theirishtimes--2020-11-28--Another Life: Badgers once again top list of roadkill

Beyond the darkling hills of the Wild Atlantic Way , the big roads widen , straighten , point sweepingly from A to B .
In the nights before Christmas I imagine them as rivers of light and dazzling reflections of wetness .
Their 916 km of motorways link to many times that length of primary and secondary roads .
This is one of Europe ’ s highest densities .
The toll of human traffic casualties is dismaying enough , but the annual toll on wildlife is also extraordinary , and reported deaths have never been so high .
They are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Cork ecologist Paul Whelan since 2005 .
Its roster of roadkill displayed on all-Ireland maps and its data inform the National Parks & Wildlife Service and the National Biodiversity Centre .
So far in 2020 – a year of some reduced driving , but greatly increased courier and delivery traffic – the list is headed , as usual , by badgers .
Their deaths total 1,990 to date , heaviest on the Dublin commuter belt in Leinster , and in Co Clare and west Cork .
The 1,377 foxes and 1,200 hedgehogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 348 pine martens died mostly on midland roads , and 302 otters mostly in the southwest .
The sightings are reported by Paul Whelan himself and by wildlife rangers and citizen scientists who know about biology.ie , have a GPS reading handy , and can be bothered to stop and check .
So these are fractional numbers .
So much for monitoring mortality .
Better news can be sought in the “ mitigation measures ” for wildlife to be found in the stretches of major new road that , even in these lean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wildlife plans for motorways are adopted by the National Roads Authority ( NRA ) and those for national and minor roads by Transport Infrastructure Ireland ( TII ) .
Many stem from EU directives on protecting habitats and rare species in conservation areas .
And tracking patterns of roadkill help to put fences , trees , bridges and underpasses where they will save most wild lives .
Underpasses with side ledges have meant the most to mammals .
Their use by badgers is shown in a study just published online , led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dublin zoologist .
Gaughran ’ s team tracked the movements of a large population of badgers for more than six years before , during and after major road construction of the M11 in Co Wicklow .
Tracking collars were fitted to 80 of them and cameras watched their use of the completed underpasses .
They were steered to these culverts by badger-proof fencing along the entire 16km of motorway .
The badgers ’ territorial ranges stayed much the same – significant for concern about the spread of bovine TB – and the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road were from unfinished gaps in the fencing .
In the six years of the study , however , 49 badgers were killed on the N11 and minor roads in the area .
At an average rate of 10 to 15 per cent a year of the badger population , this was 10 times the “ relatively unimportant ” roadkill rate suggested by an earlier University College Cork ( UCC ) survey of rural roads in 2012 and may reflect the growing intensity of Leinster ’ s traffic .
Underpasses can also serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UCC study of culverts under a bypass at Watergrasshill logged the passage of otter , fox , rabbit , pygmy shrew and field mouse ( but not , apparently , any badgers ) .
Bats , too , figure in the NRA ’ s best practice guidelines and Ireland ’ s first bat bridge was finished in 2017 .
Constructed over the new M17 motorway in south Co Galway , this elegant green overpass , planted with hedgerows , is meant to serve highly protected lesser-horseshoe bats flying between roosts at Kiltartan Cave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of the most intensive research seeks ways to stop so many barn owls being killed on the roads .
Their national population , declining over the past 40 years , is down to no more than 500 pairs and roadkill , particularly on high-speed motorways , is a major threat .
Three years of study led by John Lusby of BirdWatch Ireland and backed by TII have matched motorway expansion in the southwest , the barn owl ’ s stronghold .
His surveys suggest an annual kill of 50 to 60 owls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kerry and Tipperary .
Local contours can funnel the flights of dispersing juvenile owls , in particular , to lower points in the road , where belts of trees or other screens can help lift their flight-paths above the traffic .
Wide grassy verges offer owls the prey of small mammals , so that narrower verges at key locations can reduce their attraction .
Lusby has presented such findings at international road conferences and he has written the Barn Owl Surveying Standards for National Road Projects , published on the TII website .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ implementing them in new road design may take a while .

Beyond the darkling hills of the Wild Atlantic Way, the big roads widen, straighten, point sweepingly from A to B. In the nights before Christmas I imagine them as rivers of light and dazzling reflections of wetness. Their 916 km of motorways link to many times that length of primary and secondary roads. This is one of Europe’s highest densities.
The toll of human traffic casualties is dismaying enough, but the annual toll on wildlife is also extraordinary, and reported deaths have never been so high.
They are listed on the website biology.ie, run by Cork ecologist Paul Whelan since 2005. Its roster of roadkill displayed on all-Ireland maps and its data inform the National Parks & Wildlife Service and the National Biodiversity Centre.
So far in 2020 – a year of some reduced driving, but greatly increased courier and delivery traffic – the list is headed, as usual, by badgers. Their deaths total 1,990 to date, heaviest on the Dublin commuter belt in Leinster, and in Co Clare and west Cork. The 1,377 foxes and 1,200 hedgehogs follow much the same pattern. The 348 pine martens died mostly on midland roads, and 302 otters mostly in the southwest.
READ MORE
The sightings are reported by Paul Whelan himself and by wildlife rangers and citizen scientists who know about biology.ie, have a GPS reading handy, and can be bothered to stop and check. So these are fractional numbers.
So much for monitoring mortality. Better news can be sought in the “mitigation measures” for wildlife to be found in the stretches of major new road that, even in these lean times, continue in planning and construction.
Wildlife plans for motorways are adopted by the National Roads Authority (NRA) and those for national and minor roads by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). Many stem from EU directives on protecting habitats and rare species in conservation areas. And tracking patterns of roadkill help to put fences, trees, bridges and underpasses where they will save most wild lives.
Underpasses with side ledges have meant the most to mammals. Their use by badgers is shown in a study just published online, led by Aoibheann Gaughran, a Trinity College Dublin zoologist. Gaughran's team tracked the movements of a large population of badgers for more than six years before, during and after major road construction of the M11 in Co Wicklow. Tracking collars were fitted to 80 of them and cameras watched their use of the completed underpasses.
They were steered to these culverts by badger-proof fencing along the entire 16km of motorway. The badgers’ territorial ranges stayed much the same – significant for concern about the spread of bovine TB – and the only two deaths to occur on the new road were from unfinished gaps in the fencing.
In the six years of the study, however, 49 badgers were killed on the N11 and minor roads in the area. At an average rate of 10 to 15 per cent a year of the badger population, this was 10 times the “relatively unimportant” roadkill rate suggested by an earlier University College Cork (UCC) survey of rural roads in 2012 and may reflect the growing intensity of Leinster’s traffic.
Underpasses can also serve a wide mix of wildlife. A UCC study of culverts under a bypass at Watergrasshill logged the passage of otter, fox, rabbit, pygmy shrew and field mouse (but not, apparently, any badgers).
Bats, too, figure in the NRA’s best practice guidelines and Ireland’s first bat bridge was finished in 2017. Constructed over the new M17 motorway in south Co Galway, this elegant green overpass, planted with hedgerows, is meant to serve highly protected lesser-horseshoe bats flying between roosts at Kiltartan Cave to feeding grounds at Coole Park.
Some of the most intensive research seeks ways to stop so many barn owls being killed on the roads. Their national population, declining over the past 40 years, is down to no more than 500 pairs and roadkill, particularly on high-speed motorways, is a major threat.
Three years of study led by John Lusby of BirdWatch Ireland and backed by TII have matched motorway expansion in the southwest, the barn owl's stronghold. His surveys suggest an annual kill of 50 to 60 owls per 100 km, with hot-spots in Kerry and Tipperary.
Local contours can funnel the flights of dispersing juvenile owls, in particular, to lower points in the road, where belts of trees or other screens can help lift their flight-paths above the traffic. Wide grassy verges offer owls the prey of small mammals, so that narrower verges at key locations can reduce their attraction.
Lusby has presented such findings at international road conferences and he has written the Barn Owl Surveying Standards for National Road Projects, published on the TII website. Technical standards are good to see; implementing them in new road design may take a while.


theirishtimes--2020-11-29--Vaccine rollout could begin early in New Year, says Donnelly

Vaccines could be made available to Irish residents early in the New Year , the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said on Sunday .
Ahead of a meeting of the State ’ s vaccination taskforce on Monday , Mr Donnelly said in terms of rollout , “ I ’ d say December is unlikely to be honest with you , but quite soon , ” adding that the quicker rollout of vaccines compared to earlier projections was “ very heartwarming ” .
Asked when the first vaccines could be administered , if they received regulatory approval , Mr Donnelly said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has signed up to advance purchase agreements for are looking for market authorisation in “ the coming weeks ” .
The Minister said there has been no conversation at a Government level about making the vaccine mandatory .
“ My strong preference is that it would be voluntary.
” He said while there is an anti-vaccination movement which has pushed misinformation “ I think the vast majority of people see that for what it is , and I think people are well disposed to taking the vaccine when it comes out , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Record show with Gavan Reilly .
Mr Donnelly also confirmed that the State had indemnified drug companies against any liabilities arising from complications with the vaccine .
The new high level Government committee to handle the roll out of Covid-19 vaccines will be chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith of DCU .
A vaccine strategy is due to be completed by December 11th .
The State will receive about 1 per cent of the vaccines made available through the EU collective purchase scheme .
The EU will buy approximately 300 million units of vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HSE chief executive Paul Reid , chair of the senior officials group on Covid-19 Liz Canavan , Government chief information officer Barry Lowry and Government chief procurement officer Paul Quinn .
The group will also include a logistics cold chain expert and project management expert .
The EU has agreed to buy up to 300 million doses of the groundbreaking coronavirus vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer .
Pfizer said deliveries were expected to begin by the end of the year , subject to the vaccine receiving regulatory approval from the European Medicines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris called for cross-party co-operation to support vaccination .
“ This is not a party political point .
Good people in all parties & we will all need to work together to get the message out .
We have done it before on major issues .
”

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the likely quicker rollout of vaccines was ‘very heartwarming’. Photograph: Laura Hutton / The Irish Times.
Vaccines could be made available to Irish residents early in the New Year, the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said on Sunday.
Mr Donnelly was speaking after the head of the Government’s new taskforce on the delivery of vaccines Prof Brian MacCraith said they could start to be distributed by January.
Commenting on Sunday on the timeline for the delivery of the vaccines Donnelly said: “I’d say December is unlikely to be honest with you, but quite soon.”
Hospital Report
He said inoculation would start “as soon as possible” depending on “which of the vaccines come to market first”.
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He said the State had signed up to four vaccines and he would be bring a memo to Cabinet in relation to a fifth vaccine on Tuesday.
Mr Donnelly said the likely availability of vaccines was “another piece of really good news “, given earlier predictions that vaccines could take up to three years to develop.
Mr Donnelly said the BioNtech-Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines were looking for market authorization in “the coming weeks and Brian MacCraith and his team are putting place the steps to make sure they could be rolled out quickly”.
He said the Pfizer vaccine had to be stored at -70degrees, so there may be different scenarios about how the vaccines are distributed.
But, he said, while the logistics and rollout was a matter for Prof MacCraith, Mr Donnelly said he would be “surprised” if their report did not recommend healthcare workers and vulnerable groups be vaccinated first.
The EU has agreed to buy up to 300 million doses of the ground breaking coronavirus vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer. Pfizer said deliveries were expected to begin by the end of the year, subject to the vaccine receiving regulatory approval from the European Medicines Agency..
Speaking to LMFM over the weekend Prof McCraith said the overall order consisting of multiple vaccines that Ireland was scheduled to be offered, represented 1.11 per cent of a supply of 1.4 billion doses ordered by the EU.
Ireland’s share had been agreed with the European Commission, giving the State a potential supply of 15 million doses.
The EU has signed advance purchase agreements for a total of six vaccines, which Prof MacCraith described as “a pathway out of this pandemic - our pathway to freedom”.
“It could be late December but it certainly will happen in January at the very latest, we will have vaccines on the ground here and we need to know exactly what to do as efficiently and as effectively as possible” he said.
The six vaccines for which the EU has agreements for, are from Moderna, Pfizer, Janssen, Sanofi, Curevac and AstraZeneca. More than 150 are in development across the world. “We will not be short of vaccines”, he said.
Just over half the population would take a Covid-19 vaccine if there was one, according to a survey commissioned by the pharmaceutical industry.
Men are more likely to take the vaccine, and older people more than the young, the survey for the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association suggests.
Some 55 per cent of people surveyed said they would opt for the vaccine, 33 per cent were unsure and 12 per cent said they would not take it. One fifth of those aged between 18 and 34 were opposed to taking the vaccine.
Mr Donnelly said he did not envisage making the taking of the vaccine compulsory.
Included among the membership of the vaccines committee is HSE chief executive Paul Reid, chair of the senior officials group on Covid-19 Liz Canavan, Government chief information officer Barry Lowry and Government chief procurement officer Paul Quinn.
The group will also include a logistics cold chain expert and project management expert.


theirishtimes--2020-11-29--Archbishops welcome return of public worship but ‘testing times’ for North

Dublin ’ s two Archbishops have welcomed the lifting of Government pandemic restrictions that will see public worship resume in the Republic from Tuesday .
However , it is very different in in Armagh where Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin noted that “ here in Northern Ireland , public worship has once more been suspended for two weeks in a so-called ‘ circuit-breaker ’ lockdown ” .
This “ whilst south of the border , congregations can return to Mass and the Sacraments from Tuesday next.
” It meant “ testing times , and it can be difficult for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep going ” but it was “ vital that we continue to show solidarity with doctors , health workers and other carers who are at the front line of tackling the virus - day in , day out , ” he said .
His counterpart in Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin welcomed “ the return on Tuesday of public worship in our Churches , ” and felt “ we have witnessed during the shock of this pandemic a resurgence of some of the things that are central to human community.
” Speaking at Mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Westland Row , he said “ we have seen the witness of people in the front line but also within the fabric of everyday society , the people who Pope Francis calls ‘ The saints next door… the antibodies to the virus of indifference ’ .
” He recalled how “ very few of us could have imagined just one year ago how our lives would have changed radically because of the current Covid pandemic.
” We lived “ in a world fascinated by progress .
Perhaps we deceived ourselves into thinking that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to a gradual improvement of the human condition , ” he said .
Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson said the reopening of churches for public worship on Tuesday , “ while modest in comparison with what we have been accustomed to doing , will gladden the hearts of members of my own diocese particularly at this time of year.
” Gathering , he said , was “ important in how people of faith function .
This relates both to our self–understanding and to the positive contributions we make to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of others and of ourselves must be maintained as public health remains the guiding priority .
Congregations have been asked to wear masks while in church and I urge everyone to continue to comply with the public health guidance.
” The Irish Church Together group , which represents the more evangelical Catholic , Protestant , Pentecostal and New churches in Ireland , thanked Taoiseach Micheál Martin “ for the work you have done in managing the return to Level 3 in this Covid crisis and specifically for the return to public worship from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detailed consideration of the case we made for public worship to be allowed at Level 3 .
”

Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said ‘we have witnessed during the shock of this pandemic a resurgence of some of the things that are central to human community.’ Photograph: Getty
Dublin’s two Archbishops have welcomed the lifting of Government pandemic restrictions that will see public worship resume in the Republic from Tuesday.
However, it is very different in in Armagh where Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin noted that "here in Northern Ireland, public worship has once more been suspended for two weeks in a so-called 'circuit-breaker' lockdown".
This “ whilst south of the border, congregations can return to Mass and the Sacraments from Tuesday next.”
It meant “testing times, and it can be difficult for some of us to find the resilience to keep going” but it was “vital that we continue to show solidarity with doctors, health workers and other carers who are at the front line of tackling the virus - day in, day out,” he said.
READ MORE
His counterpart in Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin welcomed“the return on Tuesday of public worship in our Churches,” and felt “we have witnessed during the shock of this pandemic a resurgence of some of the things that are central to human community.”
Speaking at Mass in St Andrew's Church on Westland Row, he said "we have seen the witness of people in the front line but also within the fabric of everyday society, the people who Pope Francis calls 'The saints next door… the antibodies to the virus of indifference'."
He recalled how “very few of us could have imagined just one year ago how our lives would have changed radically because of the current Covid pandemic.”
We lived “in a world fascinated by progress. Perhaps we deceived ourselves into thinking that progress was a linear process that automatically led to a gradual improvement of the human condition,” he said.
Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson said the reopening of churches for public worship on Tuesday, "while modest in comparison with what we have been accustomed to doing, will gladden the hearts of members of my own diocese particularly at this time of year."
Gathering, he said, was “important in how people of faith function. This relates both to our self–understanding and to the positive contributions we make to civil society.
“Caution and care of others and of ourselves must be maintained as public health remains the guiding priority. Congregations have been asked to wear masks while in church and I urge everyone to continue to comply with the public health guidance.”
The Irish Church Together group, which represents the more evangelical Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal and New churches in Ireland, thanked Taoiseach Micheál Martin “for the work you have done in managing the return to Level 3 in this Covid crisis and specifically for the return to public worship from December 1st. Thank you for your detailed consideration of the case we made for public worship to be allowed at Level 3.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-29--Two men arrested after cannabis worth €140,000 seized in Dublin

Two young men have been arrested after cannabis worth an estimated €140,000 was seized by gardaí in Dublin on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ after gardaí stopped a vehicle in Clondalkin yesterday evening .
In a statement gardaí said @ @ @ @ @ smell of cannabis from the vehicle ” promoting a search in which suspected cannabis herb @ @ @ @ @ A follow up search in the Ballyfermot area resulted in the seizure of a further @ @ @ @ @ quantity of suspected cocaine .
Two men aged in their 20s have been arrested in @ @ @ @ @ are being questioned at Clondalkin Garda station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice ( @ @ @ @ @ .

The drugs were found after a car was stopped in Dublin on Saturday evening. Photograph: Collins
Two young men have been arrested after cannabis worth an estimated €140,000 was seized by gardaí in Dublin on Saturday.
The drugs were found after gardaí stopped a vehicle in Clondalkin yesterday evening.
In a statement gardaí said the officers “detected a smell of cannabis from the vehicle” promoting a search in which suspected cannabis herb worth €100,000 was found.
A follow up search in the Ballyfermot area resulted in the seizure of a further €40,000 cannabis and a small quantity of suspected cocaine.
READ MORE
Two men aged in their 20s have been arrested in connection with the seizures and are being questioned at Clondalkin Garda station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.


theirishtimes--2020-11-28--Nasa says it ‘can’t wait’ for Adam from the Toy Show to join its team

America ’ s National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( Nasa ) has said it “ can ’ t wait ” for Adam King to “ one day join our team of dreamers ” .
Adam ( 6 ) appeared on the Late Late Toy Show on Friday night and told host Ryan Tubridy that he dreamed of one day commanding a space mission with Nasa .
The boy from Cork said he would like to be an astronaut but feared that wasn ’ t possible because he had “ brittle bones ” .
In a tweet , Nasa said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spirit inspires us .
There ’ s space for everybody at NASA , and we can ’ t wait for him to one day join our team of dreamers .
We ’ ll be here when he ’ s ready.
” Adam ’ s appearance on the Late Late Toy Show also impressed Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield , who posted a video clip from the Toy Show on Twitter .
“ Adam – I ’ ve been lucky enough to CAPCOM many spaceflights .
We should talk space together .
Take care , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Space Station commander said .
When Tubridy asked Adam what he wanted to be when he grows up , he said , “ Capcom in Nasa , captain of ground control.
” “ You want to be like , ‘ Ground control to Major Tom ?
” asked Tubridy .
Tubridy then asked him if he would liked to have been an astronaut at some stage .
“ We ’ ll I can ’ t be an astronaut because I have brittle bones , ” said Adam , who appeared on set in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be the guy with the microphone underneath , on the ground ?
” said Tubridy .
Tubridy then informed Adam that he had a rocket in the studio and he invited the young boy to command him on a mission .
Adam then took a microphone and counted down from 12 while Tubridy shook vigorously inside a large cardboard rocket before rolling around on the floor .
The Irish diplomatic corps also appeared keen to get Adam to mission command , with a post from the Embassy of Ireland USA ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ad Astra [ through hardships to the stars ] , Adam .
Keep looking to the stars young man .
In the meantime , we ’ ll reach out to our friends @ NASA & see if they can ’ t help bring your dreams a little closer.
” Irish aeronautical engineer Dr Norah Patten also addressed Adam on Twitter , saying she would love to meet him some time and hear about his love of space .
“ You ’ re a star , ” she said .

Adam King (6), from Cork, said he wanted to command a space mission with Nasa. Photograph: Irish Embassy USA Twitter account
America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) has said it “can’t wait” for Adam King to “one day join our team of dreamers”.
Adam (6) appeared on the Late Late Toy Show on Friday night and told host Ryan Tubridy that he dreamed of one day commanding a space mission with Nasa.
The boy from Cork said he would like to be an astronaut but feared that wasn’t possible because he had “brittle bones”.
In a tweet, Nasa said “Adam’s kind heart and adventurous spirit inspires us. There’s space for everybody at NASA, and we can’t wait for him to one day join our team of dreamers. We’ll be here when he’s ready.”
READ MORE
Adam’s appearance on the Late Late Toy Show also impressed Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who posted a video clip from the Toy Show on Twitter.
“Adam – I’ve been lucky enough to CAPCOM many spaceflights. We should talk space together. Take care, be good,” the former International Space Station commander said.
When Tubridy asked Adam what he wanted to be when he grows up, he said, “Capcom in Nasa, captain of ground control.”
“You want to be like, ‘Ground control to Major Tom?” asked Tubridy.
“Yep,” said Adam.
Tubridy then asked him if he would liked to have been an astronaut at some stage.
“We’ll I can’t be an astronaut because I have brittle bones,” said Adam, who appeared on set in his wheelchair.
“So instead you can be the guy with the microphone underneath, on the ground?” said Tubridy.
“Yep.”
Tubridy then informed Adam that he had a rocket in the studio and he invited the young boy to command him on a mission.
Adam then took a microphone and counted down from 12 while Tubridy shook vigorously inside a large cardboard rocket before rolling around on the floor.
The Irish diplomatic corps also appeared keen to get Adam to mission command, with a post from the Embassy of Ireland USA’s twitter account reading:
“Per aspera ad Astra [through hardships to the stars], Adam. Keep looking to the stars young man. In the meantime, we’ll reach out to our friends @NASA & see if they can’t help bring your dreams a little closer.”
Irish aeronautical engineer Dr Norah Patten also addressed Adam on Twitter, saying she would love to meet him some time and hear about his love of space. “You’re a star,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-11-30--Church of Ireland to mark 30 years of women priests

The 30th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Church of Ireland will be marked at its General Synod this week .
The General Synod was originally to have taken place at Croke Park last May but was postponed due to the pandemic .
It will now happen online , on December 1st and 2nd .
The ordination of women priests and bishops was approved by General Synod in May 1990 and in the following month two deacons – Rev Irene Templeton and Rev Kathleen Young – became the first female priests in Ireland following their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Belfast by then Bishop of Connor Samuel Poyntz .
Though attended by several hundred people , television cameras were excluded from the actual ceremony on June 24th , 1990 .
However , Bishop Poyntz ’ s words of ordination were relayed outside on loudspeakers .
The Church of Ireland ’ s first woman deacon , Rev Katharine Poulton , was ordained to that role three years previously in June 1987 .
In 2010 she was the first woman Dean of Ossory and installed that Easter at St Canice ’ s Cathedral , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first woman bishop , Most Rev Pat Storey , was consecrated as Bishop of Meath and Kildare on November 30th , 2013 .
Currently about one in five of the Church of Ireland ’ s 500 serving clergy are woman .
This week ’ s General Synod will be the first presided over by new Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh John McDowell , who assumed office last April .
His predecessor Archbishop Richard Clarke retired last February .
Dr McDowell will deliver his first General Synod Presidential address on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already been made available online to General Synod attendees .
The Representative Church Body , the central trustee body of the church , has reported that its total funds in 2019 increased by 13 per cent , from €179.3 million to € 203 million .

The Church of Ireland’s first woman deacon, Rev Katharine Poulton, was ordained to that role three years previously in June 1987. Photograph: iStock
The 30th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Church of Ireland will be marked at its General Synod this week.
The General Synod was originally to have taken place at Croke Park last May but was postponed due to the pandemic. It will now happen online, on December 1st and 2nd.
The ordination of women priests and bishops was approved by General Synod in May 1990 and in the following month two deacons – Rev Irene Templeton and Rev Kathleen Young – became the first female priests in Ireland following their ordination at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast by then Bishop of Connor Samuel Poyntz.
Though attended by several hundred people, television cameras were excluded from the actual ceremony on June 24th, 1990. However, Bishop Poyntz’s words of ordination were relayed outside on loudspeakers.
READ MORE
The Church of Ireland's first woman deacon, Rev Katharine Poulton, was ordained to that role three years previously in June 1987. In 2010 she was the first woman Dean of Ossory and installed that Easter at St Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny.
The Church of Ireland's first woman bishop, Most Rev Pat Storey, was consecrated as Bishop of Meath and Kildare on November 30th, 2013.
Currently about one in five of the Church of Ireland’s 500 serving clergy are woman.
This week's General Synod will be the first presided over by new Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh John McDowell, who assumed office last April. His predecessor Archbishop Richard Clarke retired last February.
Dr McDowell will deliver his first General Synod Presidential address on Wednesday morning.
All relevant reports have already been made available online to General Synod attendees. The Representative Church Body, the central trustee body of the church, has reported that its total funds in 2019 increased by 13 per cent, from €179.3 million to € 203 million.


theirishtimes--2020-11-30--Ministers cautioned over key demand by CervicalCheck group

Ministers have been warned that conceding on a key demand from a support group for women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy could force liability insurers from the Irish market .
This could , in turn , undermine the provision of cancer screening services here , Attorney General Paul Gallagher warned in a note to Cabinet last week on issues relating to the CervicalCheck Tribunal .
Government sources said the note addressed , among other issues , a request from the 221+ group that women be allowed to seek a further award from the tribunal if their cancer recurred .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services essential to the screening process could withdraw cover if this was permitted , seeing the change as a sign that the Government was willing to make fundamental adjustments to the market .
Three sources with knowledge of the letter said Mr Gallagher warned this could result in these companies no longer offering services to the Health Service Executive , which would raise doubts about whether the State could continue running other screening services .
The issue of recurrence is among several criticisms of the tribunal process which have been raised by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group is also concerned about the statute of limitations potentially barring some from taking part in the tribunal .
It is understood that Ministers have also been cautioned against making concessions on this , with legal advice that such a move raises constitutional concerns as the statute of limitations can not be applied selectively , or retrospectively .
The group was established in 2018 to provide information , advice , and support to the women and families directly affected by failures in the CervicalCheck screening programme .
Relations between the Government and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over design of the tribunal .
Although the advice from Mr Gallagher is not binding , it may limit the State ’ s room for manoeuvre on key questions related to this politically contentious issue .
Earlier this month , the group told its members that there was nothing available to them in the planned CervicalCheck tribunal that was not available in the High Court .
Officials in the Department of Health contacted the group last week after the issue was discussed at Cabinet .
Last week , campaigner Vicky Phelan said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks with the Government “ unless there is something new on the table or they will come back and meet us .
.
.
halfway ” .
She warned that very few women may end up using the tribunal , which was set up to be less confrontational than High Court cases .
In a recent letter to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly , the group said it would support members who decided to “ take the tribunal route rather than face the interminable wait for court time , or die waiting ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified solutions to the issues that work within existing legal and constitutional parameters .
“ We will of course support them in that choice and in their lives generally as they continue to live with the consequence of the State ’ s actions .
”

The issue of recurring illness is among several criticisms of the tribunal process which have been raised by the 221+ group in recent weeks. File photograph: Getty
Ministers have been warned that conceding on a key demand from a support group for women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy could force liability insurers from the Irish market.
This could, in turn, undermine the provision of cancer screening services here, Attorney General Paul Gallagher warned in a note to Cabinet last week on issues relating to the CervicalCheck Tribunal.
Government sources said the note addressed, among other issues, a request from the 221+ group that women be allowed to seek a further award from the tribunal if their cancer recurred.
Mr Gallagher argued insurers to companies who provide services essential to the screening process could withdraw cover if this was permitted, seeing the change as a sign that the Government was willing to make fundamental adjustments to the market.
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Three sources with knowledge of the letter said Mr Gallagher warned this could result in these companies no longer offering services to the Health Service Executive, which would raise doubts about whether the State could continue running other screening services.
The issue of recurrence is among several criticisms of the tribunal process which have been raised by the 221+ group in recent weeks.
The group is also concerned about the statute of limitations potentially barring some from taking part in the tribunal. It is understood that Ministers have also been cautioned against making concessions on this, with legal advice that such a move raises constitutional concerns as the statute of limitations cannot be applied selectively, or retrospectively.
The group was established in 2018 to provide information, advice, and support to the women and families directly affected by failures in the CervicalCheck screening programme.
AG advice not binding
Relations between the Government and the 221+ group have deteriorated in recent weeks over design of the tribunal. Although the advice from Mr Gallagher is not binding, it may limit the State’s room for manoeuvre on key questions related to this politically contentious issue.
Earlier this month, the group told its members that there was nothing available to them in the planned CervicalCheck tribunal that was not available in the High Court. Officials in the Department of Health contacted the group last week after the issue was discussed at Cabinet.
Last week, campaigner Vicky Phelan said the group has no plans to return to talks with the Government "unless there is something new on the table or they will come back and meet us . . . halfway".
She warned that very few women may end up using the tribunal, which was set up to be less confrontational than High Court cases.
In a recent letter to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, the group said it would support members who decided to "take the tribunal route rather than face the interminable wait for court time, or die waiting".
The group also believes it has identified solutions to the issues that work within existing legal and constitutional parameters.
“We will of course support them in that choice and in their lives generally as they continue to live with the consequence of the State’s actions.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-30--Majority of Dublin’s Airbnb-style lets return to long-term market

Up to 70 per cent of suspected illegal Airbnb-style holiday lets in Dublin city have returned to the full-time rental market since the start of the pandemic , according to new figures from Dublin City Council .
About 900 properties in the city had been under investigation by the council for suspected breaches of the legislation governing the use of homes for tourist or other short-term lets .
Since July of last year , owners of properties in rent pressure zones have to get planning permission to use their housing for short-term lets for more than three months a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apply for permission , the council ’ s policy is to refuse it in order to prevent the loss of permanent rental accommodation in the city .
Due to travel restrictions associated with the pandemic , the number of complaints made to the council about short-term lets had dwindled , council planner Jonathan Fallon said .
This enabled the unit to focus on the 900 identified properties .
“ We wrote out to all the owners and all parties involved in those properties and we asked them what their intention was in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with regard to the use of the properties concerned , ” Mr Fallon said .
“ We got a huge response to those letters .
A huge number of them , 60-70 per cent said they have reverted to long-term use.
” The owners of the properties were required to provide the council with tenancy agreements with their new residents , to confirm they are operating as traditional landlords .
“ The copies of tenancy agreements we have got in show [ the owners ] seem to have gone for a three- or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the market would go , but quite a lot of them have changed to 12-month leases as well , ” Mr Fallon said .
The council has initiated court action in relation to four properties , where the owners failed to comply with enforcement notices ordering them to stop operating short-term lets .
The owners face penalties of up to €5,000 or six months ’ imprisonment , or both , if convicted .
The council ’ s head of housing , Brendan Kenny , said in July the council had secured a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families .
Mr Fallon said the unit was continuing to investigate potentially illegal short-term rental use .
“ We are continuing to trawl the various websites and pick out places at random where we feel that letting may still be taking place in a number of inner-city locations and we are proactively going after those people as well .
”

Since July of 2019, owners of properties in rent pressure zones have to get planning permission to use their housing for short-term lets for more than three months a year. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA
Up to 70 per cent of suspected illegal Airbnb-style holiday lets in Dublin city have returned to the full-time rental market since the start of the pandemic, according to new figures from Dublin City Council.
About 900 properties in the city had been under investigation by the council for suspected breaches of the legislation governing the use of homes for tourist or other short-term lets.
Since July of last year, owners of properties in rent pressure zones have to get planning permission to use their housing for short-term lets for more than three months a year.
However, while property owners can apply for permission, the council’s policy is to refuse it in order to prevent the loss of permanent rental accommodation in the city.
READ MORE
Travel restrictions
Due to travel restrictions associated with the pandemic, the number of complaints made to the council about short-term lets had dwindled, council planner Jonathan Fallon said. This enabled the unit to focus on the 900 identified properties.
“We wrote out to all the owners and all parties involved in those properties and we asked them what their intention was in the short, medium, and long term with regard to the use of the properties concerned,” Mr Fallon said.
“We got a huge response to those letters. A huge number of them, 60-70 per cent said they have reverted to long-term use.”
The owners of the properties were required to provide the council with tenancy agreements with their new residents, to confirm they are operating as traditional landlords.
Court action
“The copies of tenancy agreements we have got in show [the owners] seem to have gone for a three- or six-month period in the main to see where the market would go, but quite a lot of them have changed to 12-month leases as well,” Mr Fallon said.
The council has initiated court action in relation to four properties, where the owners failed to comply with enforcement notices ordering them to stop operating short-term lets. The owners face penalties of up to €5,000 or six months’ imprisonment, or both, if convicted.
The council's head of housing, Brendan Kenny, said in July the council had secured a number of former Airbnb lets for homeless families.
Mr Fallon said the unit was continuing to investigate potentially illegal short-term rental use. “We are continuing to trawl the various websites and pick out places at random where we feel that letting may still be taking place in a number of inner-city locations and we are proactively going after those people as well.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-30--Gardaí investigate George Gibney over abuse allegations

Gardaí are investigating former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney over historical allegations that he abused children who were in his care when he was coaching them .
Reports emerged this weekend that two people who were coached by Gibney had contacted gardaí with fresh allegations and were prompted to do so after hearing the Where is George Gibney ?
podcast published by BBC Sounds .
However , The Irish Times has learned that before those two new complainants came forward , gardaí were already investigating Gibney again over allegations dating back decades .
Gibney ( 73 ) currently lives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new complainants ’ allegations had been added to the investigation that was already under way , news of which has not emerged before now .
Garda Headquarters did not make any substantive comment when asked about the two alleged victims who have only recently come forward or the Garda investigation that predated their complaints .
“ An Garda Síochána is continuing an ongoing active criminal investigation , ” it said , adding it was “ not providing any further comment at this time ” .
Sources said the two victims who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made reports to gardaí separately .
Both were coached by Gibney , who worked as a school teacher as well as a swimming coach , and their complaints were regarded as credible and were being treated seriously by gardaí .
The Garda ’ s National Protective Services Unit is carrying out the investigation into Gibney .
The former national swimming coach appeared before Dún Laoghaire District Court in April 1993 to face 27 counts of indecency and carnal knowledge of children .
However , the following year he successfully won a High Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) from pressing ahead with its case against him .
His lawyers successfully argued the case on two grounds , namely the delay in the offences coming to court and a lack of precision in defining specific incidents .
Garda sources believe the DPP would be precluded from attempting to prosecute Gibney on any of the charges dropped in 1994 but that any other allegations could be pursued .
These include the allegations made by the two new complainants and any complaints not among the 27 charges Gibney previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts in Ireland have more frequently convicted criminals , mainly child abusers , for crimes committed decades earlier with victim testimony in court now regularly the only significant evidence required to secure convictions .
After the case against him collapsed in 1994 , Gibney fled Ireland , first to Scotland and then to the United States .
Having moved through a number of states , Gibney now lives in Orlando .
As he never faced any criminal charges Gibney is not on the run and is not wanted at present to face charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he was before the courts in the 1990s as alleged sex offenders enjoy anonymity in order to protect the identity of their victims .
However , in 1994 sports journalist Johnny Watterson , now working for The Irish Times , published an expose into George Gibney in the Sunday Tribune .
Watterson , under his editor at the time , Peter Murtagh , named Gibney for the first time , with comment from Gary O ’ Toole , the former top swimmer who also exposed Gibney .
In the BBC 10-part Where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-producers Mark Horgan and Ciaran Cassidy were aided in finding Gibney by US-based child protection advocate Evin Daly , who tracks offenders .
They located Gibney living in a suburb of Orlando .
He declined to make any comment when approached during the recording of the podcast .

Former Irish swimming coach George Gibney: two people who were coached by Mr Gibney contacted gardaí after hearing the Where is George Gibney? podcast published by BBC Sounds. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Gardaí are investigating former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney over historical allegations that he abused children who were in his care when he was coaching them.
Reports emerged this weekend that two people who were coached by Gibney had contacted gardaí with fresh allegations and were prompted to do so after hearing the Where is George Gibney? podcast published by BBC Sounds.
However, The Irish Times has learned that before those two new complainants came forward, gardaí were already investigating Gibney again over allegations dating back decades. Gibney (73) currently lives in Orlando, Florida.
Garda sources said the new complainants’ allegations had been added to the investigation that was already under way, news of which has not emerged before now.
READ MORE
Garda Headquarters did not make any substantive comment when asked about the two alleged victims who have only recently come forward or the Garda investigation that predated their complaints.
"An Garda Síochána is continuing an ongoing active criminal investigation," it said, adding it was "not providing any further comment at this time".
Sources said the two victims who had recently come forward both live abroad and made reports to gardaí separately. Both were coached by Gibney, who worked as a school teacher as well as a swimming coach, and their complaints were regarded as credible and were being treated seriously by gardaí. The Garda’s National Protective Services Unit is carrying out the investigation into Gibney.
High Court review
The former national swimming coach appeared before Dún Laoghaire District Court in April 1993 to face 27 counts of indecency and carnal knowledge of children. However, the following year he successfully won a High Court judicial review which prohibited the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from pressing ahead with its case against him.
His lawyers successfully argued the case on two grounds, namely the delay in the offences coming to court and a lack of precision in defining specific incidents.
Garda sources believe the DPP would be precluded from attempting to prosecute Gibney on any of the charges dropped in 1994 but that any other allegations could be pursued. These include the allegations made by the two new complainants and any complaints not among the 27 charges Gibney previously faced.
Since the 1990s, the courts in Ireland have more frequently convicted criminals, mainly child abusers, for crimes committed decades earlier with victim testimony in court now regularly the only significant evidence required to secure convictions.
Fled Ireland
After the case against him collapsed in 1994, Gibney fled Ireland, first to Scotland and then to the United States. Having moved through a number of states, Gibney now lives in Orlando.
As he never faced any criminal charges Gibney is not on the run and is not wanted at present to face charges in Ireland.
He was not named when he was before the courts in the 1990s as alleged sex offenders enjoy anonymity in order to protect the identity of their victims.
However, in 1994 sports journalist Johnny Watterson, now working for The Irish Times, published an expose into George Gibney in the Sunday Tribune. Watterson, under his editor at the time, Peter Murtagh, named Gibney for the first time, with comment from Gary O'Toole, the former top swimmer who also exposed Gibney.
In the BBC 10-part Where is George Gibney? podcast series, co-producers Mark Horgan and Ciaran Cassidy were aided in finding Gibney by US-based child protection advocate Evin Daly, who tracks offenders.
They located Gibney living in a suburb of Orlando. He declined to make any comment when approached during the recording of the podcast.


theirishtimes--2020-11-30--Fixing two-tier pay system has to fit in with overall health reforms

There is a general acceptance at the top of the health service that a decision by the then government in October 2012 to cut the pay of hospital consultants appointed after that date by 30 per cent created a barrier to recruitment and has contributed to the current manpower problems .
While there have been several initiatives to ameliorate the situation , representative bodies maintain medical specialists appointed since then can still earn €50,000 a year less than longer serving colleagues .
Medical organisations claim the pay differential has led to Irish doctors , who traditionally go abroad to undergo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to return .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is a critic of two-tier pay arrangements , but simply rectifying the current position is not straightforward .
It is complicated by the Government ’ s own overall health reform objectives , particularly the future role of private medicine in the public health system and the overall politics of public service pay determination .
Unlike general practitioners , for example , hospital consultants are direct State employees .
However , there is a patchwork of contracts in place – each with their own rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dating back decades .
Some contracts stipulate that the consultant must exclusively treat public patients , others permit fee-paying patients to be seen only in public hospitals while others allow work in off-site private hospitals .
Ireland in the past has been able to punch above its weight in attracting consultants , in part by offering private practice opportunities over and above the public salary .
Given that about half the population is covered by health insurance , the private medicine market in some specialities can be very lucrative .
However , under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to be ended in public hospitals .
Last December , the then government decided that all consultants appointed in future would be on a new higher paid Sláintecare contract which would permit them to treat public patients only .
The Department of Health said under this contract , pay would be set at €222,460 , rising to €252,150 by July 2022 .
Consultants with existing contracts providing for private practice rights would be allowed to transfer to the new arrangements .
Essentially this was the way the then government proposed to deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for those consultants with private practice rights who were appointed after autumn 2012 and who wanted to keep these arrangements , there did not appear to be any mechanism to secure pay equality .
The Sláintecare contractual arrangements were supposed to come into effect in the first part of 2020 .
But the Covid-19 pandemic intervened and , publicly at least , there has been little movement since .
In September , the Cabinet announced changes to legislation that would facilitate the introduction of the higher paid contracts for consultants but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government will have to enter talks with the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association on any Sláintecare contract .
Whether these two rival representative organisations would want the two-tier pay issue to be addressed for all remains to be seen .
Another issue would be how any initiative to end the two-tier pay system for consultants would interact with the Government ’ s overall public service pay strategy .
Two-tier pay is not only an issue in medicine .
It is a matter of huge concern , for example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current public service pay talks .
It is unclear at present whether the Government envisages a standalone deal on two-tier pay for consultants or whether it would form part of an overall public service-wide initiative .

Medical specialists appointed since 2012 can still earn €50,000 a year less than longer serving colleagues. Photograph: Alan Betson
There is a general acceptance at the top of the health service that a decision by the then government in October 2012 to cut the pay of hospital consultants appointed after that date by 30 per cent created a barrier to recruitment and has contributed to the current manpower problems.
While there have been several initiatives to ameliorate the situation, representative bodies maintain medical specialists appointed since then can still earn €50,000 a year less than longer serving colleagues.
Medical organisations claim the pay differential has led to Irish doctors, who traditionally go abroad to undergo part of their specialist training, opting not to return.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is a critic of two-tier pay arrangements, but simply rectifying the current position is not straightforward.
READ MORE
It is complicated by the Government’s own overall health reform objectives, particularly the future role of private medicine in the public health system and the overall politics of public service pay determination.
Unlike general practitioners, for example, hospital consultants are direct State employees. However, there is a patchwork of contracts in place – each with their own rights, restrictions and pay levels, some dating back decades.
Some contracts stipulate that the consultant must exclusively treat public patients, others permit fee-paying patients to be seen only in public hospitals while others allow work in off-site private hospitals.
Ireland in the past has been able to punch above its weight in attracting consultants, in part by offering private practice opportunities over and above the public salary. Given that about half the population is covered by health insurance, the private medicine market in some specialities can be very lucrative.
However, under the Sláintecare health reforms, private practice is to be ended in public hospitals.
Last December, the then government decided that all consultants appointed in future would be on a new higher paid Sláintecare contract which would permit them to treat public patients only. The Department of Health said under this contract, pay would be set at €222,460, rising to €252,150 by July 2022.
Consultants with existing contracts providing for private practice rights would be allowed to transfer to the new arrangements. Essentially this was the way the then government proposed to deal with the two-tier pay system.
However, for those consultants with private practice rights who were appointed after autumn 2012 and who wanted to keep these arrangements, there did not appear to be any mechanism to secure pay equality.
Sláintecare
The Sláintecare contractual arrangements were supposed to come into effect in the first part of 2020. But the Covid-19 pandemic intervened and, publicly at least, there has been little movement since.
In September, the Cabinet announced changes to legislation that would facilitate the introduction of the higher paid contracts for consultants but it has not yet been enacted.
The Government will have to enter talks with the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association on any Sláintecare contract. Whether these two rival representative organisations would want the two-tier pay issue to be addressed for all remains to be seen.
Another issue would be how any initiative to end the two-tier pay system for consultants would interact with the Government’s overall public service pay strategy.
Two-tier pay is not only an issue in medicine. It is a matter of huge concern, for example, in teaching and will feature highly in the current public service pay talks.
It is unclear at present whether the Government envisages a standalone deal on two-tier pay for consultants or whether it would form part of an overall public service-wide initiative.


theirishtimes--2020-11-30--Garda cybercrime unit to get funding boost in fight against organised crime

The Garda is to focus significant investment in the coming months on cybercrime , which senior officers expect will soon be a major front in the fight against organised crime .
This will include the headhunting of cybercrime experts from the technology sector and the rollout of sophisticated password-cracking technology , which the force acquired earlier this year .
The increasing use of heavily encrypted , specialised phones , costing thousands of euro each , by organised criminals has been a source of frustration for detectives in recent years .
Even when phones are seized , unbreakable encryption keys and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean they are often useless as evidence .
In response , the Garda is increasing recruitment to its Cybercrime Bureau and almost doubling the number of staff .
Fifty new detectives are to be assigned to the bureau in the coming weeks .
It will also hire 20 new civilian staff with expertise in cybercrime and encryption .
For the first time , the Garda is to specifically headhunt such experts from universities and technology companies .
There will also be significant improvements in the Garda ’ s technical capabilities .
A decryption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been installed in the bureau ’ s headquarters .
Personnel are still being trained on the machine which will be able to decrypt locked devices using “ brute force ” – namely inputting millions of passwords every hour until it finds the right one .
Sources said the technology will be able to process several hundred thousand passwords every second once it is up and running .
These developments will place the Garda ’ s cybercrime capabilities on a par with the UK ’ s National Crime Agency ( NCA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being planned to strengthen the Garda ’ s powers to intercept and decrypt messages .
It is understood Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has placed a particular focus on improving the force ’ s cyber capabilities and using them against organised crime .
Earlier this year he appointed Detective Superintendent Paul Cleary , a veteran organised crime investigator , to head the cybercrime unit .
Mr Harris has called for gardaí to be given power to legally compel suspects in child abuse imagery investigations to hand over their passwords if a warrant is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ electronic key ” to allow access to encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp , he said earlier this year .
The need for hi-tech decryption capabilities was highlighted during garda operations targeting the Kinahan organised crime group whose members used custom-made “ PGP phones ” which were all but impossible to hack into and automatically deleted messages after a set period of time .
In response to queries , the Garda refused to comment on its new technical capabilities except to confirm the purchase of a decryption suite .
“ The Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process of internal recruitment to recruit members with the pre-requisite skills and academic qualifications to join the existing , highly skilled team , ” a spokesman said .
“ In 2021 , An Garda Síochána intends to recruit civilian technician grade staff , to work in our digital forensics and cybercrime investigations units .
This specific targeted recruitment of highly skilled civilian staff is unprecedented in its scale in AGS .
He added the Garda will also establish four cyber satellite hubs in Wexford , Cork , Galway and Mullingar .
Some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these hubs but they will remain under the control of the National Cybercrime Bureau .

Encrypted phones which can be remotely cleared of data now being used in organised crime, say Garda. Photograph: iStock
The Garda is to focus significant investment in the coming months on cybercrime, which senior officers expect will soon be a major front in the fight against organised crime.
This will include the headhunting of cybercrime experts from the technology sector and the rollout of sophisticated password-cracking technology, which the force acquired earlier this year.
The increasing use of heavily encrypted, specialised phones, costing thousands of euro each, by organised criminals has been a source of frustration for detectives in recent years.
Even when phones are seized, unbreakable encryption keys and programs which can wipe all data remotely mean they are often useless as evidence.
READ MORE
In response, the Garda is increasing recruitment to its Cybercrime Bureau and almost doubling the number of staff.
Fifty new detectives are to be assigned to the bureau in the coming weeks. It will also hire 20 new civilian staff with expertise in cybercrime and encryption.
For the first time, the Garda is to specifically headhunt such experts from universities and technology companies.
There will also be significant improvements in the Garda’s technical capabilities. A decryption suite, recently purchased for about €500,000, has been installed in the bureau’s headquarters.
Personnel are still being trained on the machine which will be able to decrypt locked devices using “brute force” – namely inputting millions of passwords every hour until it finds the right one. Sources said the technology will be able to process several hundred thousand passwords every second once it is up and running.
These developments will place the Garda's cybercrime capabilities on a par with the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA), sources said.
Decryption
Separately, legislation is being planned to strengthen the Garda’s powers to intercept and decrypt messages.
It is understood Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has placed a particular focus on improving the force's cyber capabilities and using them against organised crime. Earlier this year he appointed Detective Superintendent Paul Cleary, a veteran organised crime investigator, to head the cybercrime unit.
Mr Harris has called for gardaí to be given power to legally compel suspects in child abuse imagery investigations to hand over their passwords if a warrant is obtained. Gardaí should also be given an "electronic key" to allow access to encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp, he said earlier this year.
The need for hi-tech decryption capabilities was highlighted during garda operations targeting the Kinahan organised crime group whose members used custom-made “PGP phones” which were all but impossible to hack into and automatically deleted messages after a set period of time.
In response to queries, the Garda refused to comment on its new technical capabilities except to confirm the purchase of a decryption suite.
"The Garda National Cybercrime Bureau is currently in the process of internal recruitment to recruit members with the pre-requisite skills and academic qualifications to join the existing, highly skilled team," a spokesman said.
"In 2021, An Garda Síochána intends to recruit civilian technician grade staff, to work in our digital forensics and cybercrime investigations units. This specific targeted recruitment of highly skilled civilian staff is unprecedented in its scale in AGS.
He added the Garda will also establish four cyber satellite hubs in Wexford, Cork, Galway and Mullingar. Some of the incoming staff will be deployed to these hubs but they will remain under the control of the National Cybercrime Bureau.


theirishtimes--2020-11-30--Almost 730 consultant posts vacant, say doctors

The medical manpower problem in the State ’ s hospitals is significantly worse than previously believed .
New figures show there are now nearly 730 consultant positions either vacant or unfilled on a permanent basis , according to doctors .
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association said there are now 45 per cent more unfilled senior medical specialist posts in the Irish health system than had been previously known .
It said the latest official figures produced by the Health Service Executive ’ s National Doctors Training and Planning unit this month confirm that more than a fifth of all permanent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now vacant or filled on a temporary basis by locum or agency personnel .
“ It comes as 612,000 people – 12 per cent of the Republic ’ s population – are waiting for an outpatient appointment with a consultant .
.
.
more than 255,000 have been waiting longer than a year , five times the 2014 number .
A further 75,000 people are awaiting inpatient/day-case treatment , ” said the association .
It added that of the 728 unfilled consultant posts , 554 were based in hospitals and 174 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health and palliative care sectors .
“ A total of 237 permanent consultant posts are vacant , with two of unknown status and likely vacant .
A further 406 permanent consultant posts are filled by temporary and locum consultants , with an additional 83 posts filled on an agency basis .
It was previously believed approximately 500 consultant posts were vacant or unfilled on a permanent basis.
” The new figures suggest that psychiatry and surgery are among the medical specialties affected most by the difficulties in filling posts permanently .
The association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 93 consultant surgeon positions are either vacant or filled on a temporary or agency basis .
The South/Southwest Hospital Group ( 117 ) and Saolta University Health Care Group ( 104 ) in the west of Ireland had the highest number of consultant posts vacant or filled on a temporary , locum or agency basis and among the largest waiting lists .
The University Limerick Hospitals Group has the highest percentage of its posts vacant or unfilled permanently at 29 per cent , or 52 posts , it said .
Association president Alan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Ireland ’ s ability to provide quality , timely care to patients is worsening ” .
Prof Irvine said there are more than 600,000 people requiring specialist medical treatment “ but our system is not providing the permanent specialist expertise to care for them ” .
The association has blamed pay cuts for new entrants , imposed in 2012 , for much of the cause of the current manpower difficulties .
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said last month there had been a net increase of more than 150 consultants over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,000 staff in the health service overall .

The HSE said last month there had been a net increase of more than 150 consultants over the past year. File photograph: Getty
The medical manpower problem in the State’s hospitals is significantly worse than previously believed. New figures show there are now nearly 730 consultant positions either vacant or unfilled on a permanent basis, according to doctors.
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association said there are now 45 per cent more unfilled senior medical specialist posts in the Irish health system than had been previously known.
It said the latest official figures produced by the Health Service Executive’s National Doctors Training and Planning unit this month confirm that more than a fifth of all permanent consultant posts, 728 in total, are now vacant or filled on a temporary basis by locum or agency personnel.
“It comes as 612,000 people – 12 per cent of the Republic’s population – are waiting for an outpatient appointment with a consultant . . . more than 255,000 have been waiting longer than a year, five times the 2014 number. A further 75,000 people are awaiting inpatient/day-case treatment,” said the association.
READ MORE
It added that of the 728 unfilled consultant posts, 554 were based in hospitals and 174 in the community – mainly in the mental health and palliative care sectors.
“A total of 237 permanent consultant posts are vacant, with two of unknown status and likely vacant. A further 406 permanent consultant posts are filled by temporary and locum consultants, with an additional 83 posts filled on an agency basis. It was previously believed approximately 500 consultant posts were vacant or unfilled on a permanent basis.”
The new figures suggest that psychiatry and surgery are among the medical specialties affected most by the difficulties in filling posts permanently.
Patient care ‘worsening’
The association said 153 consultant posts in psychiatry and 93 consultant surgeon positions are either vacant or filled on a temporary or agency basis.
The South/Southwest Hospital Group (117) and Saolta University Health Care Group (104) in the west of Ireland had the highest number of consultant posts vacant or filled on a temporary, locum or agency basis and among the largest waiting lists.
The University Limerick Hospitals Group has the highest percentage of its posts vacant or unfilled permanently at 29 per cent , or 52 posts, it said.
Association president Alan Irvine said the new data showed that "Ireland's ability to provide quality, timely care to patients is worsening".
Prof Irvine said there are more than 600,000 people requiring specialist medical treatment “but our system is not providing the permanent specialist expertise to care for them”.
The association has blamed pay cuts for new entrants, imposed in 2012, for much of the cause of the current manpower difficulties.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said last month there had been a net increase of more than 150 consultants over the past year and a net increase of 5,000 staff in the health service overall.


theirishtimes--2020-11-30--Coronavirus: Donnelly warns State entering ‘uncharted territory’

The State ’ s response to Covid-19 is entering “ uncharted territory ” over Christmas , with the risk that cases could grow rapidly , the Minister for Health has said .
Stephen Donnelly said both the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) and the Government were expecting the level of cases to rise from the second week in December , and that a rapid rise could lead to further measures being introduced in January .
“ However , we ’ re in uncharted territory , ” he said .
“ The combination of measures being brought in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s a unique time of year when there ’ s a lot of socialisation so the level of uncertainty is quite high from everyone.
” Mr Donnelly said the levels of the disease were higher than when restrictions were relaxed during the summer , meaning it could grow more rapidly .
“ One of the concerns we all have is we are coming out of restrictions .
Notwithstanding amazing progress , the rate is still significantly higher than when we came out of wave one , ” he told The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are already higher , the modelling suggests that rapid growth will happen much earlier this time .
“ The truth is nobody knows precisely what might be required in January , ” he said .
“ Is it possible additional measures will have to be brought in ?
If cases are in uncontrolled , rapid exponential growth in early January then obviously we would have to review the situation.
” Mr Donnelly said the Government had largely adhered to Nphet advice when deciding on reopening .
It had extended the ban on household @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen earlier in December , which should slow down the rise in cases , “ but then over the two weeks around Christmas , it ’ s hard to predict ” .
As the Government prepares to reopen hotels , retail , hairdressers , churches , gyms and museums on Tuesday , Mr Donnelly said he did not expect to introduce restrictive measures before the end of December .
Data released over the weekend suggests Ireland has outperformed much of the rest of Europe when managing the second wave of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government from Nphet argued that a three-week intervention may ultimately be needed if cases approached 400 per day .
The Department of Health confirmed a further 299 cases on Sunday , and two further deaths linked to Covid-19 .
A total of 2,052 deaths has been linked to the disease now , and a total of 72,241 infections diagnosed .
Elsewhere , documents released under Freedom of Information laws show Ministers were told before the second lockdown that further restrictions would be needed even if cases were at 100 per day after measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a meeting on October 17th argued that “ we will need further interventions but they can be shorter ” , according to the documents .
The advice , given during a meeting of senior Ministers which immediately preceded the introduction of Level 5 , was based on a six-week lockdown introduced from October 9th .
It presumed that , were measures lifted on November 20th , cases would be about 100 per day and then likely grow to about 300 per day by early January , and argued that a three-week intervention @ @ @ @ @

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly: ‘Notwithstanding amazing progress, the rate is still significantly higher than when we came out of wave one.’ Photograph: Laura Hutton
The State’s response to Covid-19 is entering “uncharted territory” over Christmas, with the risk that cases could grow rapidly, the Minister for Health has said.
Stephen Donnelly said both the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) and the Government were expecting the level of cases to rise from the second week in December, and that a rapid rise could lead to further measures being introduced in January.
“However, we’re in uncharted territory,” he said. “The combination of measures being brought in combined with Christmas is new, obviously. It’s a unique time of year when there’s a lot of socialisation so the level of uncertainty is quite high from everyone.”
Mr Donnelly said the levels of the disease were higher than when restrictions were relaxed during the summer, meaning it could grow more rapidly.
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‘Rapid growth’
“One of the concerns we all have is we are coming out of restrictions. Notwithstanding amazing progress, the rate is still significantly higher than when we came out of wave one,” he told The Irish Times. “Because the cases are already higher, the modelling suggests that rapid growth will happen much earlier this time.
“The truth is nobody knows precisely what might be required in January,” he said. “Is it possible additional measures will have to be brought in? If cases are in uncontrolled, rapid exponential growth in early January then obviously we would have to review the situation.”
On Covid-19 vaccines, Mr Donnelly said they could be made available to Irish residents early in the New Year. The second meeting of the Government’s Covid-19 vaccination task force takes place on Monday.
Mr Donnelly said the Government had largely adhered to Nphet advice when deciding on reopening. It had extended the ban on household restrictions in order to allow for hospitality to reopen earlier in December, which should slow down the rise in cases, “but then over the two weeks around Christmas, it’s hard to predict”.
As the Government prepares to reopen hotels, retail, hairdressers, churches, gyms and museums on Tuesday, Mr Donnelly said he did not expect to introduce restrictive measures before the end of December. Data released over the weekend suggests Ireland has outperformed much of the rest of Europe when managing the second wave of the virus.
Intervention needed
The most recent advice to the Government from Nphet argued that a three-week intervention may ultimately be needed if cases approached 400 per day.
The Department of Health confirmed a further 299 cases on Sunday, and two further deaths linked to Covid-19. A total of 2,052 deaths has been linked to the disease now, and a total of 72,241 infections diagnosed.
Elsewhere, documents released under Freedom of Information laws show Ministers were told before the second lockdown that further restrictions would be needed even if cases were at 100 per day after measures were lifted.
Modelling by Nphet shown during a meeting on October 17th argued that “we will need further interventions but they can be shorter”, according to the documents. The advice, given during a meeting of senior Ministers which immediately preceded the introduction of Level 5, was based on a six-week lockdown introduced from October 9th.
It presumed that, were measures lifted on November 20th, cases would be about 100 per day and then likely grow to about 300 per day by early January, and argued that a three-week intervention may then be needed.


theirishtimes--2020-11-30--Dublin docklands residents urge refusal of 15-storey social housing tower

A proposal to build a 50m tower in Dublin ’ s docklands exclusively for social housing is disingenuous and “ contaminates the concept of fairness ” , local residents have said .
Melvin Properties wants to build a 15-storey apartment block at York Road on the south Liffey quays close to the East Link Bridge .
In September Dublin City Council refused permission for the block , which it said would be “ overbearing ” and “ visually incongruous ” due to its height .
The company has appealed the council ’ s decision to An Bord Pleanála and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scheme would be offered to the council for use for social housing .
The council ’ s head of housing Brendan Kenny said the council would be interested in acquiring a lease on the building “ for exclusive and long-term use ” for social housing , if the planning board granted permission .
However , Ringsend residents have urged the board to refuse permission , and pointed out that the developers had intended to have no social housing in the apartment block when they made their application to the council .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the homes in any development of 10 or more apartments or houses must be sold to the local authority for social housing .
However , there are exemptions for sites that are under 0.1 of a hectare .
The York Road scheme , despite being almost 50m tall , was proposed for a 0.073 hectare site , so could remain exclusively private .
Including the social housing offer in the firm ’ s appeal to the board “ has been set up to appear an altruistic gesture for the city , ” Shay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group said .
“ However , it is intended to mask the fact that the appropriate social housing provisions should have been made as part of the previous applications , ” he said .
Before the 15-storey building was refused by the council , Melvin Properties had been granted permission for a seven-storey block on the same site , for which it was granted an exemption from social housing .
The company said it had “ taken cognisance ” of the concerns in relation to the lack of social housing and approached the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for the entire block to be used for social housing .
However , Mr Connolly said doing this after the planning application had been determined by the council , excluded the community from the process .
“ This revised proposal contaminates the concept of fairness and due process by denying residents , the public and the community its rights under planning legislation , undermining the principals of transparency , public participation and natural justice , ” he said .
“ At no stage throughout the entire planning process did the applicant seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the appropriate mix of social housing at 10 per cent or above.
” He added there was no guarantee the block would be used for social housing if permission was granted .
Mr Kenny said any social housing agreement with the developers would be subject to negotiations on price .

Melvin Properties wants to build a 15-storey apartment block at York Road on the south Liffey quays close to the East Link Bridge.
A proposal to build a 50m tower in Dublin’s docklands exclusively for social housing is disingenuous and “contaminates the concept of fairness”, local residents have said.
Melvin Properties wants to build a 15-storey apartment block at York Road on the south Liffey quays close to the East Link Bridge. In September Dublin City Council refused permission for the block, which it said would be "overbearing" and "visually incongruous" due to its height.
The company has appealed the council's decision to An Bord Pleanála and said if built, all 48 apartments in the scheme would be offered to the council for use for social housing.
The council's head of housing Brendan Kenny said the council would be interested in acquiring a lease on the building "for exclusive and long-term use" for social housing, if the planning board granted permission.
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However, Ringsend residents have urged the board to refuse permission, and pointed out that the developers had intended to have no social housing in the apartment block when they made their application to the council.
Under planning rules, 10 per cent of the homes in any development of 10 or more apartments or houses must be sold to the local authority for social housing. However, there are exemptions for sites that are under 0.1 of a hectare. The York Road scheme, despite being almost 50m tall, was proposed for a 0.073 hectare site, so could remain exclusively private.
‘Altruistic gesture’
Including the social housing offer in the firm’s appeal to the board “has been set up to appear an altruistic gesture for the city,” Shay Connolly of the York Road Development Community Group said. “However, it is intended to mask the fact that the appropriate social housing provisions should have been made as part of the previous applications,” he said.
Before the 15-storey building was refused by the council, Melvin Properties had been granted permission for a seven-storey block on the same site, for which it was granted an exemption from social housing.
The company said it had “taken cognisance” of the concerns in relation to the lack of social housing and approached the council and “reached agreement in principle” for the entire block to be used for social housing.
However, Mr Connolly said doing this after the planning application had been determined by the council, excluded the community from the process.
“This revised proposal contaminates the concept of fairness and due process by denying residents, the public and the community its rights under planning legislation, undermining the principals of transparency, public participation and natural justice,” he said. “At no stage throughout the entire planning process did the applicant seek to do the right thing and provide for the appropriate mix of social housing at 10 per cent or above.”
He added there was no guarantee the block would be used for social housing if permission was granted.
Mr Kenny said any social housing agreement with the developers would be subject to negotiations on price.


theirishtimes--2020-11-30--Almost 7,500 people avail of ‘Man in a Van’ grant

Almost 7,500 people have availed of the Government ’ s €1,000 so-called “ Man in a Van ” grant , new figures from the Department of Social Protection show .
Department figures show some €6.85 million has been paid out to 7,412 claimants for the once-off Enterprise Support Grant since August .
The Government extended the programme and provided another €12 million in funding in the budget in August to allow sole traders and other professions such as plumbers , carpenters , taxi drivers , tradespeople and other workers who do not pay commercial rates to get back to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Restart Grant Plus , the Government ’ s main Covid-linked business support In order to be eligible for the Enterprise Support Grant , a self-employed person must have been receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and closed their claim on or after May 18th in order to reopen their business .
Data published by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys shows some 30 per cent of claims have been paid out to those working in the transport sector , with a further 26 per cent accounted for by tradespeople and those working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Workers in the beauty industry accounted for 10 per cent of approved applications .
Almost a quarter of the grants under the scheme have been paid out to micro enterprises in the Dublin region , with the next largest geographic areas for claims being Cork and Galway .
Ms Humphreys said the grant would remain open for applications even as Level 5 restrictions were eased , and remained open for those who may currently be in receipt of PUP .
“ I recognise the importance of the Christmas period for Irish businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and self-employed people can continue to provide their essential services over the festive period and beyond , ” she said .
“ This year has presented our sole traders and self-employed people with many great and unprecedented challenges that otherwise may have caused many to cease operations for good .
It is very encouraging to see almost €7 million paid out through the grant to keep Ireland open for business and I would urge others who are still considering their business options , to check out this grant.
” Applicants for the grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have reopened a business which had been closed due to the pandemic .
The firms must also employ 10 people or less , and have an annual turnover of less than €1 million .
They must also not be eligible for the restart grant or other similar grants from other Government departments .
The department said the application form can be downloaded from the Gov.ie website and sent into an applicant ’ s local Intreo Centre .
Applications take on average two weeks to progress .

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys says the grant will remain open for applications even as Level 5 restrictions are eased. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
Almost 7,500 people have availed of the Government's €1,000 so-called "Man in a Van" grant, new figures from the Department of Social Protection show.
Department figures show some €6.85 million has been paid out to 7,412 claimants for the once-off Enterprise Support Grant since August. The Government extended the programme and provided another €12 million in funding in the budget in August to allow sole traders and other professions such as plumbers, carpenters, taxi drivers, tradespeople and other workers who do not pay commercial rates to get back to work. These workers are not eligible for the Restart Grant Plus, the Government's main Covid-linked business support
In order to be eligible for the Enterprise Support Grant, a self-employed person must have been receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and closed their claim on or after May 18th in order to reopen their business.
Data published by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys shows some 30 per cent of claims have been paid out to those working in the transport sector, with a further 26 per cent accounted for by tradespeople and those working in construction or linked sectors, or accounting. Workers in the beauty industry accounted for 10 per cent of approved applications.
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Almost a quarter of the grants under the scheme have been paid out to micro enterprises in the Dublin region, with the next largest geographic areas for claims being Cork and Galway. Ms Humphreys said the grant would remain open for applications even as Level 5 restrictions were eased, and remained open for those who may currently be in receipt of PUP.
‘Importance of Christmas period’
“I recognise the importance of the Christmas period for Irish businesses and wish to ensure our sole traders and self-employed people can continue to provide their essential services over the festive period and beyond,” she said.
"This year has presented our sole traders and self-employed people with many great and unprecedented challenges that otherwise may have caused many to cease operations for good. It is very encouraging to see almost €7 million paid out through the grant to keep Ireland open for business and I would urge others who are still considering their business options, to check out this grant."
Applicants for the grant must be tax and PRSI compliant and have reopened a business which had been closed due to the pandemic. The firms must also employ 10 people or less, and have an annual turnover of less than €1 million. They must also not be eligible for the restart grant or other similar grants from other Government departments.
The department said the application form can be downloaded from the Gov.ie website and sent into an applicant's local Intreo Centre. Applications take on average two weeks to progress.


theirishtimes--2020-11-30--Schools to receive €50m in grants for remote teaching

All primary and secondary schools are to receive grants totalling €50 million next month to ensure they have digital technology in place to provide remote learning as a Covid-19 contingency measure .
The closure of the school system earlier this year emphasised the importance of having high-quality digital learning platforms as well as access to devices among teachers and students in order to continue teaching and learning remotely .
The funding will be paid on an automatic basis to all publicly funded schools in the country in the first week of December , and may be used to buy digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other solutions .
Minister for Education Norma Foley will formally announce on Monday that the Information and Communications Technology ( ICT ) grants for schools will be paid in early December .
A total of €40 million will be issued to schools in line with previous years to support embedding digital technologies in teaching and learning .
A further €10 million in “ top-up ” funding will go towards providing for continuity of teaching and learning using digital technology as a Covid-19 -specific measure .
The size of individual grants will vary according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently they moved into new school buildings .
For example , a 500-pupil school can expect to receive a minimum of between €17,000 ( at primary ) and €23,000 ( at secondary ) .
Fee-paying schools will receive funding at 50 per cent of the rate of normal schools .
Ms Foley said the funding will allow schools to put in place robust systems to enable the use of digital technologies and also provide for remote learning .
“ Those measures can include the purchase of digital devices to loan to students and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other ICT solutions , as determined by the needs of the individual school .
It will be paid on an automatic basis to every recognised school in the country , ” she said .
She said the importance of digital learning has come into sharper focus in light of recent experiences .
“ This year ’ s extended period of school closure has served to underscore the immense value of education and its power in our children and young people ’ s lives .
Investment in education is one of this government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
This funding is the final tranche of an overall package of funding – worth €210 million – for ICT infrastructure , as provided for under a five-year digital strategy for schools 2015-2020 .
Schools opened prior to 2017 are eligible for all funding , including both the €40 million fund and the €10 million top-up funding .
Schools opened since 2017 may receive grants from the top-up funding only , as new schools and new school buildings receive once-off ICT equipment funding as part of their furniture and equipment grant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent of the rate of normal schools from the €40 million fund only .

A total of €40 million will be issued to schools to support embedding digital technologies in teaching and learning. Photograph: iStock
All primary and secondary schools are to receive grants totalling €50 million next month to ensure they have digital technology in place to provide remote learning as a Covid-19 contingency measure.
The closure of the school system earlier this year emphasised the importance of having high-quality digital learning platforms as well as access to devices among teachers and students in order to continue teaching and learning remotely.
The funding will be paid on an automatic basis to all publicly funded schools in the country in the first week of December, and may be used to buy digital devices, software, learning platforms and other solutions.
Minister for Education Norma Foley will formally announce on Monday that the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) grants for schools will be paid in early December.
READ MORE
A total of €40 million will be issued to schools in line with previous years to support embedding digital technologies in teaching and learning.
A further €10 million in “top-up” funding will go towards providing for continuity of teaching and learning using digital technology as a Covid-19 -specific measure.
The size of individual grants will vary according to the size of school and how recently they moved into new school buildings.
For example, a 500-pupil school can expect to receive a minimum of between €17,000 (at primary) and €23,000 (at secondary).
Fee-paying schools will receive funding at 50 per cent of the rate of normal schools.
Ms Foley said the funding will allow schools to put in place robust systems to enable the use of digital technologies and also provide for remote learning.
“Those measures can include the purchase of digital devices to loan to students and teachers, software, essential learning platforms and other ICT solutions, as determined by the needs of the individual school. It will be paid on an automatic basis to every recognised school in the country,” she said.
She said the importance of digital learning has come into sharper focus in light of recent experiences.
“This year’s extended period of school closure has served to underscore the immense value of education and its power in our children and young people’s lives. Investment in education is one of this government’s top priorities,” she said.
This funding is the final tranche of an overall package of funding – worth €210 million – for ICT infrastructure, as provided for under a five-year digital strategy for schools 2015-2020.
Schools opened prior to 2017 are eligible for all funding, including both the €40 million fund and the €10 million top-up funding.
Schools opened since 2017 may receive grants from the top-up funding only, as new schools and new school buildings receive once-off ICT equipment funding as part of their furniture and equipment grant.
Fee-paying schools will receive funding at 50 per cent of the rate of normal schools from the €40 million fund only.