theirishtimes--2020-05-31--Long hot weekend: Monday set to be warmest day of the year so far

This bank holiday Monday is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far with a maximum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius forecast for Connacht and west Munster .
Met Éireann says temperatures will hit above 20 Celsius for all of the country on Monday , although it will be cloudier than previous days .
Temperatures on Sunday peaked at 26.5 degrees in Newport , Co Mayo , just below the 26.8 recorded in Mount Dillon , Co Roscommon on Saturday and Thursday , which was the highest temperature so far this year .
Irish Water has appealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water where they can and says it is “ exploring all options ” , including a potential hosepipe ban , to protect water supplies as the warm , dry weather continues .
Some 15 of the national water utility ’ s 900 drinking water schemes have hit “ drought status ” with another 23 at risk of going into drought , Irish Water said on Sunday .
It warned that the increased domestic demand for water , combined with a rise in commercial demand as businesses reopen , was being exacerbated by warm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Irish Water reiterated its appeal to not use power washers and also urged members of the public to use a watering can rather than a hose for plants , and to take a shower rather than a bath and to fix any dripping taps .
The warm bank holiday weather also brought a heightened risk of forest fires with a red fire warning in place around the country until Monday evening .
The Department of Agriculture , Food and the Marine issued the warning on Friday , saying there was an “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public to take “ immediate action ” if a blaze breaks out .
Firefighters continued to tackle blazes in counties Sligo , Clare , Laois and Leitrim on Sunday but successfully brought a large fire , which quickly spread on Saturday in Co Kildare , under control .
More than one hundred hectares of newly planted forest were destroyed in the blaze in Clonagh , Enfield on the Kildare-Meath border with damage worth €150,000 to the area , said Pat Neville , communications manager for Coillte .
Coillte helicopters , the Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council worked together on Saturday to keep the fire at the forest in Hortland away from a factory which produces explosives for mining and quarrying .
Mr Neville confirmed the fire had been brought under control but that blazes were continuing to spread in other parts of the country .
He urged members of the public not to do any burning outdoors and to immediately report any blazes to the fire services .
“ The conditions for fire are perfect right now – it ’ s dry , there ’ s no rain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans the fire , ” said Mr Neville .
“ Even a small fire can take hold very quickly , it can really get out of control and cause extreme risk to the public and a real health and safety risk for fire fighters.
” “ People think forest fires start naturally but that just isn ’ t the case , they ’ re nearly always started by people .
Birds and young animals are at particular risk of perishing in the blazes , he added .
“ This is the most important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and birds and young animals in dens .
Extreme damage is done to the environment with these fires.
” In Dublin , the Bull Wall wooden bridge was closed to cars over the bank holiday with access remaining opening for pedestrians and cyclists .
Motorists who live on the island or work in a local business can also continue to use the bridge , said a tweet from An Garda Síochána .
The warm weather is set to continue into Tuesday with temperatures between 22-26 degrees in the south and the midlands .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the late teens in northern counties with light patches of rain spreading into the evening .
The warm spell will come to an end on Wednesday with temperatures dropping down into the mid-teens bringing breezy , cooler conditions .

This bank holiday Monday is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far with a maximum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius forecast for Connacht and west Munster.
Met Éireann says temperatures will hit above 20 Celsius for all of the country on Monday, although it will be cloudier than previous days.
Temperatures on Sunday peaked at 26.5 degrees in Newport, Co Mayo, just below the 26.8 recorded in Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon on Saturday and Thursday, which was the highest temperature so far this year.
A woman sits among the flowers in the Botanic Gardens in Dublin as the good weather continues. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
A man lies on Portmarnock beach, Co Dublin, as the warm weather continues. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Irish Water has appealed to members of the public to conserve water where they can and says it is “exploring all options”, including a potential hosepipe ban, to protect water supplies as the warm, dry weather continues.
READ MORE
Some 15 of the national water utility’s 900 drinking water schemes have hit “drought status” with another 23 at risk of going into drought, Irish Water said on Sunday.
It warned that the increased domestic demand for water, combined with a rise in commercial demand as businesses reopen, was being exacerbated by warm weather and the growth of drought conditions.
Irish Water reiterated its appeal to not use power washers and also urged members of the public to use a watering can rather than a hose for plants, and to take a shower rather than a bath and to fix any dripping taps.
Forest fires
The warm bank holiday weather also brought a heightened risk of forest fires with a red fire warning in place around the country until Monday evening.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued the warning on Friday, saying there was an "extreme fire risk" and called on the public to take "immediate action" if a blaze breaks out.
Firefighters continued to tackle blazes in counties Sligo, Clare, Laois and Leitrim on Sunday but successfully brought a large fire, which quickly spread on Saturday in Co Kildare, under control.
More than one hundred hectares of newly planted forest were destroyed in the blaze in Clonagh, Enfield on the Kildare-Meath border with damage worth €150,000 to the area, said Pat Neville, communications manager for Coillte.
Coillte helicopters, the Irish Air Corps and units from Kildare County Council worked together on Saturday to keep the fire at the forest in Hortland away from a factory which produces explosives for mining and quarrying.
Mr Neville confirmed the fire had been brought under control but that blazes were continuing to spread in other parts of the country. He urged members of the public not to do any burning outdoors and to immediately report any blazes to the fire services.
“The conditions for fire are perfect right now – it’s dry, there’s no rain and there’s a breeze that fans the fire,” said Mr Neville. “Even a small fire can take hold very quickly, it can really get out of control and cause extreme risk to the public and a real health and safety risk for fire fighters.”
“People think forest fires start naturally but that just isn’t the case, they’re nearly always started by people.
Birds and young animals are at particular risk of perishing in the blazes, he added. “This is the most important season for nature and wildlife with nests and birds and young animals in dens. Extreme damage is done to the environment with these fires.”
In Dublin, the Bull Wall wooden bridge was closed to cars over the bank holiday with access remaining opening for pedestrians and cyclists. Motorists who live on the island or work in a local business can also continue to use the bridge, said a tweet from An Garda Síochána.
The warm weather is set to continue into Tuesday with temperatures between 22-26 degrees in the south and the midlands. However, temperatures will start to drop into the late teens in northern counties with light patches of rain spreading into the evening.
The warm spell will come to an end on Wednesday with temperatures dropping down into the mid-teens bringing breezy, cooler conditions.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--National Maternity Hospital: Has threat of church influence been removed?

The row over the transfer of the National Maternity Hospital to a site owned by a religious order was the biggest story in Irish health this century , until Covid-19 arrived .
Three years ago , the controversy convulsed the political system and sparked spontaneous protests outside the Department of Health after a former NMH master , Dr Peter Boylan , said the new hospital would be controlled by the Catholic Church .
Boylan also argued the new hospital would lack independence and expressed fears that the practice of appointing an obstetrician as “ master ” of the maternity hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was under threat .
The NMH has been trying to find a new home away from the well-worn corridors of Holles Street in Dublin city centre for decades .
A previous plan to relocate to the perimeter of the St Vincent ’ s campus came to nothing when the State-owned premises was assigned to the IDA instead .
Finally , in 2012 , the project got the go-ahead , but on a confined site in the middle of the St Vincent ’ s campus .
The NMH wanted to guard its independence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle of another hospital six times its size ?
And what about the fit between a Catholic adult hospital and a maternity hospital offering women ’ s reproductive services ?
Governance and clinical independence issues were fought out in a turf war between St Vincent ’ s and the NMH in 2016 .
Industrial relations troubleshooter Kieran Mulvey brokered an agreement between the two hospitals , which provided for each to nominate four directors to the company running the new hospital .
There would also be a ninth independent director , who would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various safety locks were laid down to protect the interests of the parties , including a “ golden share ” for the minister for health .
The Mulvey deal seemed to resolve the issue , and design of the new hospital began .
The issue lay dormant until the following year , when Boylan raised the spectre of church control .
The holding company for the new hospital would be a subsidiary of St Vincent ’ s , which in turn was owned by the Religious Sisters of Charity .
Ownership of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gifted ” to the nuns , it was argued .
Seen through the prism of church versus State , this “ revelation ” provoked huge debate in a society with a pent-up hunger for change and where the legalisation of abortion was coming on to the agenda .
Government assurances about the safeguarding of independence cut little ice .
In May 2017 , the Sisters of Charity announced they were pulling out of involvement with St Vincent ’ s .
The nuns , with an average age of 81 , had for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ association with healthcare stretching back almost two centuries .
Again , it seemed the controversy had been put to bed .
Then it became clear the congregation required Vatican permission for the transfer , which is something Boylan predicted would never happen .
The Sisters of Charity applied for permission to “ alienate ” ( transfer ) their interests in St Vincent ’ s .
Vatican sources say there was internal opposition to the move but Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin played a central role in support of the order .
Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through .
In granting the order ’ s petition , the notice of assent stated “ the provisions relating to the validity and lawfulness of alienations , found in Canons 638-639 and Canons 1292-1294 of the Code of Canon Law and in Proper Law , are to be observed ” .
In a statement , the Sisters of Charity seized on the same verb that was used against them in 2016 by saying they intended to “ gift ” their lands at St Vincent ’ s “ to the people of Ireland ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests of St Vincent ’ s – including a public and private hospital on campus and a hospital in Dún Laoghaire – would now be owned by a new “ independent , charitable body ” to be called St Vincent ’ s Holdings CLG .
A CLG is a type of structure – a company limited by guarantee – commonly used by sports clubs , charities and other non-profit organisations .
Though the question of Vatican assent had been answered , Boylan ’ s concerns have not been assuaged .
He questioned whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place a vehicle known as a “ public juridic person ” ( PJP ) , which has been used in other contexts where Catholic congregations facing terminal decline in their numbers have sought to ensure a lasting influence .
In 2016 , for example , the Sisters of Mercy transferred control of the Mater hospital to a PJP .
Its mission statement refers to participating in the “ healing ministry of Jesus Christ ” .
However , St Vincent ’ s told The Irish Times last week “ St Vincent ’ s Holdings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A spokeswoman added : “ We have always been clear that all medical procedures permitted under Irish law are provided in our hospitals and will be provided in the new NMH .
“ Once the entity is set up and the nuns have handed over the property , the holding will be an entirely independent secular civic body controlled solely by Irish law.
” Could there be some other way by which a Catholic influence could be imposed on the maternity hospital even after the Sisters of Charity have exited the scene legally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bacik have queried whether there is a wider significance to the reference to specific sections of canon law in the Vatican letter of grant .
A canon lawyer who has written an assessment of the letter of grant describes these paragraphs as “ boiler-plate ” .
“ They ’ re a checklist of practices and procedures , permissions and precautions to be observed where church property is being alienated , ” says the lawyer , who does not wish to be named in order to avoid involvement in a “ public spat ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or inhibit the Sisters from proceeding with the planned sale to St Vincent ’ s Holdings , quite the opposite , ” they added .
“ And there is nothing that could be construed as importing into the onward proposed alienation , either overtly or covertly , a stipulation that church canon law , doctrine or teaching much be observed by SVH or the proposed NMH.
” Boylan says he remains sceptical .
Is he prepared to give the benefit of any doubt to the nuns , who have after all announced their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so from the Vatican ?
“ You have to parse everything they say , ” he says .
“ They keep saying things that transpire to be not actually entirely true .
In their latest statement , for instance , they said they were gifting the site to the people of Ireland .
Then it transpires it is being transferred to a private charity.
” In response , the Sisters of Charity said this was a reference to what would happen if the holding company went into liquidation .
“ Its surplus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regulator and used for future healthcare purposes with similar values , to benefit the people of Ireland.
” Eloquent and temperate , Boylan commands respect across different areas , even as he engages in areas such as canon law that are outside his normal expertise .
“ I ’ d trust Peter greatly on these issues and I ’ d agree with his call to make all the correspondence available , ” says a senior medic and former colleague .
“ I ’ d also ask about the extent of the private facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think the nuns are in a bind on this , ” says Michael Somers , a former board member of St Vincent ’ s .
“ It would seem the Vatican wants them to be compliant with canon law , and to uphold the teaching of the Catholic Church , in how they transfer the land.
” But the canon lawyer sees no evidence of a Machiavellian conspiracy in the Vatican permission .
“ There is no tentacle , there ’ s no string , there ’ s no puppeteer here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduit , any vehicle , any structure or provision under which they can be tied to the doctrine teaching or law of the Catholic Church .
There won ’ t be ; it won ’ t exist.
” And while he has soldiered against the proposed move , the current master of the NMH , Prof Shane Higgins , and three former masters have publicly welcomed the nuns ’ announcement and restated their belief that the new hospital will enjoy full independence in the provision of services .
One of the signatories of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rhona Mahony , who like Boylan campaigned for a Yes vote in the abortion referendum in 2018 ( she is also his sister-in-law ) .
Can they all be wrong and he right ?
“ They ’ re satisfied because they ’ re keen to have the hospital , ” Boylan responds .
“ I don ’ t think they ’ ve thought through the consequences .
“ There is no problem in cardiology or orthopaedics when these are run by the religious .
They ’ ve made a fantastic contribution to healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to women ’ s reproductive healthcare.
” The memorandums and articles of association of the new St Vincent ’ s holding company will show whether any attempt is being made to impose a Catholic ethos , he agrees .
These documents are likely to be lodged shortly with the Companies Office and the Charities Regulator .
While the arguments drag on , greater threats to the project are emerging .
No one has said what the current projected cost is but it is likely to be more than double the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completion date has been pushed back to 2024 .
The other two maternity hospitals in Dublin have arguable cases for relocating to new sites and could come up the pecking order should the issues at St Vincent ’ s prove insuperable .
The canon lawyer believes Dr Boylan should be celebrating a famous victory .
“ The truth of the matter is , they ’ re past the finish line now , Peter and his supporters .
The nuns have run up a white flag on this , and so has the Holy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accomplish was a situation where the new National Maternity Hospital would under no circumstances , even though it was to be located in St Vincent ’ s , have any connection whatsoever with the Catholic Church , or its teaching or canon law .
That ’ s the outcome now , plain and simple .
”

The National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street: It has been trying to find a new home for decades. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
The row over the transfer of the National Maternity Hospital to a site owned by a religious order was the biggest story in Irish health this century, until Covid-19 arrived.
Three years ago, the controversy convulsed the political system and sparked spontaneous protests outside the Department of Health after a former NMH master, Dr Peter Boylan, said the new hospital would be controlled by the Catholic Church.
Boylan also argued the new hospital would lack independence and expressed fears that the practice of appointing an obstetrician as “master” of the maternity hospital (instead of a chief executive) was under threat.
The NMH has been trying to find a new home away from the well-worn corridors of Holles Street in Dublin city centre for decades. A previous plan to relocate to the perimeter of the St Vincent’s campus came to nothing when the State-owned premises was assigned to the IDA instead.
READ MORE
Finally, in 2012, the project got the go-ahead, but on a confined site in the middle of the St Vincent’s campus. The NMH wanted to guard its independence, but how to do so in the middle of another hospital six times its size? And what about the fit between a Catholic adult hospital and a maternity hospital offering women’s reproductive services?
Governance and clinical independence issues were fought out in a turf war between St Vincent's and the NMH in 2016. Industrial relations troubleshooter Kieran Mulvey brokered an agreement between the two hospitals, which provided for each to nominate four directors to the company running the new hospital. There would also be a ninth independent director, who would be an international expert in obstetrics; various safety locks were laid down to protect the interests of the parties, including a "golden share" for the minister for health.
The Mulvey deal seemed to resolve the issue, and design of the new hospital began.
The issue lay dormant until the following year, when Boylan raised the spectre of church control. The holding company for the new hospital would be a subsidiary of St Vincent’s, which in turn was owned by the Religious Sisters of Charity. Ownership of the hospital once it moved was being “gifted” to the nuns, it was argued.
Abortion law
Seen through the prism of church versus State, this “revelation” provoked huge debate in a society with a pent-up hunger for change and where the legalisation of abortion was coming on to the agenda. Government assurances about the safeguarding of independence cut little ice.
In May 2017, the Sisters of Charity announced they were pulling out of involvement with St Vincent’s. The nuns, with an average age of 81, had for some time been mulling an end to an association with healthcare stretching back almost two centuries.
Dr Peter Boylan, former master of the National Maternity Hospital: “You have to parse everything [the nuns] say.” Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Again, it seemed the controversy had been put to bed. Then it became clear the congregation required Vatican permission for the transfer, which is something Boylan predicted would never happen.
The Sisters of Charity applied for permission to “alienate” (transfer) their interests in St Vincent’s. Vatican sources say there was internal opposition to the move but Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin played a central role in support of the order.
Earlier this month, that letter of grant came through. In granting the order’s petition, the notice of assent stated “the provisions relating to the validity and lawfulness of alienations, found in Canons 638-639 and Canons 1292-1294 of the Code of Canon Law and in Proper Law, are to be observed”.
In a statement, the Sisters of Charity seized on the same verb that was used against them in 2016 by saying they intended to “gift” their lands at St Vincent’s “to the people of Ireland” for the new project.
The various interests of St Vincent's – including a public and private hospital on campus and a hospital in Dún Laoghaire – would now be owned by a new "independent, charitable body" to be called St Vincent's Holdings CLG.
A CLG is a type of structure – a company limited by guarantee – commonly used by sports clubs, charities and other non-profit organisations.
Though the question of Vatican assent had been answered, Boylan’s concerns have not been assuaged.
Mission statement
He questioned whether the order was attempting to put in place a vehicle known as a “public juridic person” (PJP), which has been used in other contexts where Catholic congregations facing terminal decline in their numbers have sought to ensure a lasting influence.
In 2016, for example, the Sisters of Mercy transferred control of the Mater hospital to a PJP. Its mission statement refers to participating in the “healing ministry of Jesus Christ”.
Chief operations officer Kay Connolly, Minister for Health Simon Harris and former master of the National Maternity Hospital Dr Rhona Mahony with a model of the new NMH at St Vincent’s University Hospital. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
However, St Vincent’s told The Irish Times last week “St Vincent’s Holdings CLG is not a PJP”.
A spokeswoman added: “We have always been clear that all medical procedures permitted under Irish law are provided in our hospitals and will be provided in the new NMH.
“Once the entity is set up and the nuns have handed over the property, the holding will be an entirely independent secular civic body controlled solely by Irish law.”
Could there be some other way by which a Catholic influence could be imposed on the maternity hospital even after the Sisters of Charity have exited the scene legally? Both Boylan and Labour Senator Ivana Bacik have queried whether there is a wider significance to the reference to specific sections of canon law in the Vatican letter of grant.
A canon lawyer who has written an assessment of the letter of grant describes these paragraphs as “boiler-plate”.
“They’re a checklist of practices and procedures, permissions and precautions to be observed where church property is being alienated,” says the lawyer, who does not wish to be named in order to avoid involvement in a “public spat”.
“They don’t limit or inhibit the Sisters from proceeding with the planned sale to St Vincent’s Holdings, quite the opposite,” they added.
“And there is nothing that could be construed as importing into the onward proposed alienation, either overtly or covertly, a stipulation that church canon law, doctrine or teaching much be observed by SVH or the proposed NMH.”
Still sceptical
Boylan says he remains sceptical. Is he prepared to give the benefit of any doubt to the nuns, who have after all announced their exit and then successfully sought permission to do so from the Vatican?
"You have to parse everything they say," he says. "They keep saying things that transpire to be not actually entirely true. In their latest statement, for instance, they said they were gifting the site to the people of Ireland. Then it transpires it is being transferred to a private charity."
In response, the Sisters of Charity said this was a reference to what would happen if the holding company went into liquidation. “Its surplus assets would be vested with the Charities Regulator and used for future healthcare purposes with similar values, to benefit the people of Ireland.”
Eloquent and temperate, Boylan commands respect across different areas, even as he engages in areas such as canon law that are outside his normal expertise.
“I’d trust Peter greatly on these issues and I’d agree with his call to make all the correspondence available,” says a senior medic and former colleague. “I’d also ask about the extent of the private facilities being put into the new NMH.”
"I think the nuns are in a bind on this," says Michael Somers, a former board member of St Vincent's. "It would seem the Vatican wants them to be compliant with canon law, and to uphold the teaching of the Catholic Church, in how they transfer the land."
But the canon lawyer sees no evidence of a Machiavellian conspiracy in the Vatican permission. “There is no tentacle, there’s no string, there’s no puppeteer here.
“There will not exist any conduit, any vehicle, any structure or provision under which they can be tied to the doctrine teaching or law of the Catholic Church. There won’t be; it won’t exist.”
Parents for Choice march against religious ownership of the National Maternity Hospital in May 2017. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
And while he has soldiered against the proposed move, the current master of the NMH, Prof Shane Higgins, and three former masters have publicly welcomed the nuns' announcement and restated their belief that the new hospital will enjoy full independence in the provision of services.
One of the signatories of their letter is former NMH master Dr Rhona Mahony, who like Boylan campaigned for a Yes vote in the abortion referendum in 2018 (she is also his sister-in-law).
Can they all be wrong and he right?
Possible consequences
“They’re satisfied because they’re keen to have the hospital,”Boylan responds. “I don’t think they’ve thought through the consequences.
“There is no problem in cardiology or orthopaedics when these are run by the religious. They’ve made a fantastic contribution to healthcare, but it’s very different when it comes to women’s reproductive healthcare.”
The memorandums and articles of association of the new St Vincent’s holding company will show whether any attempt is being made to impose a Catholic ethos, he agrees. These documents are likely to be lodged shortly with the Companies Office and the Charities Regulator.
While the arguments drag on, greater threats to the project are emerging. No one has said what the current projected cost is but it is likely to be more than double the last estimate of €300 million. The completion date has been pushed back to 2024. The other two maternity hospitals in Dublin have arguable cases for relocating to new sites and could come up the pecking order should the issues at St Vincent’s prove insuperable.
The canon lawyer believes Dr Boylan should be celebrating a famous victory. “The truth of the matter is, they’re past the finish line now, Peter and his supporters. The nuns have run up a white flag on this, and so has the Holy See.
“What he set out to accomplish was a situation where the new National Maternity Hospital would under no circumstances, even though it was to be located in St Vincent’s, have any connection whatsoever with the Catholic Church, or its teaching or canon law. That’s the outcome now, plain and simple.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--National Maternity Hospital ethos debate a ‘distraction’

The head of the National Maternity Hospital ( NMH ) has warned its planned move to St Vincent ’ s hospital could be derailed by the “ distraction ” of continuing debate over ethos and clinical independence issues .
Prof Shane Higgins said it was “ frustrating that the argument keeps changing all the time ” despite assurances by the NMH , and St Vincent ’ s , that the new hospital would be independently governed , with its own board and master .
Fears are growing within the NMH that the Government could withdraw its support from the project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intense controversy since 2017 , when it emerged the site of the new building – though not the hospital itself – would be owned by the 100 per cent shareholders of St Vincent ’ s , the Religious Sisters of Charity .
The order has since withdrawn from involvement in St Vincent ’ s and has successfully applied to the Vatican to transfer its ownership of its lands , including the site for the new NMH , to a new holding company .
However , critics claim the permission is subject to conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic ethos .
The project “ absolutely must ” appear on the programme for government of the new administration , Prof Higgins said , adding that it would take 18 months to get contractors on site from a decision to go ahead .
St Vincent ’ s said no conditions relating to ethos or clinical practice have been imposed by the order in transferring their ownership of St Vincent ’ s hospital to the holding company .
The hospital says it is “ in the final stages ” of completing the legal agreements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shares .
The memorandum and articles of association of the holding company will be completed “ within weeks ” , a source familiar with the process claimed .
Last month , the Religious Sisters of Charity announced they had received Vatican approval to transfer their 100 per cent shareholding in the St Vincent ’ s Healthcare Group to the new , not-for-profit holding company , St Vincent ’ s Holdings CLG ( company limited by guarantee ) .
The transfer of an estimated €220 million of assets removes one of the final obstacles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vincent ’ s campus .
In 2017 , the proposed move was the focus of huge controversy when it emerged the nuns owned the site on which the maternity hospital would be built .
The order subsequently said it was withdrawing from ownership at St Vincent ’ s but first had to get permission from the Vatican , which was granted last month .
Dr Peter Boylan , a former NMH master , says the Vatican ’ s permission was granted on the basis that specific parts of canon law were “ observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – with confident certainty – that St Vincent ’ s Holdings CLG is some kind of juridic person ( public , private or ministerial ) that will maintain Catholic ethos into the future .
I am sure of it , ” he told The Irish Times .
Denying the involvement of any type of “ juridic person ” , the Sisters of Charity stressed the assets were being given to a “ non-religious company established under Irish law ” .
Minister for Health Simon Harris welcomed the letter issued to the nuns but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legally and robustly scrutinised ” .
“ The matter will have to go through due diligence and proper scrutiny and return to government before it is decided to proceed.
” Preliminary construction on the project – of a car park and pharmacy – resumed on May 18th with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions .
The Sisters of Charity directed questions about the new entity to St Vincent ’ s but said they hoped the transfer of their shareholding could “ now be concluded without undue delay ” .

Fears are growing within the NMH that the Government could withdraw its support from its move to St Vincent’s. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
The head of the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) has warned its planned move to St Vincent's hospital could be derailed by the "distraction" of continuing debate over ethos and clinical independence issues.
Prof Shane Higgins said it was "frustrating that the argument keeps changing all the time" despite assurances by the NMH, and St Vincent's, that the new hospital would be independently governed, with its own board and master.
Fears are growing within the NMH that the Government could withdraw its support from the project, which has been the focus of intense controversy since 2017, when it emerged the site of the new building – though not the hospital itself – would be owned by the 100 per cent shareholders of St Vincent’s, the Religious Sisters of Charity.
The order has since withdrawn from involvement in St Vincent’s and has successfully applied to the Vatican to transfer its ownership of its lands, including the site for the new NMH, to a new holding company. However, critics claim the permission is subject to conditions that could see the continuation of a Catholic ethos.
READ MORE
The project “absolutely must” appear on the programme for government of the new administration, Prof Higgins said, adding that it would take 18 months to get contractors on site from a decision to go ahead.
St Vincent’s said no conditions relating to ethos or clinical practice have been imposed by the order in transferring their ownership of St Vincent’s hospital to the holding company.
The hospital says it is “in the final stages” of completing the legal agreements to enable the order to transfer its shares.
The memorandum and articles of association of the holding company will be completed “within weeks”, a source familiar with the process claimed.
Last month, the Religious Sisters of Charity announced they had received Vatican approval to transfer their 100 per cent shareholding in the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group to the new, not-for-profit holding company, St Vincent’s Holdings CLG (company limited by guarantee). The transfer of an estimated €220 million of assets removes one of the final obstacles to moving the NMH to the St Vincent’s campus.
In 2017, the proposed move was the focus of huge controversy when it emerged the nuns owned the site on which the maternity hospital would be built. The order subsequently said it was withdrawing from ownership at St Vincent’s but first had to get permission from the Vatican, which was granted last month.
Canon law
Dr Peter Boylan, a former NMH master, says the Vatican's permission was granted on the basis that specific parts of canon law were "observed".
“I can only conclude – with confident certainty – that St Vincent’s Holdings CLG is some kind of juridic person (public, private or ministerial) that will maintain Catholic ethos into the future. I am sure of it,” he told The Irish Times.
Denying the involvement of any type of “juridic person”, the Sisters of Charity stressed the assets were being given to a “non-religious company established under Irish law”.
Minister for Health Simon Harris welcomed the letter issued to the nuns but said it would have to be "legally and robustly scrutinised".
“The matter will have to go through due diligence and proper scrutiny and return to government before it is decided to proceed.”
Preliminary construction on the project – of a car park and pharmacy – resumed on May 18th with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
The Sisters of Charity directed questions about the new entity to St Vincent’s but said they hoped the transfer of their shareholding could “now be concluded without undue delay”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Covid-19 may be behind fall in rate of sexually transmitted infections

The transmission rate of sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ) has fallen dramatically in an era when Covid-19 restrictions have cut the opportunity for intimate contact .
Latest available data from health authorities for the year to May 23rd shows significant reductions in reported new cases of chlamydia , gonorrhoea , genital herpes and syphilis among other common infections .
However , the data comes with a health warning : the downward trend may have as much to do the closure of clinics and delays in reporting results as it has to do with social distancing .
The closure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in dating app meet-ups , and a fall-off in tourist numbers are also suspected to be contributing factors .
Statistics from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) found that compared with the same period last year , chlamydia infections have reduced by 21 per cent , gonorrhoea by 18 per cent , genital herpes by 31 per cent and syphilis by 25 per cent .
HIV rates are an outlier , rising by 17 per cent , with 224 reported cases .
Of a total of nine listed diseases recorded under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reporting ) on a weekly basis , 4,705 new cases have been reported so far this year compared to 5,956 for the same period in 2019 , a decline of 21 per cent , or one fifth .
Dr Derek Freedman , a specialist in STI treatment for 50 years , is hopeful the current pandemic might have a positive long-term effect on sexual behaviour .
“ I think one of the overall side-effects of Covid-19 is that people are going to be much more careful about their personal risk-taking , particularly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ We are all going to be much more health-conscious.
” He said that during the phase of social lock down there remains a “ hard core ” of people who will take risks ; he has continued to be contacted by people looking for Prep , a preventative drug taken to reduce the chance of contracting HIV .
However , at his testing , consultation and counselling service , Dr Freedman says he has seen appointments halve during the pandemic and has heard anecdotally that activity on social networks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people seek out partners , has decreased .
One user of the Grindr service , which is aimed at members of the gay community , told The Irish Times that civic-minded people in his social circle had all stopped using it to meet partners .
“ Of course , we would have a collective memory in our time of a virus that no one took seriously , ” he said of the HIV/Aids crisis that tore through the gay community in the 1980s .
“ So we would be more responsibly minded about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service Executive ( HSE ) said there was a need for some caution around the reasons behind the latest data .
As well as decreased exposure to infections because of physical distancing , it might also be explained by less attendance at STI clinics and GPs , and by delays in the reporting of new cases where health staff have been reallocated to Covid-19 activities .
“ It is most likely that it may be a combination of the above , but we can not confirm at this point , ” it said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data is provisional at this time , we will continue to monitor the situation to determine whether it reflects a true indication of declines in STIs or delayed diagnosis.
” In comprehensive advice on its website , HIV Ireland said many of the clinical staff who operate sexual health services have been responding to the Covid-19 crisis , resulting in major scaling-back of services .
“ The ‘ surge ’ of Covid-19 diagnoses .
.
.
will mean that the services which have been able to continue offering testing and treatment are likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ That adds extra risk if you continue to have sex during the Covid-19 emergency.
” Dr Freedman said that in Milan , based on conversations with a colleague , while there was a decrease in chronic conditions such as genital warts , acute conditions such as gonorrhoea and syphilis had remained steady .
He also noted official health guidance in Amsterdam that people seek out a regular and local “ seksbuddy ” or “ sex buddy ” for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic .
The advice from the Dutch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Environment ( RIVM ) appears to be aimed more at safely accommodating some kind of sexual intimacy among single people during strict lockdown conditions .
It suggests meeting “ with the same person to have physical or sexual contact ( for example , a cuddle buddy or ‘ sex buddy ’ ) , provided you are free of illness .
Make good arrangements with this person about how many other people you both see .
The more people you see , the greater the chance of [ spreading ] the coronavirus .
”

A computer illustration of a cell infected with chlamydia. There have been significant reductions in reported new cases of chlamydia
The transmission rate of sexually transmitted infections has fallen dramatically in an era when Covid-19 restrictions have cut the opportunity for intimate contact.
Latest available data from health authorities for the year to May 23rd shows significant reductions in reported new cases of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes and syphilis among other common infections.
However, the data comes with a health warning: the downward trend may have as much to do the closure of clinics and delays in reporting results as it has to do with social distancing.
The closure of pubs and nightclubs, an anecdotal reduction in dating app meet-ups, and a fall-off in tourist numbers are also suspected to be contributing factors.
READ MORE
Statistics from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) found that compared with the same period last year, chlamydia infections have reduced by 21 per cent, gonorrhoea by 18 per cent, genital herpes by 31 per cent and syphilis by 25 per cent.
HIV rates are an outlier, rising by 17 per cent, with 224 reported cases.
Of a total of nine listed diseases recorded under the CIDR system (Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting) on a weekly basis, 4,705 new cases have been reported so far this year compared to 5,956 for the same period in 2019, a decline of 21 per cent, or one fifth.
Dr Derek Freedman, a specialist in STI treatment for 50 years, is hopeful the current pandemic might have a positive long-term effect on sexual behaviour.
“I think one of the overall side-effects of Covid-19 is that people are going to be much more careful about their personal risk-taking, particularly in the context of virus contraction,” he said. “We are all going to be much more health-conscious.”
Take risks
He said that during the phase of social lock down there remains a “hard core” of people who will take risks; he has continued to be contacted by people looking for Prep, a preventative drug taken to reduce the chance of contracting HIV.
However, at his testing, consultation and counselling service, Dr Freedman says he has seen appointments halve during the pandemic and has heard anecdotally that activity on social networks such as Grindr and Tinder, where people seek out partners, has decreased.
One user of the Grindr service, which is aimed at members of the gay community, told The Irish Times that civic-minded people in his social circle had all stopped using it to meet partners.
“Of course, we would have a collective memory in our time of a virus that no one took seriously,” he said of the HIV/Aids crisis that tore through the gay community in the 1980s. “So we would be more responsibly minded about pandemic situations.”
However, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said there was a need for some caution around the reasons behind the latest data.
As well as decreased exposure to infections because of physical distancing, it might also be explained by less attendance at STI clinics and at GPs, and by delays in the reporting of new cases where health staff have been reallocated to Covid-19 activities.
“It is most likely that it may be a combination of the above, but we cannot confirm at this point,” it said in a statement. “As the data is provisional at this time, we will continue to monitor the situation to determine whether it reflects a true indication of declines in STIs or delayed diagnosis.”
Clinical staff
In comprehensive advice on its website, HIV Ireland said many of the clinical staff who operate sexual health services have been responding to the Covid-19 crisis, resulting in major scaling-back of services.
“The ‘surge’ of Covid-19 diagnoses . . . will mean that the services which have been able to continue offering testing and treatment are likely to close completely too,” it said. “That adds extra risk if you continue to have sex during the Covid-19 emergency.”
Dr Freedman said that in Milan, based on conversations with a colleague, while there was a decrease in chronic conditions such as genital warts, acute conditions such as gonorrhoea and syphilis had remained steady.
He also noted official health guidance in Amsterdam that people seek out a regular and local “seksbuddy” or “sex buddy” for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The advice from the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) appears to be aimed more at safely accommodating some kind of sexual intimacy among single people during strict lockdown conditions.
It suggests meeting “with the same person to have physical or sexual contact (for example, a cuddle buddy or ‘sex buddy’), provided you are free of illness. Make good arrangements with this person about how many other people you both see. The more people you see, the greater the chance of [spreading] the coronavirus.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Coronavirus: Increase in legal queries from 'stressed' workers

Queries about employment rights to free legal advice centres have almost doubled since the start of the pandemic .
Figures from the Free Legal Advice Centres ( Flacs ) and Community Law and Mediation ( CLM ) indicate a surge in the number of people concerned their employers have treated them illegally during the lockdown .
The CLM , which runs two community law centres , in Dublin and Limerick , has seen a 196 per cent increase in consultations since March on employment law – including breaches of contract , unequal treatment and difficulty accessing payments – compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall , CLM chief executive , said the organisation had increased its usual four clinics a week to 11 , by phone , in response to calls from workers .
Flac , which provides clinics across the State , said employment law queries accounted for 10 per cent of its calls in April 2019 but this doubled to 20 per cent last month .
In March it had 126 calls to its phone-in clinics about workers ’ rights , rising to 180 in April .
Among its cases were : a woman who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early ; people with underlying health conditions being told they must return to work despite their concerns for their own health ; people being told to take paid annual leave , when they needed it for future commitments ; and people being asked to resign as they could not work from home due to childcare problems .
Other cases involved people having their pay reduced while working from home or being told they must use their own phones and laptops while working from home , without recompense .
Other significant calls included women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or who were about to take such leave .
Other queries were from workers feeling their employers had not taken sufficient health and safety measures , including a man who was told he had to travel for several hours with colleagues in a van , with no personal protective equipment provided .
Ms Wall said while the impact of coronavirus on businesses was “ unprecedented ” , it could not be used as a time to be lax about employees ’ rights .
“ People are feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable to the added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With the number of people unemployed or supported under the temporary wage subsidy scheme now at about 1.1million , it is becoming increasingly difficult to challenge discrimination or mistreatment in the workplace.
” Eilis Barry , chief executive of Flac , said callers were “ extremely stressed ” .
Both organisations said the number of employment-related calls was likely to increase as more people returned , or hoped to return , to work .
This underlined “ the acute need for the availability and accessibility of legal advice , advocacy and legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Barry , reiterating her call for a reform of the civil legal aid system .
“ We must protect our workers and ensure that legal aid is accessible to all , ” she said .
Employment rights are not currently covered by the civil legal aid scheme .
CLM has written to political parties involved in government-formation talks calling for prioritisation of reform of the civil legal aid scheme , including that workers have access to legal aid and representation in the Workplace Relations Commission .

Some calls involved people having their pay reduced while working from home. Photograph: iStock
Queries about employment rights to free legal advice centres have almost doubled since the start of the pandemic.
Figures from the Free Legal Advice Centres (Flacs) and Community Law and Mediation (CLM) indicate a surge in the number of people concerned their employers have treated them illegally during the lockdown.
The CLM, which runs two community law centres, in Dublin and Limerick, has seen a 196 per cent increase in consultations since March on employment law – including breaches of contract, unequal treatment and difficulty accessing payments – compared with the same period last year.
Rose Wall, CLM chief executive, said the organisation had increased its usual four clinics a week to 11, by phone, in response to calls from workers.
READ MORE
Flac, which provides clinics across the State, said employment law queries accounted for 10 per cent of its calls in April 2019 but this doubled to 20 per cent last month.
In March it had 126 calls to its phone-in clinics about workers’ rights, rising to 180 in April.
Among its cases were: a woman who was asked to go on maternity leave early; people with underlying health conditions being told they must return to work despite their concerns for their own health; people being told to take paid annual leave, when they needed it for future commitments; and people being asked to resign as they could not work from home due to childcare problems.
Other cases involved people having their pay reduced while working from home or being told they must use their own phones and laptops while working from home, without recompense.
Other significant calls included women returning from work after maternity leave, or who were about to take such leave.
Other queries were from workers feeling their employers had not taken sufficient health and safety measures, including a man who was told he had to travel for several hours with colleagues in a van, with no personal protective equipment provided.
Feeling vulnerable
Ms Wall said while the impact of coronavirus on businesses was “unprecedented”, it could not be used as a time to be lax about employees’ rights.
“People are feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable to the added complexities that Covid-19 brings to the workforce. With the number of people unemployed or supported under the temporary wage subsidy scheme now at about 1.1million, it is becoming increasingly difficult to challenge discrimination or mistreatment in the workplace.”
Eilis Barry, chief executive of Flac, said callers were "extremely stressed". Both organisations said the number of employment-related calls was likely to increase as more people returned, or hoped to return, to work.
This underlined “the acute need for the availability and accessibility of legal advice, advocacy and legal aid during a crisis,” said Ms Barry, reiterating her call for a reform of the civil legal aid system.
“We must protect our workers and ensure that legal aid is accessible to all,” she said.
Employment rights are not currently covered by the civil legal aid scheme.
CLM has written to political parties involved in government-formation talks calling for prioritisation of reform of the civil legal aid scheme, including that workers have access to legal aid and representation in the Workplace Relations Commission.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Future Leaving Cert exams may be influenced by ‘calculated grades’

This year ’ s calculated grades process for Leaving Cert students could influence how future end-of-school exams are carried out , the president of a teachers ’ union has said .
Seamus Lahart , president of the Teachers ’ Union of Ireland , said the union is in principle opposed to the idea of teachers grading their own students for the purposes of State exams .
However , Mr Lahart said the calculated grades process – in which teachers and schools award grades to Leaving Cert students – was a necessity this year and aspects of it could inform future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did this before and , as a teachers ’ union , we ’ re not in favour of teachers grading their own students for State exams .
But is the process worth having a look at ?
Of course , ” Mr Lahart said .
“ It ’ s been a leap in the dark and has only happened because we have no other choice this year .
Would we like to see the outcome of this process ?
Absolutely .
And could it inform how we should examine students in a future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr Lahart said teachers and policymakers would be keen to examine whether the process is deemed to be a success .
“ It ’ s not to say that we want to run this type of assessment again , but it might inform us about the way we run the Leaving Cert and the type of values we want to assess in future , ” he said .
While the academic year at second level is finished , secondary teachers are still engaged in the process of awarding grades to students .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ students ’ grades and class rankings to the Department of Education over the coming weeks .
They will then go through a standardisation process , where grades may be adjusted up or down in line with national trends , before being released to students in August .
A total of almost 1,000 Leaving Cert students , however , have not registered in time for last Friday ’ s deadline to receive their calculated grades .
The department is to engage with schools over the coming weeks in an effort to establish why some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portal .
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has also said his officials would also engage with schools over the coming weeks in an effort to establish if there are reasons that some students could not register .
Meanwhile , Department of Education officials are due to meet school and parent representatives in the coming days to discuss plans to reopen schools in late August .
The outcome of the talks will feed into a detailed roadmap for how schools will be reopened , which is due to be completed next week .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include how pupils may be safely accommodated in classrooms and what kind of support will be required for cleaning and hygiene purposes .
One option under consideration is a plan to designate entire groups or classes as “ pods ” which do not mix with other school classes .
This would allow most pupils to resume school on a full-time basis , but it is questionable if it would comply with public health advice .
Officials are also examining a proposal to reopen some schools for children with special needs and those at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ summer programme ” of support .

Almost 1,000 Leaving Cert students did not register in time for last Friday’s deadline to receive calculated grades. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
This year’s calculated grades process for Leaving Cert students could influence how future end-of-school exams are carried out, the president of a teachers’ union has said.
Seamus Lahart, president of the Teachers' Union of Ireland, said the union is in principle opposed to the idea of teachers grading their own students for the purposes of State exams.
However, Mr Lahart said the calculated grades process – in which teachers and schools award grades to Leaving Cert students – was a necessity this year and aspects of it could inform future types of assessment.
“We never did this before and, as a teachers’ union, we’re not in favour of teachers grading their own students for State exams. But is the process worth having a look at? Of course,” Mr Lahart said.
READ MORE
“It’s been a leap in the dark and has only happened because we have no other choice this year. Would we like to see the outcome of this process? Absolutely. And could it inform how we should examine students in a future Leaving Cert? Of course it could.”
Mr Lahart said teachers and policymakers would be keen to examine whether the process is deemed to be a success.
“It’s not to say that we want to run this type of assessment again, but it might inform us about the way we run the Leaving Cert and the type of values we want to assess in future,” he said.
While the academic year at second level is finished, secondary teachers are still engaged in the process of awarding grades to students.
Schools are due to send information on students’ grades and class rankings to the Department of Education over the coming weeks.
Standardisation process
They will then go through a standardisation process, where grades may be adjusted up or down in line with national trends, before being released to students in August.
A total of almost 1,000 Leaving Cert students, however, have not registered in time for last Friday’s deadline to receive their calculated grades.
The department is to engage with schools over the coming weeks in an effort to establish why some students may not have registered on the portal.
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has also said his officials would also engage with schools over the coming weeks in an effort to establish if there are reasons that some students could not register.
Meanwhile, Department of Education officials are due to meet school and parent representatives in the coming days to discuss plans to reopen schools in late August.
The outcome of the talks will feed into a detailed roadmap for how schools will be reopened, which is due to be completed next week.
Among the key issues set to be discussed include how pupils may be safely accommodated in classrooms and what kind of support will be required for cleaning and hygiene purposes.
One option under consideration is a plan to designate entire groups or classes as “pods” which do not mix with other school classes.
This would allow most pupils to resume school on a full-time basis, but it is questionable if it would comply with public health advice.
Officials are also examining a proposal to reopen some schools for children with special needs and those at high risk of disadvantage as part of a “summer programme” of support.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Covid-19: Chinese communist party endangered world, says Newspaper

Copies of a controversial newspaper that urges people to refer to the new coronavirus as the “ CCP virus ” – after the Chinese Communist Party – were distributed for free to houses in Dublin at the weekend .
The special eight-page edition of the Epoch Times , with a front page that carries the headline “ How China ’ s communist regime endangered the world ” , has also been distributed in the US , Canada and Australia over recent weeks .
One article in the edition is headlined “ How China ’ s cover-up led to a global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Chinese communist subversion of WHO undermined global pandemic response ” .
While the newspaper does not allege that the virus was manufactured by the Chinese regime , it does raise that issue as a possibility .
By far the majority opinion of the world ’ s scientists is that the virus came from bats and , by way of an intermediary host , developed the capacity to infect humans .
This is believed to have happened in China , and possibly in or close to the city of Wuhan .
The newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus the CCP virus is to remind people that it is those countries with the closest links to the Beijing regime that are “ the ones suffering the worst effects from this virus ” , before going on to name-check Iran and Italy .
The Epoch Times is a well-funded media operation based in the US that has been associated with the spreading of conspiracy theories , support for US president Donald Trump , and the Falun Gong religious movement .
The NewsGuard Coronavirus Misinformation Tracking Center has identified Epoch Times web @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany as being involved in the spreading of misinformation about the virus .
The media group has been associated with support for nationalist movements in Europe , including the AfD in Germany , and the National Rally ( previously the National Front ) in France .
Last year Facebook banned the Epoch Times from advertising on its platform after it was found to have broken transparency rules on political advertising in relation to ads that were supportive of the US president .
In December the New York Times reported that Facebook had deleted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Epoch Times and that used fake profile photographs that had been generated using artificial intelligence .
Soon afterwards the organisation shifted its advertising spending to YouTube .
In a statement on its website , the Epoch Times says the paper is telling people the blame for the pandemic lies with the CCP , not the Chinese people .
“ Our special edition is actually telling readers that this pandemic is not the fault of the Chinese people , but rather the fault of the Communist Party .
The Chinese people have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this pandemic .
In differentiating the CCP from the Chinese people , we are truly standing up for the Chinese people , or Asian people generally , ” the statement says .
A member of the Chinese community in Dublin , who did not want to be named , said the Epoch Times was often handed out for free outside the Chinese embassy in Dublin .
The Chinese edition was also handed out in some city centre locations , the person said .

Copies of a controversial newspaper that urges people to refer to the new coronavirus as the “CCP virus” – after the Chinese Communist Party – were distributed for free to houses in Dublin at the weekend.
The special eight-page edition of the Epoch Times, with a front page that carries the headline “How China’s communist regime endangered the world”, has also been distributed in the US, Canada and Australia over recent weeks.
One article in the edition is headlined “How China’s cover-up led to a global pandemic”, while another is headlined “Chinese communist subversion of WHO undermined global pandemic response”.
While the newspaper does not allege that the virus was manufactured by the Chinese regime, it does raise that issue as a possibility.
READ MORE
By far the majority opinion of the world’s scientists is that the virus came from bats and, by way of an intermediary host, developed the capacity to infect humans. This is believed to have happened in China, and possibly in or close to the city of Wuhan.
The newspaper says that among the reasons for calling the virus the CCP virus is to remind people that it is those countries with the closest links to the Beijing regime that are “the ones suffering the worst effects from this virus”, before going on to name-check Iran and Italy.
The Epoch Times is a well-funded media operation based in the US that has been associated with the spreading of conspiracy theories, support for US president Donald Trump, and the Falun Gong religious movement.
The NewsGuard Coronavirus Misinformation Tracking Center has identified Epoch Times web pages in the US, France and Germany as being involved in the spreading of misinformation about the virus.
The media group has been associated with support for nationalist movements in Europe, including the AfD in Germany, and the National Rally (previously the National Front) in France.
Transparency rules
Last year Facebook banned the Epoch Times from advertising on its platform after it was found to have broken transparency rules on political advertising in relation to ads that were supportive of the US president.
In December the New York Times reported that Facebook had deleted hundreds of accounts that were linked to the Epoch Times and that used fake profile photographs that had been generated using artificial intelligence.
Soon afterwards the organisation shifted its advertising spending to YouTube.
In a statement on its website, the Epoch Times says the paper is telling people the blame for the pandemic lies with the CCP, not the Chinese people.
“Our special edition is actually telling readers that this pandemic is not the fault of the Chinese people, but rather the fault of the Communist Party. The Chinese people have been victimized by the CCP’s handling of this pandemic. In differentiating the CCP from the Chinese people, we are truly standing up for the Chinese people, or Asian people generally,” the statement says.
A member of the Chinese community in Dublin, who did not want to be named, said the Epoch Times was often handed out for free outside the Chinese embassy in Dublin.
The Chinese edition was also handed out in some city centre locations, the person said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Covid-19: Easing of restrictions ‘unlikely’ to be speeded-up

Many public hospitals are not “ fit for purpose ” in terms of providing safe distancing required to protect against the spread of Covid-19 , the Health Service Executive has warned .
Even a “ relatively modest spike ” in the spread of the disease would have a very significant impact on critical care beds and the wider hospital system , it will on Tuesday tell a Dáil committee .
Separately , public health officials are expected to say today that a large-scale acceleration of the easing of restrictions is unlikely given that new cases of the virus are occurring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of kites flown over the weekend , but I wouldn ’ t read a lot into them , ” said a senior source , referring to newspaper reports that the roadmap towards the lifting of restrictions could be brought forward substantially .
The impact of the easing of phase one measures last month will only become clear later this week , but there is concern that the number of new cases , while small , has increased three days in a row .
One further death linked to Covid-19 was reported by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) on Sunday evening .
An additional 77 confirmed cases in the State were reported .
NPHET will meet on Thursday to consider the impact of phase one and to decide whether to recommend the measures in phase two to go ahead .
The Cabinet will decide on Friday whether the roadmap proceeds to phase two as planned on June 8th .
The delivery of healthcare will proceed in a higher-risk environment where an outbreak or surge could occur “ at any time ” , until a vaccine or cure for Covid-19 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations Liam Woods will say on Tuesday .
Due to underlying capacity issues , now amplified by the need to manage in a post Covid-19 environment , “ the only immediate acute options that can provide an occupancy of 80 per cent is the private hospital system , ” Mr Woods will tell the Oireachtas special committee on Covid-19 .
The Government announced on Friday it would not be renewing the current deal with the country ’ s private hospitals after it runs out later this month , though it will seek to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event of a second wave of coronavirus .
Mr Woods will tell the committee the arrangement has delivered “ very substantive benefits ” , with 7,605 inpatients and 26,007 day cases seen .
The private hospitals have also dealt with 24,407 outpatients and provided 35,073 diagnostic tests .
Occupancy levels have grown over time , reaching 51 per cent in late May , he will say .
As the lockdown is eased , the provision of services in endoscopy , cardiology , urology and orthopaedics are areas of immediate priority , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endoscopies climbed almost 50 per cent between the end of February and the end of April , while the number of people waiting for orthopaedic procedures increased by 41 per cent .
According to Mr Woods , the four national screening programmes , which have been suspended under clinical advice since March , can restart only when “ certain safety conditions ” are met .
Tbe private hospitals agreement represents “ very poor value for money ” , is not working and should be ended “ without delay ” , the Irish Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , Department of Education officials are due to meet school and parent representatives in the coming days to discuss plans to reopen schools in late August .
The outcome of the talks will feed into a detailed roadmap for how schools will be reopened , which is due to be published next week .

People enjoy the good weather at Brittas Bay beach, Co Wicklow, on bank holiday Monday. Gardaí have turned away non-locals who tried to visit. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Many public hospitals are not "fit for purpose" in terms of providing safe distancing required to protect against the spread of Covid-19, the Health Service Executive has warned.
Even a “relatively modest spike” in the spread of the disease would have a very significant impact on critical care beds and the wider hospital system, it will on Tuesday tell a Dáil committee.
Separately, public health officials are expected to say today that a large-scale acceleration of the easing of restrictions is unlikely given that new cases of the virus are occurring daily.
“There were a lot of kites flown over the weekend, but I wouldn’t read a lot into them,” said a senior source, referring to newspaper reports that the roadmap towards the lifting of restrictions could be brought forward substantially.
READ MORE
The impact of the easing of phase one measures last month will only become clear later this week, but there is concern that the number of new cases, while small, has increased three days in a row.
One further death linked to Covid-19 was reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Sunday evening. An additional 77 confirmed cases in the State were reported.
NPHET will meet on Thursday to consider the impact of phase one and to decide whether to recommend the measures in phase two to go ahead. The Cabinet will decide on Friday whether the roadmap proceeds to phase two as planned on June 8th.
Surge
The delivery of healthcare will proceed in a higher-risk environment where an outbreak or surge could occur "at any time", until a vaccine or cure for Covid-19 is developed, HSE national director of acute operations Liam Woods will say on Tuesday.
Due to underlying capacity issues, now amplified by the need to manage in a post Covid-19 environment, "the only immediate acute options that can provide an occupancy of 80 per cent is the private hospital system," Mr Woods will tell the Oireachtas special committee on Covid-19.
The Government announced on Friday it would not be renewing the current deal with the country’s private hospitals after it runs out later this month, though it will seek to negotiate the use of private capacity in the event of a second wave of coronavirus.
Mr Woods will tell the committee the arrangement has delivered “very substantive benefits”, with 7,605 inpatients and 26,007 day cases seen. The private hospitals have also dealt with 24,407 outpatients and provided 35,073 diagnostic tests.
Occupancy levels have grown over time, reaching 51 per cent in late May, he will say.
As the lockdown is eased, the provision of services in endoscopy, cardiology, urology and orthopaedics are areas of immediate priority, he will say.
The waiting list for endoscopies climbed almost 50 per cent between the end of February and the end of April, while the number of people waiting for orthopaedic procedures increased by 41 per cent.
According to Mr Woods, the four national screening programmes, which have been suspended under clinical advice since March, can restart only when “certain safety conditions” are met.
Tbe private hospitals agreement represents “very poor value for money”, is not working and should be ended “without delay”, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association will tell the committee.
Meanwhile, Department of Education officials are due to meet school and parent representatives in the coming days to discuss plans to reopen schools in late August.
The outcome of the talks will feed into a detailed roadmap for how schools will be reopened, which is due to be published next week.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--Time to be ambitious. We need a Department of Higher Education and Research

Every now and then , an opportunity arises for a country to fundamentally reset expectations .
One example was former minister for education Donogh O ’ Malley ’ s decision to open up secondary education to all Irish people .
A second example was Sean Lemass ’ s decision to ditch protectionism in favour of an open economy .
With talent now the lifeblood of societies everywhere , the debate begun by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to create a Department of Higher Education and Research has the potential to be another such moment .
There have been two really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system .
The first came in the ten years after 1969 with the creation of the Higher Education Authority , the Regional Technical Colleges , the NIHEs ( later University of Limerick and Dublin City University ) , as well as the removal of anachronisms such as the Catholic Church ’ s “ ban ” on Catholics studying in Trinity .
The second came with the creation of a research system : The Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions , the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland were all created within a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 2000 .
Almost everything else that happened in Irish higher education since the foundation of the State was steady incremental investments and some rebranding .
Two big moves in a century is hardly enough .
It ’ s time to be ambitious again .
We need to follow the lead of other countries and create globally-competitive universities that perform the ground-breaking research that drives innovation economies .
To do this , the State needs to invest in our students with a coherent strategy to create the talent for the next phase of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a focus on higher education and research is the best means to achieve this .
Countries which invest in research tend to power ahead .
There is a reason that places such as New Zealand and South Korea have coped so well with the corona virus .
Here in Ireland , higher education is rarely top of the agenda within the Department of Education or society despite the best efforts of many officials .
It was a handy target for cuts when the economic crisis washed over us a decade ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fallen from almost euro9,000 per student a decade ago to just over euro5,000 today .
It amounts to a public neglect of Ireland ’ s greatest asset .
Mary Mitchell O ’ Connor battled hard for the sector when she became the country ’ s first Minister for Higher Education .
With limited staff and resources she pushed through a number of reforms including the creation of 45 professorships to improve gender balance and launched an action plan for safer campuses .
She gave a tantalising glimpse of what could happen if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operating in many other countries such as Denmark and Finland .
The European Commission recently created a Directorate-General linking education and research .
A new department with a focus on higher education and research would be able to build bridges to other advanced societies which are prioritising education and research .
It would also understand the delicate balance that needs to be struck between supporting research and the autonomy from interference that great researchers need to thrive .
Despite its reduced funding , the State is continuously looking for greater control over universities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merely to serve the skills needs of the economy .
Universities ’ autonomy allows them to best serve society by the independent pursuit of knowledge .
They are acknowledged as using their autonomy well in the COVID 19 pandemic in researching , advising and explaining the course of the virus .
The academics who are at the forefront of this battle have solid grounding in research practices that extend beyond meeting immediate industry needs .
Third-level institutions have responsibilities to their students and staff , to society , to the environment as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s why higher education and research go together .
A new Department of Higher Education and Research with a combined annual budget of around euro3bn could become a major driver in Ireland ’ s efforts to become one of the world ’ s leading knowledge economies .
It would send a strong signal to the world that we are serious about preparing for the future .
It would help Irish researchers to meet some of the immense challenges from climate change to technological disruption and medical emergencies .
Crucially , it would help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
That , more than anything , is why it ’ s good idea .
Patrick Prendergast is an engineer and Provost of Trinity College Dublin .
In 2020 he is chair of the Irish Universities Association .

Every now and then, an opportunity arises for a country to fundamentally reset expectations. One example was former minister for education Donogh O'Malley's decision to open up secondary education to all Irish people. A second example was Sean Lemass's decision to ditch protectionism in favour of an open economy. With talent now the lifeblood of societies everywhere, the debate begun by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to create a Department of Higher Education and Research has the potential to be another such moment.
There have been two really significant moves to advance our higher education system. The first came in the ten years after 1969 with the creation of the Higher Education Authority, the Regional Technical Colleges, the NIHEs (later University of Limerick and Dublin City University), as well as the removal of anachronisms such as the Catholic Church's "ban" on Catholics studying in Trinity.
The second came with the creation of a research system: The Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions, the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland were all created within a year or two either side of the year 2000. Almost everything else that happened in Irish higher education since the foundation of the State was steady incremental investments and some rebranding.
Two big moves in a century is hardly enough. It’s time to be ambitious again.
READ MORE
We need to follow the lead of other countries and create globally-competitive universities that perform the ground-breaking research that drives innovation economies. To do this, the State needs to invest in our students with a coherent strategy to create the talent for the next phase of Ireland's development. A department with a focus on higher education and research is the best means to achieve this. Countries which invest in research tend to power ahead. There is a reason that places such as New Zealand and South Korea have coped so well with the corona virus.
Here in Ireland, higher education is rarely top of the agenda within the Department of Education or society despite the best efforts of many officials. It was a handy target for cuts when the economic crisis washed over us a decade ago. Since then public funding per student has fallen from almost euro9,000 per student a decade ago to just over euro5,000 today. It amounts to a public neglect of Ireland's greatest asset.
Mary Mitchell O'Connor battled hard for the sector when she became the country's first Minister for Higher Education. With limited staff and resources she pushed through a number of reforms including the creation of 45 professorships to improve gender balance and launched an action plan for safer campuses. She gave a tantalising glimpse of what could happen if we had a full-blown ministry similar to those operating in many other countries such as Denmark and Finland. The European Commission recently created a Directorate-General linking education and research.
A new department with a focus on higher education and research would be able to build bridges to other advanced societies which are prioritising education and research. It would also understand the delicate balance that needs to be struck between supporting research and the autonomy from interference that great researchers need to thrive.
Despite its reduced funding, the State is continuously looking for greater control over universities. But universities don’t exist merely to serve the skills needs of the economy. Universities’ autonomy allows them to best serve society by the independent pursuit of knowledge. They are acknowledged as using their autonomy well in the COVID 19 pandemic in researching, advising and explaining the course of the virus. The academics who are at the forefront of this battle have solid grounding in research practices that extend beyond meeting immediate industry needs. Third-level institutions have responsibilities to their students and staff, to society, to the environment as well as to the economy: that’s why higher education and research go together.
A new Department of Higher Education and Research with a combined annual budget of around euro3bn could become a major driver in Ireland’s efforts to become one of the world’s leading knowledge economies. It would send a strong signal to the world that we are serious about preparing for the future. It would help Irish researchers to meet some of the immense challenges from climate change to technological disruption and medical emergencies. Crucially, it would help build a better future for our young people. That, more than anything, is why it’s good idea.
Patrick Prendergast is an engineer and Provost of Trinity College Dublin. In 2020 he is chair of the Irish Universities Association.


theirishtimes--2020-06-01--The best learning apps for stir-crazy kids

Time , once spent searching through the school bag for the maths book or missing school tour note only to find last week ’ s milk and a squashed banana , has been temporarily replaced with wading through the app stores to find a suitable educational app .
But it can be difficult for home-schoolers to cut through the virtual banana skins and find the apps with the right educational weight .
Here are some of the best learning apps out there .
They are designed with children in mind and are structured in a way that allows them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of them are free .
It ’ s all in the name for this reading app .
Epic caters for all interests and accommodates all reading abilities .
The extensive digital library allows children access books that interest them – from fact or fiction , sports , to science or adventure .
Books can be read in several ways , all of which enable the reader to do so independently if they wish .
There is a “ read to me ” function that highlights the words as they are read or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children to listen only .
They can also read independent of any audio function .
Teachers can differentiate before remotely assigning readers to their class .
There are quizzes and learning videos .
Progress can be monitored via reading logs .
The app is free to download , and unlimited access is free until June 30th .
The app is free to schools but after June 30th , home subscriptions cost €7.30 per month .
Suitable for : Pre-school to all levels in primary school .
This app offers structured reading activities with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , phonemic awareness in the early years section .
Each lesson begins with an interactive video , followed with interactive activities that aim to reinforce the literacy skill and it finishes with a book and reading activity .
The animations and songs will appeal to younger students .
The senior end of the school is also catered for in the Reading Eggspress level , which has some great competitive activities in the Stadium tab .
They can choose from grammar , word usage , spelling or vocabulary activities .
The app also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 lessons for children aged 3-9 .
You can skip to a lesson level that suits from the parent tab .
Each lesson starts with an animation and is followed by a step by step , interactive instruction to complete the task .
There is also a Mental Minute tab which is a great quick fire warm up to get ready for the lesson ahead .
Suitable for : Pre-school to all levels in primary school .
For those who are looking to reduce the screen time but increase engagement , Sarah Webb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Children can tune into at 1pm Monday-Friday or access the recorded videos on the website and listen into the daily creative challenges and writing games .
They can create characters , word spiders or write stories based on photos and props and much more .
Suitable for : Nine-plus ( but younger , with help ) This website/app hosts a series of subject-based interactive activities for all class levels .
The activities are more of a consolidating nature than instructional , but kids enjoy them .
The Hit the Button activity in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and children can choose to challenge themselves based on the tables or number calculation they are working on .
This game-based app is a real winner .
Often used in classrooms as a fun assessment tool , many students will already be familiar with how to use it .
The classroom Kahoot encouraged speed and maximised fun and engagement – but the remote aspect has shifted the focus to accuracy , with students playing at home at their own pace while still maintaining the fun and engagement .
Teachers can set multiple choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app converts it to an interactive quiz .
Students can also create their own quizzes .
Teachers have uploaded a bank of quizzes that can be accessed by any user – so you don ’ t have to be assigned a quiz to use the app .
It sounds very simple – but it is the simplicity of the app that keeps it engaging .
Once you ’ ve played one Kahoot you ’ ll play a hundred .
There is an option to switch off the music to avoid the earworm background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school children will be familiar with GoNoodle , and like the teachers , parents are all too aware of the need for movement breaks .
GoNoodle is an app that guides you through those breaks .
The activities are designed to get the heart rate up and have a bit of fun .
They last about five minutes and the children are generally the best judge of the activity that suits them .
Be warned : they may want you to join in too .
If you need to bring the energy down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flow section that can bring some calm to the table .
The days of collecting the tactile encyclopaedia from A-Z have all but departed – but World Book Online offers up a virtual encyclopaedia .
Click the discover tab to gather information from your chosen area , from science and maths to world religions .
The early learning tab has a selection of interactive games , stories and art activities .
The timeline section covers a tapestry of topics as rich as history itself and there is also an ebook section .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iceberg of tabs t available to help support any project-based learning .
This is a social skills app and was developed by Shine Centre for Autism in Cork .
It is an online version of the classroom-based programme Personal and Life Skills ( Pals ) .
The programme aims to help autistic children and teenagers “ learn and understand about the often-confusing social world that surrounds them ” .
There are two apps .
The first one , Mission Rescue Kloog , addresses social interactions and nuances in communication .
The second app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deals with the area of friendship , bullying and online safety .
This website provides Irish language activities for children .
Users can choose the cainúint they wish – Munster , Ulster , Connaught – and then choose their class level .
There are spelling , grammar and reading activities to choose from .
Another Irish language website with super , child friendly games and activities .
You can choose levels and games that suit .
The activities are divided into three bands and each band progresses through levelled activities , from putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities and word recognition .
The activities are short , engaging and fun .
While many of us may have threatened to learn a new language in lockdown , chances are only a few or us have followed through .
This app is , however , useful for English as an additional language ( EAL ) students or who have had their language acquisition interrupted .
It won ’ t replace the social side of language practice that happens informally at school , but the lessons are short and a fun way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for : Anyone interested in learning a new language .

Time, once spent searching through the school bag for the maths book or missing school tour note only to find last week’s milk and a squashed banana, has been temporarily replaced with wading through the app stores to find a suitable educational app.
But it can be difficult for home-schoolers to cut through the virtual banana skins and find the apps with the right educational weight.
Here are some of the best learning apps out there. They are designed with children in mind and are structured in a way that allows them to navigate activities independently. Even better, most of them are free.
[ Epic! ]
(Apple/Android/Chromebook. Free until June 30th)
READ MORE
It’s all in the name for this reading app. Epic caters for all interests and accommodates all reading abilities. The extensive digital library allows children access books that interest them – from fact or fiction, sports, to science or adventure.
Books can be read in several ways, all of which enable the reader to do so independently if they wish. There is a “read to me” function that highlights the words as they are read or an audio book function option that allows children to listen only.
They can also read independent of any audio function. Teachers can differentiate before remotely assigning readers to their class. There are quizzes and learning videos. Progress can be monitored via reading logs.
The app is free to download, and unlimited access is free until June 30th. The app is free to schools but after June 30th, home subscriptions cost €7.30 per month.
Suitable for: Pre-school to all levels in primary school.
Reading Eggs: There are great resources like this to foster reading skills
[ Reading Eggs ]
(Apple/Android/Amazon. Two-week free trial, €8 per month thereafter)
This app offers structured reading activities with a focus on phonics, high frequency words, phonemic awareness in the early years section. Each lesson begins with an interactive video, followed with interactive activities that aim to reinforce the literacy skill and it finishes with a book and reading activity. The animations and songs will appeal to younger students.
The senior end of the school is also catered for in the Reading Eggspress level, which has some great competitive activities in the Stadium tab. They can choose from grammar, word usage, spelling or vocabulary activities.
The app also offers a numeracy programme called Mathseeds with 200 lessons for children aged 3-9. You can skip to a lesson level that suits from the parent tab. Each lesson starts with an animation and is followed by a step by step, interactive instruction to complete the task. There is also a Mental Minute tab which is a great quick fire warm up to get ready for the lesson ahead.
Suitable for: Pre-school to all levels in primary school.
[ Creative Bursts ]
(Website. Free)
For those who are looking to reduce the screen time but increase engagement, Sarah Webb has created video "story starters".
Children can tune into at 1pm Monday-Friday or access the recorded videos on the website and listen into the daily creative challenges and writing games. They can create characters, word spiders or write stories based on photos and props and much more.
Suitable for: Nine-plus (but younger, with help)
Topmarks: This website/app hosts a series of subject-based interactive activities for all class levels.
[ Topmarks ]
(Apple/Amazon/Anderoid. App costs €3.50, website access is free)
This website/app hosts a series of subject-based interactive activities for all class levels. The activities are more of a consolidating nature than instructional, but kids enjoy them.
The Hit the Button activity in the maths section is a particular favourite and children can choose to challenge themselves based on the tables or number calculation they are working on.
Suitable for: All ages
Kahoot: the popular quiz-based game works well in school and at home
[ Kahoot! ]
(Apple/Android/Huawei. Free)
This game-based app is a real winner. Often used in classrooms as a fun assessment tool, many students will already be familiar with how to use it. The classroom Kahoot encouraged speed and maximised fun and engagement – but the remote aspect has shifted the focus to accuracy, with students playing at home at their own pace while still maintaining the fun and engagement.
Teachers can set multiple choice questions based on topics covered and the app converts it to an interactive quiz. Students can also create their own quizzes. Teachers have uploaded a bank of quizzes that can be accessed by any user – so you don’t have to be assigned a quiz to use the app.
It sounds very simple – but it is the simplicity of the app that keeps it engaging. Once you’ve played one Kahoot you’ll play a hundred. There is an option to switch off the music to avoid the earworm background music.
Suitable for: Five-plus years
Go Noodle: the classroom-based activity app can be a hit at home too
[ GoNoodle ]
(Android/Apple/Amazon. Free)
Like Kahoot, many primary school children will be familiar with GoNoodle, and like the teachers, parents are all too aware of the need for movement breaks. GoNoodle is an app that guides you through those breaks. The activities are designed to get the heart rate up and have a bit of fun.
They last about five minutes and the children are generally the best judge of the activity that suits them. Be warned: they may want you to join in too.
If you need to bring the energy down a little there are activities in the Flow section that can bring some calm to the table.
Suitable for: Six-plus years.
[ World Book Online ]
(Website. Free)
The days of collecting the tactile encyclopaedia from A-Z have all but departed – but World Book Online offers up a virtual encyclopaedia. Click the discover tab to gather information from your chosen area, from science and maths to world religions. The early learning tab has a selection of interactive games, stories and art activities. The timeline section covers a tapestry of topics as rich as history itself and there is also an ebook section. But this is just the tip of the iceberg of tabs t available to help support any project-based learning.
Suitable for: All ages.
[ Kloog ]
(Apple/Android. Free)
This is a social skills app and was developed by Shine Centre for Autism in Cork. It is an online version of the classroom-based programme Personal and Life Skills (Pals).
The programme aims to help autistic children and teenagers “learn and understand about the often-confusing social world that surrounds them”.
There are two apps. The first one, Mission Rescue Kloog, addresses social interactions and nuances in communication. The second app, Klooog2 - Return to Zugopolis, deals with the area of friendship, bullying and online safety.
Suitable for: Primary school/post-primary.
[ Séideán Sí ]
(Website, some activities require Flash. Free)
This website provides Irish language activities for children. Users can choose the cainúint they wish – Munster, Ulster, Connaught – and then choose their class level. There are spelling, grammar and reading activities to choose from.
Suitable for: All ages.
Clár Luathléitheoireachta
(Website. Free)
Another Irish language website with super, child friendly games and activities. You can choose levels and games that suit. The activities are divided into three bands and each band progresses through levelled activities, from putting words in correct order, to listening activities and word recognition. The activities are short, engaging and fun.
Suitable for: All ages.
Duolingo
(Apple/Android. Free)
While many of us may have threatened to learn a new language in lockdown, chances are only a few or us have followed through.
This app is, however, useful for English as an additional language (EAL) students or who have had their language acquisition interrupted. It won’t replace the social side of language practice that happens informally at school, but the lessons are short and a fun way to keep them chatting and practising.
Suitable for: Anyone interested in learning a new language.