for the move.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney had also questioned the need for a six-week lockdown, while other Ministers suggested a three- or four-week period would be sufficient. Ministers eventually decided the lockdown will be reviewed after four weeks.
Infection numbers
Party leaders were alarmed by the warnings that infection numbers could spiral over the coming weeks. A full six-week lockdown will mean new cases of about 50-100 per day as the Christmas season got under way, Nphet told Government in a letter last week. However, failure to impose a full six-week lockdown would mean about 1,000 cases a day could still be expected in the middle of December, Nphet warned.
Failure to enforce a full lockdown for six weeks would mean the disease would effectively be out of control over the Christmas period, Nphet suggested.


theirishtimes--2020-10-20--Rock art 4,000-plus years old found by Sligo community project

Rare prehistoric rock art , believed to be at least 4,000 years old , has been discovered on a portal tomb in north Co Sligo .
It is one of a number of similar finds made in the course of a community project , which encourages “ citizen archaeologists ” to look out for and report artefacts .
Another highlight of the Sligo Community Archeology Project was the discovery during lockdown in March of a rare Bronze Age stone pendant in Drumcliffe .
It was found by 14-year-old Darragh McDaniel while he was helping to dig a drain on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rock art was noticed at Cloghcor portal tomb by archeologist Tamlyn McHugh , who is heading up the community project , when she was conducting a video interview with the farmer who owns the land , Leo Leyden .
She later returned to the site after dark with her husband , Sligo-based landscape photographer Ciaran McHugh , and found that the rock art was more apparent in torch light .
The pair detected a series of cup marks incised into the surface of the stone , as well as a rosette design .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to determine if the rock art and the portal tomb are contemporaneous or if it was a later addition , “ but it is prehistoric and at least 4,000 years old ” .
The find was reported to the National Monument Service ( NMS ) .
Christiaan Corlett , an archeologist with the NMS , described the discovery as “ a very exciting find because rock art on portal tombs is rare ” .
Portal tombs date to the Neolithic ( 4000BC-2500BC ) age and are one of four types of megalithic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tombs , court tombs and wedge tombs .
Ireland ’ s best-known portal tomb is Poulnabrone , in the Burren in Co Clare .
Ms McHugh said the community archaeology project , a joint initiative between Sligo County Council and the Heritage Council , was an opportunity to explore monuments like the Cloghcor portal tomb .
“ It ’ s exciting that archaeological sites and artefacts are being found by the public – these significant discoveries can help us better understand our past and perhaps rewrite some of our interpretation of monuments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner , Mr Leyden , was also delighted with the discovery .
“ Farmers are custodians of these monuments and I am proud to have this tomb on the family land , ” he said .
“ We have taken good care of the monument , observed it change through the seasons and have remembered the stories and legends associated with it down through the generations.
” Meanwhile , the Bronze Age pendant was not Darragh McDaniel ’ s only find .
The teenager also discovered a Bronze Age “ Fulacht Fia ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been an open-air cooking site .
In April , two previously unrecorded shell midden sites were found by local residents Eimear Healy and Daithi Bradley in Rosses Point and were added to the Archaeological Survey of Ireland .
Last Friday two more middens were found at Mullaghmore .
Middens are mounds of shells left by prehistoric people .
Ms McHugh said numerous quern stones ( tools for grinding grain ) had also been found , including one which was brought ashore from Oyster Island by members of the North West Sea Kayaking Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Museum of Ireland and have been deposited there .
Nessa O ’ Connor , archaeologist and assistant keeper of Irish Antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland , emphasised the importance of reporting such objects .
“ This could be your contribution to your own local heritage and help ensure that objects and related information on their context in the landscape can be available to all as a source of new archaeological knowledge and as a research resource .
”

Rare prehistoric rock art, believed to be at least 4,000 years old, has been discovered on a portal tomb in north Co Sligo.
It is one of a number of similar finds made in the course of a community project, which encourages “citizen archaeologists” to look out for and report artefacts.
Another highlight of the Sligo Community Archeology Project was the discovery during lockdown in March of a rare Bronze Age stone pendant in Drumcliffe. It was found by 14-year-old Darragh McDaniel while he was helping to dig a drain on his family’s land.
Cloghcor portal tomb rock art: found by Tamlyn McHugh, who was heading up a community project, when she was conducting a video interview with farmer Leo Leyden. Photograph: Ciaran McHugh
The prehistoric rock art was noticed at Cloghcor portal tomb by archeologist Tamlyn McHugh, who is heading up the community project, when she was conducting a video interview with the farmer who owns the land, Leo Leyden.
READ MORE
She later returned to the site after dark with her husband, Sligo-based landscape photographer Ciaran McHugh, and found that the rock art was more apparent in torch light.
The pair detected a series of cup marks incised into the surface of the stone, as well as a rosette design. Ms McHugh said that research was under way to determine if the rock art and the portal tomb are contemporaneous or if it was a later addition, “but it is prehistoric and at least 4,000 years old”. The find was reported to the National Monument Service (NMS).
Portal tombs
Christiaan Corlett, an archeologist with the NMS, described the discovery as “a very exciting find because rock art on portal tombs is rare”.
Portal tombs date to the Neolithic (4000BC-2500BC) age and are one of four types of megalithic tombs in Ireland, along with passage tombs, court tombs and wedge tombs. Ireland’s best-known portal tomb is Poulnabrone, in the Burren in Co Clare.
Ms McHugh said the community archaeology project, a joint initiative between Sligo County Council and the Heritage Council, was an opportunity to explore monuments like the Cloghcor portal tomb.
“It’s exciting that archaeological sites and artefacts are being found by the public – these significant discoveries can help us better understand our past and perhaps rewrite some of our interpretation of monuments,” said the archaeologist. The land owner, Mr Leyden, was also delighted with the discovery.
Farmers as custodians
“Farmers are custodians of these monuments and I am proud to have this tomb on the family land,” he said. “We have taken good care of the monument, observed it change through the seasons and have remembered the stories and legends associated with it down through the generations.”
Meanwhile, the Bronze Age pendant was not Darragh McDaniel’s only find. The teenager also discovered a Bronze Age “Fulacht Fia”, a burnt mound believed to have been an open-air cooking site.
In April, two previously unrecorded shell midden sites were found by local residents Eimear Healy and Daithi Bradley in Rosses Point and were added to the Archaeological Survey of Ireland. Last Friday two more middens were found at Mullaghmore. Middens are mounds of shells left by prehistoric people. Ms McHugh said numerous quern stones (tools for grinding grain) had also been found, including one which was brought ashore from Oyster Island by members of the North West Sea Kayaking Association.
These were reported to the National Museum of Ireland and have been deposited there. Nessa O’Connor, archaeologist and assistant keeper of Irish Antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland, emphasised the importance of reporting such objects.
“This could be your contribution to your own local heritage and help ensure that objects and related information on their context in the landscape can be available to all as a source of new archaeological knowledge and as a research resource.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-21--‘Groundbreaking’ direct provision replacement forecast to save millions

A “ groundbreaking ” accommodation scheme and asylum process forecast to cost millions less than the current direct provision system has been proposed to replace it by a Government expert group , The Irish Times has learned .
A detailed list of recommendations , including the introduction of State-owned temporary accommodation centres where applicants would spend their first three months in the country and a new housing model led by local authorities , will be published today following an investigation by an expert group appointed last year .
The group ’ s findings will inform the Government White Paper on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be published by the end of 2020 .
The expert group , led by former secretary general of the European Commission Dr Catherine Day , has called for the new system to be fully implemented by mid-2023 and for the transition period to begin as soon as possible .
It ’ s understood the proposed model will cost €35.9 million less than what direct provision cost in 2019 .
While the Government has committed to ending direct provision , the new recommendations are not legally binding and thus the Department of Children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now leads the direct provision portfolio , is not required to include all the suggested measures in its White Paper .
However , it ’ s understood the report calls for the introduction of binding targets , including some legislative changes .
It proposes that first instance decisions on asylum applications be made within six months , as is required under the European Communities recast Reception Conditions Directive , which Ireland opted into in July 2018 .
Under the new system , asylum seekers will spend up to three months in a State-owned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assessment , receive legal advice and begin their application for international protection .
Applicants will then be transferred to own-door accommodation which will be overseen by local authorities through a separate housing budget .
This rental scheme should be modelled on the homeless assistance payment ( HAP ) , the group has advised .
The report stipulates people should not be housed in remote areas but in towns and cities where they have access to employment and educational opportunities , a source confirmed , while the number of people housed in each area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the town or city .
Asylum seekers will spend six months awaiting an initial decision on their application and another half year if they need to appeal this decision .
If residency is refused on appeal , the applicant should be able to remain in this housing another six months before leaving the State .
The source close to the report described its contents as “ groundbreaking ” and underlined the group ’ s desire to see the Department of Housing take over the accommodation portfolio for asylum seekers as soon as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women be given single room accommodation in shared houses and calls for specific accommodation for victims of trafficking .
The recommendations also note that asylum seekers should be entitled to work within three months of entering the State .
Those who can not find work , or are unable to work , should be means tested for “ social welfare-type ” support , the source said .
An announcement on bank accounts and drivers licences is to be made on Wednesday in conjunction with the release of the report .
Unaccompanied minors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they turn 18 and not be transferred into shared accommodation with adults and should also be given legal support to file for refugee status as early as possible so they have the best chance at success , the group has said .
A spokesman for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland , which engaged with the expert group during deliberations , welcomed the proposed changes but warned that relying on a HAP rental model did not “ provide a realistic alternative ” as it would “ allow for discrimination against asylum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creation of a separate housing model for asylum seekers and called for applicants to be integrated into the existing housing policy .
MASI also criticised the Government for failing to implement any of the interim recommendations around vulnerability assessments , drivers licences and bank accounts .

A “groundbreaking” accommodation scheme and asylum process forecast to cost millions less than the current direct provision system has been proposed to replace it by a Government expert group, The Irish Times has learned.
A detailed list of recommendations, including the introduction of State-owned temporary accommodation centres where applicants would spend their first three months in the country and a new housing model led by local authorities, will be published today following an investigation by an expert group appointed last year.
The group's findings will inform the Government White Paper on ending direct provision which is scheduled to be published by the end of 2020. The expert group, led by former secretary general of the European Commission Dr Catherine Day, has called for the new system to be fully implemented by mid-2023 and for the transition period to begin as soon as possible. It's understood the proposed model will cost €35.9 million less than what direct provision cost in 2019.
While the Government has committed to ending direct provision, the new recommendations are not legally binding and thus the Department of Children, Disabilities, Equality and Integration, which now leads the direct provision portfolio, is not required to include all the suggested measures in its White Paper. However, it’s understood the report calls for the introduction of binding targets, including some legislative changes.
READ MORE
Six months
It proposes that first instance decisions on asylum applications be made within six months, as is required under the European Communities recast Reception Conditions Directive, which Ireland opted into in July 2018.
Under the new system, asylum seekers will spend up to three months in a State-owned reception centre where they undergo a vulnerability assessment, receive legal advice and begin their application for international protection.
Applicants will then be transferred to own-door accommodation which will be overseen by local authorities through a separate housing budget. This rental scheme should be modelled on the homeless assistance payment (HAP), the group has advised.
The report stipulates people should not be housed in remote areas but in towns and cities where they have access to employment and educational opportunities, a source confirmed, while the number of people housed in each area should be proportionate to the size of the town or city.
Initial decision
Asylum seekers will spend six months awaiting an initial decision on their application and another half year if they need to appeal this decision. If residency is refused on appeal, the applicant should be able to remain in this housing another six months before leaving the State.
The source close to the report described its contents as “groundbreaking” and underlined the group’s desire to see the Department of Housing take over the accommodation portfolio for asylum seekers as soon as possible.
The report specifies that single men and women be given single room accommodation in shared houses and calls for specific accommodation for victims of trafficking.
The recommendations also note that asylum seekers should be entitled to work within three months of entering the State. Those who cannot find work, or are unable to work, should be means tested for “social welfare-type” support, the source said.
An announcement on bank accounts and drivers licences is to be made on Wednesday in conjunction with the release of the report.
Unaccompanied minors should remain under the care of Tusla when they turn 18 and not be transferred into shared accommodation with adults and should also be given legal support to file for refugee status as early as possible so they have the best chance at success, the group has said.
‘Discrimination’
A spokesman for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, which engaged with the expert group during deliberations, welcomed the proposed changes but warned that relying on a HAP rental model did not “provide a realistic alternative” as it would “allow for discrimination against asylum seekers”. He cautioned against the creation of a separate housing model for asylum seekers and called for applicants to be integrated into the existing housing policy. MASI also criticised the Government for failing to implement any of the interim recommendations around vulnerability assessments, drivers licences and bank accounts.


theirishtimes--2020-10-21--Covid-19: Six weeks of lockdown hardship offers little by way of end reward

The Government ’ s plan to move to Level-5 restrictions marks another journey into the unknown with Covid-19 .
By moving straight from Level 3 to Level 5 , Ministers are breaking their own promise for graduated , single-level changes in restrictions .
At least now , in contrast to when the National Public Health Emergency Team sought Level 5 two weeks ago , some notice is being provided , the budget is in place and supports are there to cushion the blow .
Yet the move will cause massive economic , social and mental health damage without offering much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flies in the face of at least some evidence relating to virus trends .
The worsening situation certainly demanded action but arguably not quasi-lockdown .
The obsession with case numbers obscures more important trends around mortality and intensive care .
The relentless focus on Covid-19 may lead some to forget that every winter sees a rise in hospital activity .
Over the last week , the number of ICU patients with Covid-19 has increased marginally , from 31 to 34 .
Deaths , which lag other indicators , have remained at a low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 were recorded .
According to the Health Service Executive , there are more than 352 free hospital beds and almost 30 critical care beds free at present , before surge capacity is considered .
The system is “ coping but under pressure ” , its boss , Paul Reid , said a few days ago .
The five-day average of cases dropped slightly on Monday , for the first time in weeks .
Would a move to Level 4 have minimised additional harms and kept excess pressure off the health service while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ll never know now , but it wouldn ’ t matter much if the six-week Level-5 lockdown offered a lasting solution .
The problem is that it doesn ’ t .
At the start of December , when the period is up , there is no prospect of us arriving at Covid-free Nirvana ; even under a best-case scenario , it ’ s likely we will still have hundreds of daily cases .
As a country , we ’ ll then be at a fork in the road .
Either we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly over Christmas or we ease restrictions .
If the latter happens , the pre-Christmas shopping season is saved but another lockdown is inevitable in the new year .
And so on , with each successive lockdown destroying the fabric of our society and morale of its citizens .
Though it hasn ’ t been said , this is effectively the policy until a vaccine arrives .
More will be invested in testing and tracing but if this had been done earlier , we might not be where we are now .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the summer , when cases dropped to low levels , was wasted .
First , we failed to spot the immediate relaxation in people ’ s behaviours as restrictions were eased .
We failed to spot outbreaks in meat plants until it was too late and we reduced testing when it needed to be increased .
Level 5 is yet another blunt instrument uniformly applied to decent people who have been faithfully following the rules in exactly the same way as to those who either don ’ t care or don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater issue compared to the economic and social behaviours of people complying ?
Would curfews , or controls on alcohol off-sales , not have been more effective in tackling this non-compliance ?
Dealing with Covid-19 isn ’ t easy .
Ireland is certainly not alone in the challenges .
But it would be nice to know , before embarking on six weeks of hardship , that we had a prize in sight .
Sadly , other than repeated bouts of restrictions , we clearly don ’ t .

At the start of December, when the six weeks is up, there is no prospect of us arriving at Covid-free Nirvana. Photograph: Stephen Collins
The Government’s plan to move to Level-5 restrictions marks another journey into the unknown with Covid-19.
By moving straight from Level 3 to Level 5 , Ministers are breaking their own promise for graduated, single-level changes in restrictions.
At least now, in contrast to when the National Public Health Emergency Team sought Level 5 two weeks ago, some notice is being provided, the budget is in place and supports are there to cushion the blow.
Hospital Report
Yet the move will cause massive economic, social and mental health damage without offering much of a longer-term solution.
READ MORE
It also flies in the face of at least some evidence relating to virus trends. The worsening situation certainly demanded action but arguably not quasi-lockdown .
The obsession with case numbers obscures more important trends around mortality and intensive care. The relentless focus on Covid-19 may lead some to forget that every winter sees a rise in hospital activity.
Over the last week, the number of ICU patients with Covid-19 has increased marginally, from 31 to 34. Deaths, which lag other indicators, have remained at a low level, at least until Tuesday when 13 were recorded.
Additional harms
According to the Health Service Executive, there are more than 352 free hospital beds and almost 30 critical care beds free at present, before surge capacity is considered. The system is “coping but under pressure”, its boss, Paul Reid, said a few days ago.
The five-day average of cases dropped slightly on Monday, for the first time in weeks.
Would a move to Level 4 have minimised additional harms and kept excess pressure off the health service while bending the curve and reducing infections? We’ll never know now, but it wouldn’t matter much if the six-week Level-5 lockdown offered a lasting solution.
The problem is that it doesn’t. At the start of December, when the period is up, there is no prospect of us arriving at Covid-free Nirvana; even under a best-case scenario, it’s likely we will still have hundreds of daily cases.
As a country, we’ll then be at a fork in the road. Either we continue the lockdown right up to and possibly over Christmas or we ease restrictions. If the latter happens, the pre-Christmas shopping season is saved but another lockdown is inevitable in the new year.
And so on, with each successive lockdown destroying the fabric of our society and morale of its citizens.
Vaccine awaited
Though it hasn’t been said, this is effectively the policy until a vaccine arrives. More will be invested in testing and tracing but if this had been done earlier, we might not be where we are now. Despite the denials of Ministers and health bosses, the summer, when cases dropped to low levels, was wasted.
First, we failed to spot the immediate relaxation in people’s behaviours as restrictions were eased. We failed to spot outbreaks in meat plants until it was too late and we reduced testing when it needed to be increased.
Level 5 is yet another blunt instrument uniformly applied to decent people who have been faithfully following the rules in exactly the same way as to those who either don’t care or don’t agree .
Surely non-compliance is a greater issue compared to the economic and social behaviours of people complying? Would curfews, or controls on alcohol off-sales, not have been more effective in tackling this non-compliance?
Dealing with Covid-19 isn’t easy. Ireland is certainly not alone in the challenges. But it would be nice to know, before embarking on six weeks of hardship, that we had a prize in sight. Sadly, other than repeated bouts of restrictions, we clearly don’t.


theirishtimes--2020-10-21--‘Absolutely imperative’ Deis school stays open amid Covid - principal

Looking around the yard in Moyross National School , which has 350 children on its roll in one of the State ’ s poorest districts , principal Tiernan O ’ Neill is certain of one thing .
The school must not close .
It is “ absolutely imperative ” that the Deis ( disadvantaged ) school remain open despite the Covid-19 pandemic , he argues , not only to avoid “ huge impacts ” on his students ’ ability to study and learn , but also on their “ mental and social progression ” .
“ Unemployment , addiction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” O ’ Neill tells The Irish Times , and the Covid-19 restrictions that affected the State for months have “ exacerbated ” Moyross ’ s already existing problems .
Acknowledging the fears held by some teachers about the schools staying open , Mr O ’ Neill said he saw the effects the first closure had on his students : “ The level of anxiety of children returning to school was huge.
” The school raised funds in the early months of the pandemic to buy tablets and laptops for children so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ We purchased 60 digital devices , and it nowhere near met the demand .
We would need a further 60 to 80 at a minimum.
” Even with the equipment , digital learning creates its own problems , says O ’ Neill : “ Nothing beats the physical connection with the teacher , the warmth , the empathy , the care , the love that emanates from teachers in the classroom to coax , to guide , to cajole children along .
“ You just can ’ t do that through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You have children living in homes where there could 14 people , so access to laptops and iPads is just not possible or realistic , ” he declares .
During the first lockdown , some of his children had to access online platforms on their mobile phone : “ It ’ s too small a screen , it ’ s just not conducive to positive interaction , it ’ s another massive issue.
” “ Online learning has further widened the gap between the haves and the have nots .
More importantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deis school had started to narrow are starting to widen again , ” he went on .
The existing testing and tracing system is shambolic , he agrees : “ It ’ s not good enough that , at a weekend or late at night that I am ringing parents about making public health decisions about whether children should come to school the following day .
“ The current situation in schools is completely untenable .
The biggest issue we would have , and which the Government has completely failed to deliver on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast-tracked , school-specific testing and tracing system .
“ This pandemic didn ’ t just arrive yesterday ; schools went into lockdown last March – yet here we are still talking about schools still being provided with appropriate measures that enable us to remain open .
“ What has gone on in the Department of Education for the last seven or eight months ?
” he queries .
“ The silence from [ it ] is deafening , and no matter what kind of fancy terminology you use , such as ‘ bubbles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overcrowded and under-funded.
” Clearly angry , the Moyross school principal went on : I ’ ll be very honest with you , we don ’ t need any more patronising soundbites from the Department about the wonderful work we are doing.
” The coming winter months poses fresh challenges , he says : “ The window for getting children out into the yard and open air is narrowing with every day that passes .
These kids are going to in confined spaces for longer periods of time .
”

Looking around the yard in Moyross National School, which has 350 children on its roll in one of the State’s poorest districts, principal Tiernan O’Neill is certain of one thing. The school must not close.
It is “absolutely imperative” that the Deis (disadvantaged) school remain open despite the Covid-19 pandemic, he argues, not only to avoid “huge impacts” on his students’ ability to study and learn, but also on their “mental and social progression”.
“Unemployment, addiction, and homelessness are already huge issues here,” O’Neill tells The Irish Times, and the Covid-19 restrictions that affected the State for months have “exacerbated” Moyross’s already existing problems.
Hospital Report
Acknowledging the fears held by some teachers about the schools staying open, Mr O’Neill said he saw the effects the first closure had on his students: “The level of anxiety of children returning to school was huge.”
READ MORE
The school raised funds in the early months of the pandemic to buy tablets and laptops for children so that they could learn online at home: “We purchased 60 digital devices, and it nowhere near met the demand. We would need a further 60 to 80 at a minimum.”
Digital problems
Even with the equipment, digital learning creates its own problems, says O’Neill: “Nothing beats the physical connection with the teacher, the warmth, the empathy, the care, the love that emanates from teachers in the classroom to coax, to guide, to cajole children along.
“You just can’t do that through a screen, its just not possible. You have children living in homes where there could 14 people, so access to laptops and iPads is just not possible or realistic,” he declares.
During the first lockdown, some of O’Neill’s pupils had to access online platforms on their mobile phones: “It’s too small a screen, it’s just not conducive to positive interaction, it’s another massive issue.”
“Online learning has further widened the gap between the haves and the have nots. More importantly, the gap that we as a Deis school had started to narrow are starting to widen again,” he went on.
‘Untenable’ situation
The existing testing and tracing system is shambolic, he agrees: “It’s not good enough that, at a weekend or late at night that I am ringing parents about making public health decisions about whether children should come to school the following day.
“The current situation in schools is completely untenable. The biggest issue we would have, and which the Government has completely failed to deliver on, is a fit for purpose, fast-tracked, school-specific testing and tracing system.
“This pandemic didn’t just arrive yesterday; schools went into lockdown last March – yet here we are still talking about schools still being provided with appropriate measures that enable us to remain open.
“What has gone on in the Department of Education for the last seven or eight months?” he queries. “The silence from [it] is deafening, and no matter what kind of fancy terminology you use, such as ‘bubbles and pods’ – our schools are overcrowded and under-funded.”
Clearly angry, the Moyross school principal went on: I’ll be very honest with you, we don’t need any more patronising soundbites from the Department about the wonderful work we are doing.”
The coming winter months poses fresh challenges, he says: “The window for getting children out into the yard and open air is narrowing with every day that passes. These kids are going to in confined spaces for longer periods of time.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-20--NCBI ‘genuinely concerned’ over viability following shop closures

The national charity supporting the blind has said it is “ genuinely concerned ” over its ability to continue to run services , due to an expected drop in income during the six-week lockdown .
The National Council for the Blind of Ireland ( NCBI ) runs 114 charity shops across the country , to fund services for people who are blind or visually impared .
The organisation said the closure of its shops under the nationwide lockdown from Wednesday will result in a loss of over €1 million .
The charity provides rehabilitation and training , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by vision loss , assisting about 8,000 people a year .
In a statement on Tuesday , the organisation said it is “ genuinely concerned about its ability to continue to fund its frontline services due to the Level 5 restrictions being imposed , resulting in the temporary closure of its 114 shops nationwide.
” Chris White , NCBI chief executive , said the organisation “ fully understand ” the restrictions are necessary to protect public health .
“ But the consequences will result in considerable strain on funding for services provided by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our services throughout 2020 have been in high demand and we ’ ve responded accordingly , to ensure people who are blind or vision impaired are supported and stay connected , ” he said .
“ Covid-19 has affected everyone ’ s lives but it has also robbed people of their sense of touch , which is vital for people who are blind or vision impaired and has led to increased feelings of isolation and vulnerability , ” he said .
While the Health Service Executive funds the majority of its services , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million each year .
During the first national lockdown the organisation made a number of temporary layoffs and salary cuts to staff in April , due to similar financial difficulties .
The NCBI runs a rehabilitation and training centre on Whitworth Road , Drumcondra , north Dublin , and two centres for social activities in Drumcondra and Co Wexford .

The National Council for the Blind in Ireland said their ‘services throughout 2020 have been in high demand and we’ve responded accordingly’. File photograph: Getty
The national charity supporting the blind has said it is “genuinely concerned” over its ability to continue to run services, due to an expected drop in income during the six-week lockdown.
The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) runs 114 charity shops across the country, to fund services for people who are blind or visually impared.
The organisation said the closure of its shops under the nationwide lockdown from Wednesday will result in a loss of over €1 million.
The charity provides rehabilitation and training, as well as counselling and employment support to those affected by vision loss, assisting about 8,000 people a year.
READ MORE
In a statement on Tuesday, the organisation said it is “genuinely concerned about its ability to continue to fund its frontline services due to the Level 5 restrictions being imposed, resulting in the temporary closure of its 114 shops nationwide.”
Chris White, NCBI chief executive, said the organisation "fully understand" the restrictions are necessary to protect public health. "But the consequences will result in considerable strain on funding for services provided by NCBI," he said.
“Our services throughout 2020 have been in high demand and we’ve responded accordingly, to ensure people who are blind or vision impaired are supported and stay connected,” he said.
“Covid-19 has affected everyone’s lives but it has also robbed people of their sense of touch, which is vital for people who are blind or vision impaired and has led to increased feelings of isolation and vulnerability,” he said.
While the Health Service Executive funds the majority of its services, the organisation also has to fundraise €3 million each year.
During the first national lockdown the organisation made a number of temporary layoffs and salary cuts to staff in April, due to similar financial difficulties.
The NCBI runs a rehabilitation and training centre on Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, north Dublin, and two centres for social activities in Drumcondra and Co Wexford.


theirishtimes--2020-10-20--Covid-19: Backlog forces HSE to skip calls to thousands of close contacts

Thousands of close contacts of positive Covid-19 cases from over a three day period will not be contacted by the HSE because the contact tracing system was overwhelmed by cases last weekend .
The HSE has said that it will send a text message on Wednesday to between 2,000 and 2,500 people , who have already been informed by text of their infection , asking them to tell their own close contacts to contact their GPs immediately to seek a Covid-19 test .
Normally contact tracers call newly-infected people to ask for their close contacts and then call those close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested to stem transmission of the disease .
However , the HSE ’ s contact tracers faced an unprecedented number of confirmed cases last weekend , resulting in a backlog of cases over three days , from Friday to Sunday .
It was decided not to contact the infected people for their close contacts over fears this would lead to a delay of days in contact tracing and to concentrate instead on tracing the contacts of Monday ’ s cases to avoid a backlog given the continuing high of cases being reported daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schoolchildren among the confirmed Covid-19 cases over the three days are , however , being called and their close contacts sought and contacted .
Covid-19 cases have , on average , five close contacts , but the HSE said the removal of school cases , who have more contacts on average , means potentially 8,000 close contacts could be affected .
“ In response to the high numbers of people testing positive for Covid-19 over the past weekend , and in a continuing effort to maintain effective turnaround times for contact tracing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people to alert their own close contacts of their positive result as a once-off measure , ” said Niamh O ’ Beirne , the HSE manager in charge of testing and tracing .
“ This step is being taken to ensure that each person receives information as quickly as possible , allowing them to be aware of their status as a close contact and to take action to care for themselves , and protect others from infection.
” The HSE will ask the infected person to forward the text message to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movements and to contact their GP immediately to arrange a test .
The “ one-off temporary measure ” was being implemented in consultation with GPs “ to ensure those affected are tested as quickly as possible , ” said Ms O ’ Beirne .
A further 13 deaths of people with Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team , the highest daily number since late May .
And a further 1,269 confirmed cases of the disease were reported .
Meanwhile , the Government fears public health officials will seek another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a few weeks over Christmas , according to sources with knowledge of the discussions .
National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) members suggested infections would rise during December once restrictions were eased , making a return to Level 5 necessary in the new year .
This was one scenario discussed at Saturday ’ s meeting between the Taoiseach , Tánaiste , ministers and Nphet officials .
The suggestion is at odds with the exit strategy agreed within Government , which envisages the lifting of Level 5 measures if the reproduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases are falling “ consistently ” .
Ministers hope it may be possible to move down to Level 4 restrictions earlier than planned in the six-week lockdown , due to begin at midnight on Wednesday .
A regional or local approach may also be taken , so that individual counties may be able to escape lockdown if their figures improve , one Government source said .

The HSE has said that it will send a text message on Wednesday to between 2,000 and 2,500 people, who have already been informed by text of their infection, asking them to tell their own close contacts to contact their GPs immediately to seek a test. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Thousands of close contacts of positive Covid-19 cases from over a three day period will not be contacted by the HSE because the contact tracing system was overwhelmed by cases last weekend.
The HSE has said that it will send a text message on Wednesday to between 2,000 and 2,500 people, who have already been informed by text of their infection, asking them to tell their own close contacts to contact their GPs immediately to seek a Covid-19 test.
Normally contact tracers call newly-infected people to ask for their close contacts and then call those close contacts to arrange for them to be tested to stem transmission of the disease.
Hospital Report
However, the HSE’s contact tracers faced an unprecedented number of confirmed cases last weekend, resulting in a backlog of cases over three days, from Friday to Sunday.
READ MORE
It was decided not to contact the infected people for their close contacts over fears this would lead to a delay of days in contact tracing and to concentrate instead on tracing the contacts of Monday’s cases to avoid a backlog given the continuing high of cases being reported daily.
Vulnerable people aged over 70 and schoolchildren among the confirmed Covid-19 cases over the three days are, however, being called and their close contacts sought and contacted.
‘Once-off measure’
Covid-19 cases have, on average, five close contacts, but the HSE said the removal of school cases, who have more contacts on average, means potentially 8,000 close contacts could be affected.
“In response to the high numbers of people testing positive for Covid-19 over the past weekend, and in a continuing effort to maintain effective turnaround times for contact tracing, the HSE is asking a limited number of people to alert their own close contacts of their positive result as a once-off measure,” said Niamh O’Beirne, the HSE manager in charge of testing and tracing.
“This step is being taken to ensure that each person receives information as quickly as possible, allowing them to be aware of their status as a close contact and to take action to care for themselves, and protect others from infection.”
The HSE will ask the infected person to forward the text message to their close contacts advising them to restrict their movements and to contact their GP immediately to arrange a test.
The “one-off temporary measure” was being implemented in consultation with GPs “to ensure those affected are tested as quickly as possible,” said Ms O’Beirne.
A further 13 deaths of people with Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team, the highest daily number since late May. And a further 1,269 confirmed cases of the disease were reported.
Further lockdowns
Meanwhile, the Government fears public health officials will seek another lockdown in January after restrictions are eased for a few weeks over Christmas, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions.
National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) members suggested infections would rise during December once restrictions were eased, making a return to Level 5 necessary in the new year. This was one scenario discussed at Saturday’s meeting between the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, ministers and Nphet officials.
The suggestion is at odds with the exit strategy agreed within Government, which envisages the lifting of Level 5 measures if the reproduction number of Covid-19 drops below 1 and cases are falling “consistently”.
Ministers hope it may be possible to move down to Level 4 restrictions earlier than planned in the six-week lockdown, due to begin at midnight on Wednesday.
A regional or local approach may also be taken, so that individual counties may be able to escape lockdown if their figures improve, one Government source said.


theirishtimes--2020-10-20--CervicalCheck Tribunal to begin work next week, Cabinet agrees

The CervicalCheck Tribunal which is to investigate negligence in the State ’ s cancer screening programme will begin its work on October 27th , the Cabinet has decided .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly brought a memo to the Cabinet meeting proposing next Tuesday as the start date .
The tribunal was established as an alternative to legal proceedings for women affected by diagnostic mistakes arising from misread screenings .
It had originally been scheduled to begin its work last March , but was delayed over six months by the onset of the coronavirus outbreak .
The body will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Courts of Appeal who will serve on the tribunal along with Judge Tony O ’ Connor from the High Court and retired judge Brian McGovern .
At present there are 203 active claims arising out of the CervicalCheck controversy .
Another eight have been resolved .
Campaigners have expressed concerns about the possibility of the proceedings being adversarial in nature .
In a radio interview last month , Mr Donnelly said that the tribunal was recommended in an exploratory and vetting process by another judge , Charles Meenan of the High Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Mr Donnelly said if the labs challenged the women ’ s claims , they would have a right to defend themselves against those assertions .
But he said he hoped the experience of the three judges would allow them to see patterns to allow the process to be as facilitative as possible towards the impacted women .
The scandal came to light when Vicky Phelan settled a High Court action in 2018 over a misread smear test .
Since then , Ms Phelan , from Limerick , has spearheaded a campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women who suffered adverse health effects or died as a result of mistakes in reading smear test results .
Separately , the Cabinet agreed to draft an Electoral Reform Bill which will allow the long-promised electoral commission and the modernisation of the register of electors .
It will also change the law to facilitate the “ holding of electoral events where Covid-19 restrictions are in place ” .
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris brought a Bill that will allow students from Northern Ireland to access the Erasmus programme of studying in another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred .
The Minister for Housing Darragh O ’ Brien also told the meeting that he will publish an internal departmental report on co-living soon , once he has reviewed it along with Minister for State Peter Burke .
Meanwhile , the Cabinet decided to oppose the private members ’ Bill being brought this week by Sinn Féin against co-living policies being set by the Government .

The CervicalCheck Tribunal which is to investigate negligence in the State’s cancer screening programme will begin its work on October 27th, the Cabinet has decided.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly brought a memo to the Cabinet meeting proposing next Tuesday as the start date.
The tribunal was established as an alternative to legal proceedings for women affected by diagnostic mistakes arising from misread screenings. It had originally been scheduled to begin its work last March, but was delayed over six months by the onset of the coronavirus outbreak.
The body will be chaired by Ms Justice Ann Power of the Courts of Appeal who will serve on the tribunal along with Judge Tony O’Connor from the High Court and retired judge Brian McGovern.
READ MORE
At present there are 203 active claims arising out of the CervicalCheck controversy. Another eight have been resolved.
Campaigners have expressed concerns about the possibility of the proceedings being adversarial in nature. In a radio interview last month, Mr Donnelly said that the tribunal was recommended in an exploratory and vetting process by another judge, Charles Meenan of the High Court, as the “best possible option”.
Mr Donnelly said if the labs challenged the women’s claims, they would have a right to defend themselves against those assertions.
But he said he hoped the experience of the three judges would allow them to see patterns to allow the process to be as facilitative as possible towards the impacted women.
The scandal came to light when Vicky Phelan settled a High Court action in 2018 over a misread smear test. Since then, Ms Phelan, from Limerick, has spearheaded a campaign to highlight the plight of hundreds of women who suffered adverse health effects or died as a result of mistakes in reading smear test results.
Separately, the Cabinet agreed to draft an Electoral Reform Bill which will allow the long-promised electoral commission and the modernisation of the register of electors. It will also change the law to facilitate the “holding of electoral events where Covid-19 restrictions are in place”.
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris brought a Bill that will allow students from Northern Ireland to access the Erasmus programme of studying in another EU State, even after Brexit has occurred.
The Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien also told the meeting that he will publish an internal departmental report on co-living soon, once he has reviewed it along with Minister for State Peter Burke.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet decided to oppose the private members’ Bill being brought this week by Sinn Féin against co-living policies being set by the Government.


theirishtimes--2020-10-20--Fines for Covid-19 breaches can influence behaviour but will people pay them?

Another month , another new set of Covid-19 laws .
Starting in March 2020 when the Health Act 2020 was introduced , the Irish public has been subject to a sometimes bewildering array of guidelines , restrictions and penal provisions .
The latest set of powers , which were decided by Cabinet on Tuesday , will allow gardaí issue fines for breaching the Level 5 restrictions due to come into effect on Thursday morning .
Those found engaging in non-essential travel more than 5km from home or refusing to wear a face mask in designated areas will likely face fines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also have the power to issue €1,000 fines to organisers of house parties .
Under previous versions of the restrictions , gardaí were able to prosecute event organisers and people engaged in non-essential travel in the District Court , with convictions resulting in up to six months in prison and a €2,500 fine .
However , these provisions were viewed by officials as overly draconian and were rarely enforced anyway .
We can expect the lower , on-the-spot fines to be issued more generally .
But are fines an effective way of altering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has been ongoing among behaviour scientists and health and public health experts since the start of the pandemic .
According to Dr Pete Lunn , who heads the Economic and Social Research Institute ’ s Behavioural Research Unit , people tend to overestimate the effectiveness of fines as a deterrent .
“ Most people who break the rules are not actually undertaking some cost-benefit analysis where they ’ re taking into account the likelihood of getting caught and the size of the punishment.
” This is especially so with Covid-19 regulations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons , only a small number of rulebreakers are actually going to be caught .
“ If you think about how many rules we ’ re taking about and how much behaviour is involved , monitoring is almost impossible.
” Nevertheless “ a degree of punishment ” can play an important role as a “ social signal ” , Lunn says .
“ It helps the people who are making sacrifices to see rulebreakers getting picked up and punished.
” In this regard the gardaí have a tightrope to walk .
Seeing some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public solidarity but any overreach could have the opposite effect .
Evidence of this has already been seen in the UK and France where Covid-19 fines systems have been in place for months .
Early in the pandemic French police were criticised for fining homeless people for failing to stay indoors .
In the UK hundreds of prosecutions for breaches had to be dismissed because of a misapplication of the law .
In some Asian countries , large fines and other draconian punishments have formed a central part of state responses to Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing an important role in the region ’ s successful response to the virus .
In Singapore , for example , officials use mobile apps to monitor the movements of quarantining citizens , with $ 10,000 fines for those who are found outside their homes .
In parts of Indonesia , rulebreakers can be forced to dig the graves of Covid-19 victims .
Such measures are unlikely to work in a liberal democracy such as Ireland .
Instead “ voluntary behaviour will be overwhelmingly the most important factor , ” says Lunn .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a piece of the puzzle.
” The gardaí who will be responsible for issuing these fines have so far expressed mixed views on their introduction .
Like other Covid-19 measures , the fines will only be issued when other options have been exhausted .
Gardaí will be encouraged to utilise the “ Four Es ” approach : engage , explain , encourage and , as a last resort , enforce .
This means a huge amount of discretion will be involved in the issuing of fines .
One Garda district may see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared with another where members prefer a softly softly approach .
“ Management is obsessed with numbers .
If they see one district handing out loads of fines and us only handing out a few they ’ re going to be coming down on one of us , ” one member commented .
Some members have also questioned how gardaí fine house party organisers if they are not permitted to enter the houses .
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors suggested people could avoid being fined by simply refusing the answer the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that fines mean they can get back to what one garda termed , “ real policing ” .
Over the last several months gardaí have been expected to man checkpoints and inspect premises without any enforcement powers to back them up , leading to frustration among some members .
“ You ’ re called to a massive party and all you can say is , ‘ lads would you not consider going home , what about you ’ re poor grannies etc etc ’ .
And they can stand there and tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said another garda .
“ At least now there is a threat hanging over them.
” But what is the point of a fine if no one is going to pay it ?
We already know the Irish justice system has a problem in enforcing fines .
Those who refuse to pay the on the spot fines will likely end up before our already overburdened and backlogged court system which has a poor track record in recovering unpaid fines .
The introduction of Fines ( Payment and Recovery ) Act 2014 means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prison for failing to pay a fine .
This had the positive effect of lowering prison numbers but led to a three-fold increase in non-payment of fines .
We know from elsewhere that Covid-19 fines are unlikely to be much different .
According to UK data released last month only half of the fines issued by police for breaches of Covid-19 rules since March have been paid .

Under new measures, those found engaging in non-essential travel more than 5km from home or refusing to wear a face mask in designated areas will likely face fines of up to €500. Gardaí will also have the power to issue €1,000 fines to organisers of house parties. File photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Another month, another new set of Covid-19 laws.
Starting in March 2020 when the Health Act 2020 was introduced, the Irish public has been subject to a sometimes bewildering array of guidelines, restrictions and penal provisions.
The latest set of powers, which were decided by Cabinet on Tuesday, will allow gardaí issue fines for breaching the Level 5 restrictions due to come into effect on Thursday morning.
Hospital Report
Those found engaging in non-essential travel more than 5km from home or refusing to wear a face mask in designated areas will likely face fines of up to €500. Gardaí will also have the power to issue €1,000 fines to organisers of house parties.
READ MORE
Under previous versions of the restrictions, gardaí were able to prosecute event organisers and people engaged in non-essential travel in the District Court, with convictions resulting in up to six months in prison and a €2,500 fine.
However, these provisions were viewed by officials as overly draconian and were rarely enforced anyway. We can expect the lower, on-the-spot fines to be issued more generally.
But are fines an effective way of altering public behaviour? That is a debate which has been ongoing among behaviour scientists and health and public health experts since the start of the pandemic.
According to Dr Pete Lunn, who heads the Economic and Social Research Institute's Behavioural Research Unit, people tend to overestimate the effectiveness of fines as a deterrent.
“Most people who break the rules are not actually undertaking some cost-benefit analysis where they’re taking into account the likelihood of getting caught and the size of the punishment.”
This is especially so with Covid-19 regulations, he said, because, for various reasons, only a small number of rulebreakers are actually going to be caught.
“If you think about how many rules we’re taking about and how much behaviour is involved, monitoring is almost impossible.”
Nevertheless “a degree of punishment” can play an important role as a “social signal”, Lunn says.
“It helps the people who are making sacrifices to see rulebreakers getting picked up and punished.”
In this regard the gardaí have a tightrope to walk. Seeing some people punished for flagrant rulebreaking will help public solidarity but any overreach could have the opposite effect.
Evidence of this has already been seen in the UK and France where Covid-19 fines systems have been in place for months.
Early in the pandemic French police were criticised for fining homeless people for failing to stay indoors. In the UK hundreds of prosecutions for breaches had to be dismissed because of a misapplication of the law.
In some Asian countries, large fines and other draconian punishments have formed a central part of state responses to Covid-19 and have been credited by many as playing an important role in the region’s successful response to the virus.
In Singapore, for example, officials use mobile apps to monitor the movements of quarantining citizens, with $10,000 fines for those who are found outside their homes. In parts of Indonesia, rulebreakers can be forced to dig the graves of Covid-19 victims.
Such measures are unlikely to work in a liberal democracy such as Ireland. Instead "voluntary behaviour will be overwhelmingly the most important factor," says Lunn. "Fines are only ever going to be a piece of the puzzle."
The gardaí who will be responsible for issuing these fines have so far expressed mixed views on their introduction.
Like other Covid-19 measures, the fines will only be issued when other options have been exhausted. Gardaí will be encouraged to utilise the “Four Es” approach: engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.
This means a huge amount of discretion will be involved in the issuing of fines. One Garda district may see large numbers of fines handed out, compared with another where members prefer a softly softly approach.
“Management is obsessed with numbers. If they see one district handing out loads of fines and us only handing out a few they’re going to be coming down on one of us,” one member commented.
Some members have also questioned how gardaí fine house party organisers if they are not permitted to enter the houses. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors suggested people could avoid being fined by simply refusing the answer the door to gardaí.
Others welcomed the fact that fines mean they can get back to what one garda termed, “real policing”. Over the last several months gardaí have been expected to man checkpoints and inspect premises without any enforcement powers to back them up, leading to frustration among some members.
“You’re called to a massive party and all you can say is, ‘lads would you not consider going home, what about you’re poor grannies etc etc’. And they can stand there and tell you to mind your own business,” said another garda. “At least now there is a threat hanging over them.”
But what is the point of a fine if no one is going to pay it? We already know the Irish justice system has a problem in enforcing fines.
Those who refuse to pay the on the spot fines will likely end up before our already overburdened and backlogged court system which has a poor track record in recovering unpaid fines.
The introduction of Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 means it is very difficult to send someone to prison for failing to pay a fine.
This had the positive effect of lowering prison numbers but led to a three-fold increase in non-payment of fines.
We know from elsewhere that Covid-19 fines are unlikely to be much different. According to UK data released last month only half of the fines issued by police for breaches of Covid-19 rules since March have been paid.


theirishtimes--2020-10-20--Waterford quays developers poised for Government funding decision

The real estate company behind the €500 million redevelopment of Waterford city ’ s North Quays on Tuesday held a “ soft launch ” for the major project , which is expected to receive the green light to begin in the coming weeks .
Waterford City and County Council granted planning approval in July for the large project , which is being driven by developers Falcon Real Estate and financially backed by a Saudi Arabian firm .
It is expected there will be a combined €500 million private and public investment in the project over five years , creating thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decision on the approval of about €100 million in State funding for infrastructure works , which is expected in the coming weeks .
The development , on an eight-hectare site , will include a 15-storey hotel and conference centre , twin blocks of office space rising to seven storeys , 300 apartments spread across five buildings seven to 17 storeys in height and an open public space .
Rob Cass , director of developer Falcon , said there was now “ huge interest ” in the long awaited project .
Following Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project to go ahead , hoarding could go up around the site as early as next month , he said .
One Government source confirmed that a decision on the funding would probably be made in the coming weeks .
It was hoped that building works on the redevelopment project would begin in the second quarter of next year , Mr Cass said .
Some of the Government funding would go towards relocating the nearby Plunkett train station east on to the quay .
It would then become part of a transport hub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pedestrians , with a link-bridge connecting the North Quays site to the city centre across the river Suir .

An artist’s impression of the proposed development at Waterford’s North Quays. Photograph: Falcon Real Estate Development Ireland
The real estate company behind the €500 million redevelopment of Waterford city’s North Quays on Tuesday held a “soft launch” for the major project, which is expected to receive the green light to begin in the coming weeks.
Waterford City and County Council granted planning approval in July for the large project, which is being driven by developers Falcon Real Estate and financially backed by a Saudi Arabian firm.
It is expected there will be a combined €500 million private and public investment in the project over five years, creating thousands of jobs.
The project is awaiting a decision on the approval of about €100 million in State funding for infrastructure works, which is expected in the coming weeks.
READ MORE
The development, on an eight-hectare site, will include a 15-storey hotel and conference centre, twin blocks of office space rising to seven storeys, 300 apartments spread across five buildings seven to 17 storeys in height and an open public space.
Funding decision
Rob Cass, director of developer Falcon, said there was now “huge interest” in the long awaited project.
Following Government funding for infrastructure works to enable the project to go ahead, hoarding could go up around the site as early as next month, he said.
One Government source confirmed that a decision on the funding would probably be made in the coming weeks.
It was hoped that building works on the redevelopment project would begin in the second quarter of next year, Mr Cass said.
Some of the Government funding would go towards relocating the nearby Plunkett train station east on to the quay. It would then become part of a transport hub catering for rail, buses, cyclists and pedestrians, with a link-bridge connecting the North Quays site to the city centre across the river Suir.


theirishtimes--2020-10-20--Man held after gardaí seize cannabis worth €800,000 in Dublin

A man was arrested by gardaí after they seized cannabis worth an estimated €800,000 in Dublin on Tuesday .
Gardaí @ @ @ @ @ in the Clondalkin area of west Dublin as part of an investigation into serious and @ @ @ @ @ course of the operation , officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau @ @ @ @ @ pending analysis ) , as well as some €80,000 in cash .
One man ( @ @ @ @ @ gardaí .
He was being held at Clondakin Garda station under section 2 of the @ @ @ @ @ ) Act 1996 .

A man was arrested by gardaí after they seized cannabis worth an estimated €800,000 in Dublin on Tuesday.
Gardaí stopped and searched a vehicle in the Clondalkin area of west Dublin as part of an investigation into serious and organised crime.
During the course of the operation, officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau discovered 40kg of cannabis (pending analysis), as well as some €80,000 in cash.
One man (47) was arrested by gardaí. He was being held at Clondakin Garda station under section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.


theirishtimes--2020-10-20--Brian Hayes says he considered resigning over Oireachtas golf dinner

Brian Hayes , chief executive of Banking & Payments Federation Ireland ( BPFI ) , considered resigning after he attended this year ’ s controversial Oireachtas golf society dinner , the former Fine Gael minister of state and MEP has said .
Mr Hayes attended the gathering in August of this year , which led to the resignation of then Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary and European Commissioner Phil Hogan .
Attended by more than 80 people , it went ahead despite Covid-19 public health guidelines placing limits on indoor gatherings .
However , Mr Hayes , who was formerly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on Tuesday that he discussed the matter with the board of his current employer , the BPFI .
Asked if he had considered resigning , he said : “ I did but I felt having spoken with our board that it wasn ’ t the appropriate thing to do .
I took on an important responsibility for an important sector .
A sector that I believe in , that has made a huge number of mistakes in the past , but a sector that ’ s important to the future of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Drivetime programme .
“ And I thought the right thing to do was to stick with it , to apologise , which I did , and I ’ ve no difficulty in making that apology again to you now , ” he told presenter Sarah McInerney .
Asked if he was sanctioned by his employer , he said he had a “ very long conversation ” with the BPFI .
He said the BPFI “ took the matter very seriously and they ’ ve accepted my apology and I appreciate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Hayes returned to the point that he was on his holidays when the event occurred , and that he would usually attend the golfing dinner as part of his holiday routine .
“ I was on my holidays at the time and like a lot of people I would have done things differently had I thought about it at the time .
I was in Clifden at the time .
There was a lot of people on their holidays .
As I said I apologise unreservedly , unreservedly and sincerely for attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said that he was aware during the event that there was a second room behind a partition that had been set up .
Supreme Court Justice Séamus Woulfe , who has also come under severe pressure and faced widespread criticism for his attendance at the dinner , has said he was not aware there was a second room with attendees in it behind the partition .
Mr Hayes made no reference to this in the interview .
Mr Hayes said : “ I knew there was a second function room yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them yes.
” Asked if he knew he was breaking the rules , he said : “ Well I didn ’ t but I was hugely embarrassed when I went to the dinner and I apologise unreservedly now as I did at the time.
” He said that he recognises “ he hurt that the dinner caused .
Whatever the best motivations of people and the best intentions of people at the time it was wrong to have that dinner .
I apologised at the time and I do so again .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it caused a huge amount of angst in the country and I fully recognise that ” .
Asked again if he knew he was breaking the rules , he said : “ I didn ’ t really and when I went into the situation I wished I hadn ’ t .
I know at the time there are two very large rooms , an attempt was made by all of the organisers in the hotel concerned…but irrespective of the rules I shouldn ’ t have gone , there shouldn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the point I ’ m making .
Mr Hayes , when asked if he could understand the perception that there was a golden circle of politicians socialising with representatives of the banking sector he said that was not what happened .
“ Anyone who knows me knows I play golf .
They know I ’ m a former member of the Oireachtas .
It was a social setting for people.
” He said he did not speak to Mr Calleary at the dinner .
“ I was on my holiday the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the banks or saying anything about banking policy to anyone , for anyone who knows me that was not going to happen on my holiday .
“ I attended that same event for probably each year in the last 15 years .
It ’ s normally the start of my holiday .
“ All I can tell you is the truth and I know others want to depict it in another way but that ’ s a matter for other people .
”

Brian Hayes, chief executive of Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), considered resigning after he attended this year's controversial Oireachtas golf society dinner, the former Fine Gael minister of state and MEP has said.
Mr Hayes attended the gathering in August of this year, which led to the resignation of then Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary and European Commissioner Phil Hogan. Attended by more than 80 people, it went ahead despite Covid-19 public health guidelines placing limits on indoor gatherings.
However, Mr Hayes, who was formerly minister of state for financial services, said on Tuesday that he discussed the matter with the board of his current employer, the BPFI.
Asked if he had considered resigning, he said: "I did but I felt having spoken with our board that it wasn't the appropriate thing to do. I took on an important responsibility for an important sector. A sector that I believe in, that has made a huge number of mistakes in the past, but a sector that's important to the future of this country," he told RTÉ Radio's Drivetime programme.
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“And I thought the right thing to do was to stick with it, to apologise, which I did, and I’ve no difficulty in making that apology again to you now,” he told presenter Sarah McInerney.
Asked if he was sanctioned by his employer, he said he had a “very long conversation” with the BPFI. He said the BPFI “took the matter very seriously and they’ve accepted my apology and I appreciate and recognise that”.
Several times, Mr Hayes returned to the point that he was on his holidays when the event occurred, and that he would usually attend the golfing dinner as part of his holiday routine.
"I was on my holidays at the time and like a lot of people I would have done things differently had I thought about it at the time. I was in Clifden at the time. There was a lot of people on their holidays. As I said I apologise unreservedly, unreservedly and sincerely for attending the dinner," he said.
He said that he was aware during the event that there was a second room behind a partition that had been set up.
Supreme Court Justice Séamus Woulfe, who has also come under severe pressure and faced widespread criticism for his attendance at the dinner, has said he was not aware there was a second room with attendees in it behind the partition. Mr Hayes made no reference to this in the interview.
Mr Hayes said: “I knew there was a second function room yes, and there was a clear partition between them yes.” Asked if he knew he was breaking the rules, he said: “Well I didn’t but I was hugely embarrassed when I went to the dinner and I apologise unreservedly now as I did at the time.”
He said that he recognises “he hurt that the dinner caused. Whatever the best motivations of people and the best intentions of people at the time it was wrong to have that dinner. I apologised at the time and I do so again. It shouldn’t have happened and I think it caused a huge amount of angst in the country and I fully recognise that”.
Asked again if he knew he was breaking the rules, he said: “I didn’t really and when I went into the situation I wished I hadn’t. I know at the time there are two very large rooms, an attempt was made by all of the organisers in the hotel concerned…but irrespective of the rules I shouldn’t have gone, there shouldn’t have been a celebratory dinner. That’s the point I’m making.
Mr Hayes, when asked if he could understand the perception that there was a golden circle of politicians socialising with representatives of the banking sector he said that was not what happened. “Anyone who knows me knows I play golf. They know I’m a former member of the Oireachtas. It was a social setting for people.”
He said he did not speak to Mr Calleary at the dinner. “I was on my holiday the idea that I was going to be lobbying for the banks or saying anything about banking policy to anyone, for anyone who knows me that was not going to happen on my holiday.
“I attended that same event for probably each year in the last 15 years. It’s normally the start of my holiday.
“All I can tell you is the truth and I know others want to depict it in another way but that’s a matter for other people.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-20--Warning over impact of timber shortages due to forest licence backlog

The timber shortages resulting from the forest licence backlog continues to threaten the Irish forestry industry , which in normal circumstances exports €1 billion worth of timber each year , the Irish Farmers Association has warned .
In spite of recent forestry legislation introduced to enable the Forestry Appeals Committee function properly , the persisting backlog is “ jeopardising jobs and businesses that have been built up over the last 40 years to support expansion of the private forest sector , ” IFA president Tim Cullinan told the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee .
Current difficulties were also forcing sawmillers to import @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is unnecessarily endangering the health of the national forest estate through the potential introduction of pests and disease ” , he told the committee , which is reviewing the forestry sector .
More than 1,000 farmers who planted land in good faith were caught up in the current forestry licence crisis , unable to get a licence to manage their forests , Mr Cullinan said .
“ The consequence is that farmers no longer view forestry as a safe investment , they feel increasingly like powerless spectators in the management of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the replanting obligation without recourse , ” he said .
They are facing delays of up to two years and in some instances significantly longer to get the licences required to build a forest road or to thin their forest .
“ The sustainable and timely management of forests is essential to optimise timber production and the economic return , but also to maximise ecosystem services and social benefits of these forests , ” he added .
A natura impact statement ( NIS ) was now required with licence applications “ if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reasonable timeframe ” .
The majority of farm forests can not support the cost of a NIS and are being disadvantaged and discouraged from managing their forests .
“ If the system is not made more farmer friendly , the proposals set out in the programme for government and the afforestation targets in the climate action plan will not be achieved , ” he warned , with farmers set to plant fewer than 1,500 hectares this year .
There are nearly 2,500 forest licences caught up in “ the internal Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed , and the delays are having a greater impact on farmers .
The IFA set out measures urgently needed , notably that no farmer has to wait longer than four months for a licence , as set out in the Forestry Act 2014 .
These should be introduced “ with the same determination shown by this Government and Minister [ Pippa ] Hackett , which saw recent forestry legislation enable the Forestry Appeals Committee to function properly ” .
The catastrophic scale of destruction to forestry caused by ash dieback disease is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development , John O ’ Connell of Limerick Tipperary Woodland Owners ( LTWO ) Ltd told the committee .
The fungal disease , first reported in Ireland in 2012 , had spread throughout the country and was going to wipe out 95 per cent of our native ash , he confirmed .
Importation of trees defied logic as ash is a native species and should have been propagated here , he added .
At this point , 20,000 hectares of ash which was privately owned – mostly by farmers – was inevitably going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by farmer-foresters primarily because it is a native broadleaf : fast-growing , and of high commercial potential , notably in hurley making , furniture , kitchens and boat building – and “ has a high biodiversity value ” .
The current Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme announced in June was “ unworkable ” and was rejected by farmer/foresters as it does not adequately address the enormous losses sustained .
Affortestation pioneers who planted over 25 years ago , who are relied upon within the sector for advice and experience , were precluded from participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading to a prevailing disillusionment , ” Mr O ’ Connell said .
The value of these plantations has been reduced to that of firewood .
“ At this point they should be 15 years away from a significant commercial value , not to mention the environmental benefit of decades of work being undone , ” he added .
“ Farmer-foresters are climate custodians .
There is no more efficient way of mitigating CO2 than planting trees.
” “ If we want a forest industry in this country , address the ash dieback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
LTWO director Simon White confirmed disillusionment was undermining efforts to develop native woodlands .
The amount of research on disease-resistant ash was tiny , he underlined .
“ To rely on that is a little premature , ” he believed .
Nobody had been held accountable for the importation of trees at a time the disease was rampant in Europe , Mr White pointed out .

IFA president Tim Cullinan: Farmers feel increasingly like powerless spectators in the management of their own forests, locked into forestry under the replanting obligation without recourse. Photograph: Tom Honan for The Irish Times
The timber shortages resulting from the forest licence backlog continues to threaten the Irish forestry industry, which in normal circumstances exports €1 billion worth of timber each year, the Irish Farmers Association has warned.
In spite of recent forestry legislation introduced to enable the Forestry Appeals Committee function properly, the persisting backlog is "jeopardising jobs and businesses that have been built up over the last 40 years to support expansion of the private forest sector," IFA president Tim Cullinan told the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee.
Current difficulties were also forcing sawmillers to import timber “when we are actually self-sufficient, which is unnecessarily endangering the health of the national forest estate through the potential introduction of pests and disease”, he told the committee, which is reviewing the forestry sector.
More than 1,000 farmers who planted land in good faith were caught up in the current forestry licence crisis, unable to get a licence to manage their forests, Mr Cullinan said.
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“The consequence is that farmers no longer view forestry as a safe investment, they feel increasingly like powerless spectators in the management of their own forests, locked into forestry under the replanting obligation without recourse,” he said.
They are facing delays of up to two years and in some instances significantly longer to get the licences required to build a forest road or to thin their forest.
“The sustainable and timely management of forests is essential to optimise timber production and the economic return, but also to maximise ecosystem services and social benefits of these forests,” he added.
A natura impact statement (NIS) was now required with licence applications “if you wish to get a decision within a reasonable timeframe”. The majority of farm forests cannot support the cost of a NIS and are being disadvantaged and discouraged from managing their forests.
“If the system is not made more farmer friendly, the proposals set out in the programme for government and the afforestation targets in the climate action plan will not be achieved,” he warned, with farmers set to plant fewer than 1,500 hectares this year.
There are nearly 2,500 forest licences caught up in “the internal Department of Agriculture forest licence system”, he confirmed, and the delays are having a greater impact on farmers.
The IFA set out measures urgently needed, notably that no farmer has to wait longer than four months for a licence, as set out in the Forestry Act 2014. These should be introduced “with the same determination shown by this Government and Minister [Pippa] Hackett, which saw recent forestry legislation enable the Forestry Appeals Committee to function properly”.
The catastrophic scale of destruction to forestry caused by ash dieback disease is also undermining farmers' confidence in forestry development, John O'Connell of Limerick Tipperary Woodland Owners (LTWO) Ltd told the committee.
The fungal disease, first reported in Ireland in 2012, had spread throughout the country and was going to wipe out 95 per cent of our native ash, he confirmed.
Importation of trees defied logic as ash is a native species and should have been propagated here, he added. At this point, 20,000 hectares of ash which was privately owned – mostly by farmers – was inevitably going to die.
Ash trees were planted by farmer-foresters primarily because it is a native broadleaf: fast-growing, and of high commercial potential, notably in hurley making, furniture, kitchens and boat building – and “has a high biodiversity value”.
The current Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme announced in June was “unworkable” and was rejected by farmer/foresters as it does not adequately address the enormous losses sustained.
Affortestation pioneers who planted over 25 years ago, who are relied upon within the sector for advice and experience, were precluded from participation in the scheme. “This is leading to a prevailing disillusionment,” Mr O’Connell said.
The value of these plantations has been reduced to that of firewood. “At this point they should be 15 years away from a significant commercial value, not to mention the environmental benefit of decades of work being undone,” he added. “Farmer-foresters are climate custodians. There is no more efficient way of mitigating CO2 than planting trees.”
“If we want a forest industry in this country, address the ash dieback problem which is reducing confidence to zero,” he added.
LTWO director Simon White confirmed disillusionment was undermining efforts to develop native woodlands. The amount of research on disease-resistant ash was tiny, he underlined. "To rely on that is a little premature," he believed.
Nobody had been held accountable for the importation of trees at a time the disease was rampant in Europe, Mr White pointed out.


theirishtimes--2020-10-20--School ordered to reopen after closing due to Covid-19 fears

A secondary school in Co Kerry which decided to close due to an “ alarming increase ” in Covid-19 cases has been ordered to reopen by the Department of Education .
Tarbert Comprehensive School , a 520-pupil school in north Kerry , told pupils and parents on Monday evening that the school was closing immediately due to the need to protect the health of the school community .
School principal Richard Prendiville said he took the decision in conjunction with the chair of school ’ s board of management .
However , Mr Prendiville wrote to parents on Tuesday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed a difference of opinion ” regarding the closure .
“ The department believe , in keeping with national policy , that individually affected students should remain off school as opposed to a decision to close the school entirely , ” the principal wrote .
“ Therefore , the department have over-ruled the decision to close Tarbert Comprehensive School and instructed me to reopen from tomorrow morning .
Naturally , I have no choice but to comply with their instruction.
” He said the school was aware of seven confirmed cases of Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , along with 45 close contacts .
Under protocols published at the start of the school year , principals were advised that classes or schools should only remain at home following advice from public health authorities following a risk assessment .
Mr Prendiville said the department had also instructed the school not to provide work at home to students who opted to remain at home due to fear of infection .
However , if a student is required by the HSE to self-isolate or restrict their movements , they can be supported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over-riding rule of thumb throughout my career has been ‘ what is the right thing to do ’ in every circumstance I deal with , ” he added .
“ This situation was no different .
I will continue , to the best of my ability , in consultation with all the stakeholders of the school , to manage the health , safety and welfare of individuals to the very best of my ability.
” Mr Prendiville said his original decision to close to the school followed an “ alarming increase ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north Kerry areas .
There had also been a “ failure by some to inform the school authorities members of their families had tested positive for Covid-19 , while at the same time informing others ” he wrote .
In an earlier message posted on Monday , he said negative commentary and offensive messaging directed at some students who had the virus has been brought to his attention .
Mr Prendiville said no one was at fault for being diagnosed with Covid-19 and no one could be blamed for being a close contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to a scenario where people do not come forward if tested positive and then later lead to difficulties in contact tracing , ” he wrote .
“ It is therefore vital that support , empathy and compassion are afforded to students and their families affected at this time.
” A department spokesman said it did not comment on individual cases , however he said current guidelines ensure no school principals are “ burdened with the responsibility of making a public health decision ” .
Following confirmed cases in school settings the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a risk assessment , the spokesman said .
After that assessment public health officials “ will then advise the school of the public health instructions , which then should be followed by the school ” , he said .

Tarbert Comprehensive School in Co Kerry has been ordered to reopen by the Department of Education after deciding to close due to an ‘alarming increase’ in Covid-19 cases. Photograph: Giacomo Antonio Lombardi
A secondary school in Co Kerry which decided to close due to an “alarming increase” in Covid-19 cases has been ordered to reopen by the Department of Education.
Tarbert Comprehensive School, a 520-pupil school in north Kerry, told pupils and parents on Monday evening that the school was closing immediately due to the need to protect the health of the school community.
School principal Richard Prendiville said he took the decision in conjunction with the chair of school’s board of management.
However, Mr Prendiville wrote to parents on Tuesday evening to say the department has since "expressed a difference of opinion" regarding the closure.
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“The department believe, in keeping with national policy, that individually affected students should remain off school as opposed to a decision to close the school entirely,” the principal wrote.
“Therefore, the department have over-ruled the decision to close Tarbert Comprehensive School and instructed me to reopen from tomorrow morning. Naturally, I have no choice but to comply with their instruction.”
He said the school was aware of seven confirmed cases of Covid-19 among the student population since October 14th, along with 45 close contacts.
Under protocols published at the start of the school year, principals were advised that classes or schools should only remain at home following advice from public health authorities following a risk assessment.
Mr Prendiville said the department had also instructed the school not to provide work at home to students who opted to remain at home due to fear of infection.
However, if a student is required by the HSE to self-isolate or restrict their movements, they can be supported in continuing their learning remotely.
“My over-riding rule of thumb throughout my career has been ‘what is the right thing to do’ in every circumstance I deal with,” he added.
“This situation was no different. I will continue, to the best of my ability, in consultation with all the stakeholders of the school, to manage the health, safety and welfare of individuals to the very best of my ability.”
Mr Prendiville said his original decision to close to the school followed an "alarming increase" in positive cases in the west Limerick and north Kerry areas.
There had also been a “failure by some to inform the school authorities members of their families had tested positive for Covid-19, while at the same time informing others” he wrote.
In an earlier message posted on Monday, he said negative commentary and offensive messaging directed at some students who had the virus has been brought to his attention.
Mr Prendiville said no one was at fault for being diagnosed with Covid-19 and no one could be blamed for being a close contact.
“A blaming approach could potentially lead to a scenario where people do not come forward if tested positive and then later lead to difficulties in contact tracing,” he wrote.
“It is therefore vital that support, empathy and compassion are afforded to students and their families affected at this time.”
A department spokesman said it did not comment on individual cases, however he said current guidelines ensure no school principals are “burdened with the responsibility of making a public health decision”.
Following confirmed cases in school settings the local public health team is tasked with undertaking a risk assessment, the spokesman said.
After that assessment public health officials “will then advise the school of the public health instructions, which then should be followed by the school”, he said.