theirishtimes--2020-09-15--Some ‘free schools’ charging enrolment fees despite ban on practice

Some schools have been charging parents up to hundreds of euro in enrolment fees despite legislation prohibiting the practice .
Between October 2019 and July 2020 , the Department of Education ’ s school governance section received more than 30 complaints from parents about schools charging admission fees in breach of the 2018 Admissions Act .
This legislation , which commenced on October 3rd , 2018 , prohibits so-called “ free schools ” – namely those in which students do not pay for tuition – from charging for enrolment or continued admission .
Clonkeen College , Oatlands College and Sancta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools in south Dublin - as well as Adamstown Castle Educate Together National School in Lucan , Co Dublin , are among those who have asked parents or guardians for non-refundable payments before children attend class .
Clonkeen requested €400 , Sancta Maria and Oatlands asked for €50 and Adamstown looked for €110 .
On foot of complaints , the department contacted a number of schools , advising them that such charges are illegal .
In several instances , schools subsequently reversed their policy .
However , as the names of the schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a Freedom of Information request , it is unclear exactly how many schools have been in contravention of the law .
“ Where the department is notified of any alleged breaches of this section of the act , [ we ] will follow up directly with the school involved , to ensure that the school is in compliance with the act , and , where deposits have been paid , that they are refunded without delay , ” the department said .
On March 19th last , the department wrote to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clonkeen College saying “ concerned parents ” had contacted it to complain that they were charged a fee as part of the admissions process .
It noted this was prohibited by law , adding : “ The department has also received a copy of a letter from the school to parents/ guardians offering a placement and requesting a payment of €400 to accompany the acceptance form , refundable upon the child being enrolled in the school.
” On March 30th Clonkeen ’ s board of management replied , telling the department it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the relevant circular .
Clonkeen has since written to parents stating that its charges were not in compliance with the Education Act and offering a full refund .
Neither Clonkeen nor Sancta Maria responded to requests for comment .
Brian Smith , chair of the board of management of Adamstown , said that their parents were being asked for a voluntary contribution , not an admission fee , and that no child had or would be denied a school place if parents did not pay .
However , he said the admissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , was “ badly worded ” and could have misled or confused parents .
The school is now writing to parents who were offered a place and did not accept , as well as the entire school community , to explain and apologise .
Oatlands said it had since updated its admissions policy , which it said was based on a template from the department ’ s website , but it did not address specific questions about the fee .
In its updated policy , a “ non-refundable… administration fee of €50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ application form.
” The department said all schools were currently in the process of revising their school admission policies for the 2021/22 school year .

On foot of complaints, the Department of Education contacted a number of schools in the non fee-paying sector, advising them that admissions charges are illegal. Photograph: iStock
Some schools have been charging parents up to hundreds of euro in enrolment fees despite legislation prohibiting the practice.
Between October 2019 and July 2020, the Department of Education’s school governance section received more than 30 complaints from parents about schools charging admission fees in breach of the 2018 Admissions Act.
This legislation, which commenced on October 3rd, 2018, prohibits so-called “free schools” – namely those in which students do not pay for tuition – from charging for enrolment or continued admission.
Clonkeen College, Oatlands College and Sancta Maria Secondary School - all non-fee-paying secondary schools in south Dublin - as well as Adamstown Castle Educate Together National School in Lucan, Co Dublin, are among those who have asked parents or guardians for non-refundable payments before children attend class. Clonkeen requested €400, Sancta Maria and Oatlands asked for €50 and Adamstown looked for €110.
READ MORE
On foot of complaints, the department contacted a number of schools, advising them that such charges are illegal. In several instances, schools subsequently reversed their policy. However, as the names of the schools were redacted by the department in response to a Freedom of Information request, it is unclear exactly how many schools have been in contravention of the law.
“Where the department is notified of any alleged breaches of this section of the act, [we] will follow up directly with the school involved, to ensure that the school is in compliance with the act, and, where deposits have been paid, that they are refunded without delay,” the department said.
On March 19th last, the department wrote to the chair of the board of management at Clonkeen College saying “concerned parents” had contacted it to complain that they were charged a fee as part of the admissions process.
It noted this was prohibited by law, adding: “The department has also received a copy of a letter from the school to parents/ guardians offering a placement and requesting a payment of €400 to accompany the acceptance form, refundable upon the child being enrolled in the school.”
On March 30th Clonkeen’s board of management replied, telling the department it was “now compliant” with the terms of the relevant circular.
Clonkeen has since written to parents stating that its charges were not in compliance with the Education Act and offering a full refund.
Neither Clonkeen nor Sancta Maria responded to requests for comment.
Brian Smith, chair of the board of management of Adamstown, said that their parents were being asked for a voluntary contribution, not an admission fee, and that no child had or would be denied a school place if parents did not pay. However, he said the admissions letter had not been revised in several years, was “badly worded” and could have misled or confused parents. The school is now writing to parents who were offered a place and did not accept, as well as the entire school community, to explain and apologise.
Oatlands said it had since updated its admissions policy, which it said was based on a template from the department’s website, but it did not address specific questions about the fee. In its updated policy, a “non-refundable… administration fee of €50 is requested with each [Oatlands] application form.”
The department said all schools were currently in the process of revising their school admission policies for the 2021/22 school year.


theirishtimes--2020-09-15--Legal challenges over Leaving Cert results must clear high bar

The Government ’ s decision to exclude from consideration how the past performance of a school should affect its students ’ Leaving Certificate results is expected to be a target of legal challenge .
There is a widespread view that an effect of this has been that students who attended schools , including grind schools , that have a track record of high achievement have had their results unfairly downgraded .
A case taken on behalf of such a student is expected in the High Court as early as this week , but a lot of detail and a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judge if the challenge is to cross its first hurdle .
In applications for a judicial review , the applicant has to first convince the court that they have standing in the matter – in other words , that it directly affects them – and that they have an arguable case .
While this step can sometimes be taken on a one-side-only basis , with only the arguments from the applicant being heard , it is open to the judge to invite the Department of Education to also address the court at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be looking for a lot of hard data , ” says Brian Gill of Callan Tansey solicitors , who is examining the topic because some students and their families have been in contact with him wondering if they could take a case .
“ The legal test is high.
” Among the issues that may have to be considered by the court would be the extent to which any unfairness that may have occurred is unlawful , given the conditions in which the exam result process was devised .
Also , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student from a particular grind school , or fee-paying school , or other type of school with a history of strong outcomes , was unfairly treated because of the way the system was devised , might raise questions as to how sensitive the system had to be , to all schools and students , if it was not going to create individual instances of apparent unfairness .
The judge hearing the case is likely to have to consider in great detail how the algorithms used by the department affected different categories of students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review all this while bearing in mind the law in relation to the common good .
In judicial review decisions , the remedies that are available to the court are discretionary , meaning the details of the particular case , and the consequences of any particular decision , can feed into very particular rulings that may or may not have a more general effect .
It is difficult at this stage to see how any ruling that would have an effect beyond the instance of the student before the court could be devised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results process .

The Government’s decision to exclude from consideration how the past performance of a school should affect its students’ Leaving Certificate results is expected to be a target of legal challenge.
There is a widespread view that an effect of this has been that students who attended schools, including grind schools, that have a track record of high achievement have had their results unfairly downgraded.
A case taken on behalf of such a student is expected in the High Court as early as this week, but a lot of detail and a strong case will have to be presented to the judge if the challenge is to cross its first hurdle.
In applications for a judicial review, the applicant has to first convince the court that they have standing in the matter – in other words, that it directly affects them – and that they have an arguable case.
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While this step can sometimes be taken on a one-side-only basis, with only the arguments from the applicant being heard, it is open to the judge to invite the Department of Education to also address the court at this early stage.
"The courts will be looking for a lot of hard data," says Brian Gill of Callan Tansey solicitors, who is examining the topic because some students and their families have been in contact with him wondering if they could take a case. "The legal test is high."
Apparent unfairness
Among the issues that may have to be considered by the court would be the extent to which any unfairness that may have occurred is unlawful, given the conditions in which the exam result process was devised.
Also, when examined closely, the argument that a student from a particular grind school, or fee-paying school, or other type of school with a history of strong outcomes, was unfairly treated because of the way the system was devised, might raise questions as to how sensitive the system had to be, to all schools and students, if it was not going to create individual instances of apparent unfairness.
The judge hearing the case is likely to have to consider in great detail how the algorithms used by the department affected different categories of students and different categories of schools, and review all this while bearing in mind the law in relation to the common good.
In judicial review decisions, the remedies that are available to the court are discretionary, meaning the details of the particular case, and the consequences of any particular decision, can feed into very particular rulings that may or may not have a more general effect.
It is difficult at this stage to see how any ruling that would have an effect beyond the instance of the student before the court could be devised without threatening the whole 2020 Leaving Cert results process.


theirishtimes--2020-09-15--Dublin faces extra restrictions including delay on pubs reopening due to fears over cases surge

The Government will decide this morning if it will escalate the alert level of Dublin above the rest of the State under its new medium-term Living with Covid-19 five-level plan , as serious concerns continue about the rates of infection in the capital .
At issue is whether to keep it at the second-most benign level of the five-level plan , Level 2 , despite the number of cases increasing twentyfold in the course of a month in the capital , or to raise it to Level 3 .
However , if it is kept at Level 2 , Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be subject to additional restrictions including a delay in the reopening of wet pubs from the scheduled September 21st date , as well as a new measure which will say members of only one household will be allowed to visit another home .
It is also understood stopping all visits to residential care and nursing homes is being considered .
However , the other scenario that was being discussed by senior Ministers late last night was to designate Dublin at Level 3 but to modify some of the more severe restrictions associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours of successive meetings yesterday involving the Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 and the three party leaders – Taoiseach Micheál Martin , Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan – the primary focus was on the deteriorating situation in Dublin .
“ They were long meetings , ” said a senior Government source .
“ Dublin is a serious worry.
” The source said , however , it would have been “ premature ” to assign the more serious Level 3 status to Dublin as the full analysis on the situation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ All the indications are very worrying , ” added the source .
The Cabinet is due to give its final approval to the plan this morning including additional measures for Dublin .
Yesterday , Mr Varadkar gave an indication of the impact the heightened concerns over the situation in Dublin would have on the plan .
He referred to a twentyfold increase in cases in the space of a few weeks , declaring the capital would require additional restrictions and a “ different response ” than in the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet resulted in a dramatic increase in people in hospital or ICUs or deaths , the truth is that it is probably going to head that way if we don ’ t get on top of it , ” he said .
Another 208 confirmed coronavirus cases were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) last night , including 108 in Dublin .
There were no new deaths .
The number of hospitalised patients has grown from 36 to 60 since the start of the month , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six to 11 .
The incidence of Covid-19 in two areas of Dublin has risen above the 100 mark per 100,000 population for the first time since the spring , new figures show .
The 14-day incidence of the virus now stands at 107.5 per 100,000 people in Dublin South East and 116 in Dublin North West , according to the latest epidemiological report from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) .
Separately , the period for which people with Covid-19 are required to isolate is being cut from 14 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients who test positive are being advised to self-isolate for “ a minimum of 10 days ” from the onset of symptoms .
Meanwhile , Licensed Vintners ’ Association chief executive Donall O ’ Keeffe said it would be “ unbelievable ” for the reopening of non-food Dublin pubs to be further delayed past September 21st .

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar speaks to the media during a tour of the K-Leisure facility in Naas, Co Kildare on Monday. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
The Government will decide this morning if it will escalate the alert level of Dublin above the rest of the State under its new medium-term Living with Covid-19 five-level plan, as serious concerns continue about the rates of infection in the capital.
At issue is whether to keep it at the second-most benign level of the five-level plan, Level 2, despite the number of cases increasing twentyfold in the course of a month in the capital, or to raise it to Level 3.
However, if it is kept at Level 2, Dublin’s population of 1.4 million people will be subject to additional restrictions including a delay in the reopening of wet pubs from the scheduled September 21st date, as well as a new measure which will say members of only one household will be allowed to visit another home. It is also understood stopping all visits to residential care and nursing homes is being considered.
Hospital Report
However, the other scenario that was being discussed by senior Ministers late last night was to designate Dublin at Level 3 but to modify some of the more severe restrictions associated with the elevated level.
READ MORE
In five hours of successive meetings yesterday involving the Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 and the three party leaders – Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan – the primary focus was on the deteriorating situation in Dublin.
“They were long meetings,” said a senior Government source. “Dublin is a serious worry.”
The source said, however, it would have been “premature” to assign the more serious Level 3 status to Dublin as the full analysis on the situation in the capital has not yet been done.
“All the indications are very worrying,” added the source.
The Cabinet is due to give its final approval to the plan this morning including additional measures for Dublin.
Heightened concerns
Yesterday, Mr Varadkar gave an indication of the impact the heightened concerns over the situation in Dublin would have on the plan. He referred to a twentyfold increase in cases in the space of a few weeks, declaring the capital would require additional restrictions and a “different response” than in the rest of the country.
“While that has not yet resulted in a dramatic increase in people in hospital or ICUs or deaths, the truth is that it is probably going to head that way if we don’t get on top of it,” he said.
Hospitalised patients
Another 208 confirmed coronavirus cases were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) last night, including 108 in Dublin. There were no new deaths.
The number of hospitalised patients has grown from 36 to 60 since the start of the month, while the number in intensive care has increased from six to 11.
The incidence of Covid-19 in two areas of Dublin has risen above the 100 mark per 100,000 population for the first time since the spring, new figures show.
The 14-day incidence of the virus now stands at 107.5 per 100,000 people in Dublin South East and 116 in Dublin North West, according to the latest epidemiological report from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
Separately, the period for which people with Covid-19 are required to isolate is being cut from 14 days to 10.
Under new guidelines, patients who test positive are being advised to self-isolate for “a minimum of 10 days” from the onset of symptoms.
Meanwhile, Licensed Vintners’ Association chief executive Donall O’Keeffe said it would be “unbelievable” for the reopening of non-food Dublin pubs to be further delayed past September 21st.


theirishtimes--2020-09-15--Teenager accused of murder in Dublin park says he acted in ‘fear’

A teenager accused of murder acted in fear during a “ terrifying brawl ” in a Dundrum park in South Dublin after seeing his friend being being beaten and kicked on the ground , a barrister has told the Central Criminal Court .
Michael Bowman SC said the 17-year-old accused , who can not be named , said his client believed he was acting in self-defence and should be found guilty of manslaughter and not murder .
A fight had “ spiralled out of control ” because of youthful male posturing , fear , adrenaline , immaturity and lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but principally the accused , said Mr Bowman .
However , James Dwyer SC , for the prosecution , said the boy showed a “ clear intent ” to kill or cause serious harm when he stabbed Azzam Raguragui ( 18 ) in the chest and back .
His behaviour , counsel said , before , during and after showed a “ clear intent ” .
His statement to the Garda was a “ hastily prepared work of fiction that does not hold up to even the slightest scrutiny ” , the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to manslaughter but not guilty to the murder of Mr Raguragui at Finsbury Park , Dundrum , Dublin 14 on May 10th , 2019 .

A teenager accused of murder acted in fear during a "terrifying brawl" in a Dundrum park in South Dublin after seeing his friend being being beaten and kicked on the ground, a barrister has told the Central Criminal Court.
Michael Bowman SC said the 17-year-old accused, who cannot be named, said his client believed he was acting in self-defence and should be found guilty of manslaughter and not murder.
A fight had "spiralled out of control" because of youthful male posturing, fear, adrenaline, immaturity and lack of judgement by a lot of people, but principally the accused, said Mr Bowman.
However, James Dwyer SC, for the prosecution, said the boy showed a “clear intent” to kill or cause serious harm when he stabbed Azzam Raguragui (18) in the chest and back.
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His behaviour, counsel said, before, during and after showed a “clear intent”. His statement to the Garda was a “hastily prepared work of fiction that does not hold up to even the slightest scrutiny”, the court heard.
The accused has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to the murder of Mr Raguragui at Finsbury Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14 on May 10th, 2019.


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--Climate predictions for Ireland by 2050 come with unprecedented detail

The likely consequences of climate disruption on Ireland have been evident for many years – with some studies suggesting that apart from increased extreme weather events and some elevation in temperature , the country might escape the colossal impacts set for other parts of the world .
The Irish Centre for High-End Computing ( ICHEC ) has , however , used a supercomputer to analyse vast amount of climate data , and its findings undermine that comfortable perspective .
Not only is temperature rise by mid-century – less than 30 years away – predicted to be significant with far reaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how we live , it is likely to come with significant regional variations .
The analysis used the national supercomputer based in Waterford Institute of Technology known as “ Kay ” .
It indicates that by mid-century ( 2041-2060 ) : – Temperatures are projected to increase by 1 to 1.6 degrees compared with a baseline period of 1981-2000 , with the largest increases in the east ; – Warming will be enhanced “ at the extremes ” ( ie on hot days and cold nights ) with summer daytime and winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 2.4 degrees ; – “ The precipitation climate ” will become more variable , with substantial projected increases in occurrence of both dry periods and heavy rain events ; – The length of the growing season is projected to increase by between 12 per cent and 16 per cent .
ICHEC climate scientist and project lead Dr Paul Nolan ran a range of models in the form of “ an ensemble of regional climate models ” on Kay to generate “ high-resolution climate projection data ” which allowed for a more detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of climate change – global trends were also factored in and a range of carbon emissions scenarios .
The exercise divided the country into blocks of 4km by 4km , and enabled a “ high resolution ” evaluation to be generated of what is likely to happen in each area ; “ the first systematic study of this kind at this scale ” .
Up to now broad comparisons were in most instances only possible with any reasonable degree of accuracy .
ICHEC environmental programme manager Alastair McKinstry said the climate projections can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to , the adverse effects of climate change at regional level like planning for flooding or drought .
The projections also indicate likely heating/cooling demand in buildings and what solar energy resources may be realised by mid-century .
The remarkable detail is revealed by Kay ’ s wind projections .
Wind occurring at 120 metres – the height of a standard wind turbine – will decrease , notably in summer , it finds .
Whereas increased wind at 10 metres – closer to the surface – is likely to exacerbate sea level rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The temperature effects will have significant impact on biodiversity including insect life .
With less frost , for instance , “ more insects will survive the winter , which is of concern ” , Mr McKinstry explained .
That is likely to translate into bigger populations of mosquitos and disease-carrying ticks.While 45 extra growing days a year are predicted , farmers will have to also contend with wetter winters .
ICHEC director Jean-Christophe Desplat said the research commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency and carried out with Met Éireann and the Marine Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was put in place to analyse large volumes of complex data and provide intelligent solutions that deliver effective policy change .
Kay was built in 2018 .

According to the research, wind occurring at 120m – the height of a standard wind turbine – will decrease, notably in summer. Photograph: Mat Fascione/Geograph.org.
The likely consequences of climate disruption on Ireland have been evident for many years – with some studies suggesting that apart from increased extreme weather events and some elevation in temperature, the country might escape the colossal impacts set for other parts of the world.
The Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) has, however, used a supercomputer to analyse vast amount of climate data, and its findings undermine that comfortable perspective.
Not only is temperature rise by mid-century – less than 30 years away – predicted to be significant with far reaching consequences across all sectors of the economy and how we live, it is likely to come with significant regional variations.
The analysis used the national supercomputer based in Waterford Institute of Technology known as "Kay".
READ MORE
It indicates that by mid-century (2041-2060):
– Temperatures are projected to increase by 1 to 1.6 degrees compared with a baseline period of 1981-2000, with the largest increases in the east;
– Warming will be enhanced “at the extremes” (ie on hot days and cold nights) with summer daytime and winter night-time temperatures projected to increase by up to 2.4 degrees;
– “The precipitation climate” will become more variable, with substantial projected increases in occurrence of both dry periods and heavy rain events;
– The length of the growing season is projected to increase by between 12 per cent and 16 per cent.
ICHEC climate scientist and project lead Dr Paul Nolan ran a range of models in the form of "an ensemble of regional climate models" on Kay to generate "high-resolution climate projection data" which allowed for a more detailed assessment of potential regional and local effects of climate change – global trends were also factored in and a range of carbon emissions scenarios.
Average temperature increases in degrees Celsius predicted for Ireland by 2050, 2070 and 2100.
The exercise divided the country into blocks of 4km by 4km, and enabled a “high resolution” evaluation to be generated of what is likely to happen in each area; “the first systematic study of this kind at this scale”. Up to now broad comparisons were in most instances only possible with any reasonable degree of accuracy.
ICHEC environmental programme manager Alastair McKinstry said the climate projections can assist in planning for, and adapting to, the adverse effects of climate change at regional level like planning for flooding or drought.
The projections also indicate likely heating/cooling demand in buildings and what solar energy resources may be realised by mid-century.
The remarkable detail is revealed by Kay’s wind projections. Wind occurring at 120 metres – the height of a standard wind turbine – will decrease, notably in summer, it finds. Whereas increased wind at 10 metres – closer to the surface – is likely to exacerbate sea level rise and storm surge in coastal locations.
The temperature effects will have significant impact on biodiversity including insect life. With less frost, for instance, “more insects will survive the winter, which is of concern”, Mr McKinstry explained. That is likely to translate into bigger populations of mosquitos and disease-carrying ticks.While 45 extra growing days a year are predicted, farmers will have to also contend with wetter winters.
ICHEC director Jean-Christophe Desplat said the research commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency and carried out with Met Éireann and the Marine Institute would inform national climate policy.
ICHEC was put in place to analyse large volumes of complex data and provide intelligent solutions that deliver effective policy change. Kay was built in 2018.


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--Irish climate projected to change dramatically by 2050

Ireland ’ s climate is likely to change dramatically by 2050 , with the eastern region worst affected by higher temperatures , according to the most detailed projections ever generated for the country .
The analysis , generated by a supercomputer , indicates Irish temperatures are set to increase by up to 1.6 degrees due to climate change compared with the 1981-2000 period .
The key Paris Agreement target is to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels this century , and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ enhanced warming in the east ” and more extreme weather events across the whole of the country by midcentury , the Irish Centre for High-End Computing predicts .
It says the growing season will be extended by 45 days a year , which has immense implications for agriculture , both from a positive and negative perspective .
It will enable diversification in crop production but will also increase the threat of pests , while wetter winters will hamper farming activity , according to the team who conducted the advanced computer modelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decreases of approximately 50 per cent are projected in the number of frost and ice days ” , and a similar reduction in snowfall .
Summer heatwaves are expected to occur more frequently .
The projections provide unprecedented detail on regional climate impacts , with the south expected to become most vulnerable to heatwaves .
All regions will experience more extreme rain driven by a warming world – and yet more dry spells .
The analysis , which also factored in global data , was conducted using the national supercomputer at Waterford Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish Centre for High-End Computing is based at NUI Galway and at Grand Canal Quay in Dublin .
“ The models show that the effects of climate change will not be evenly spread across Ireland ; the east for example , will see higher overall temperature increases than the west , ” said climate scientist and project lead Dr Paul Nolan .
“ The fine detail of the models results in a more accurate representation of the climate , and in particular , extreme events such as heavy rainfall , droughts and heatwaves.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager , Alastair McKinstry , added : “ Ireland ’ s climate is changing , our models indicate this is resulting in higher temperatures , changing precipitation patterns and increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events , with these changes expected to continue and intensify into the future.
” The data was sufficiently detailed to indicate how different sectors covering agriculture , health , energy , flooding , water management , biodiversity and transport are likely to be affected in different ways , he said .
The study was funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Met Éireann and the Marine Institute .
It will inform Government policy over coming decades across many sectors , but particularly in climate action – by way of reducing carbon emissions fuelling global heating , and scaling up adaptation measures to counter its inevitable consequences .

Ireland’s climate is likely to change dramatically by 2050, with the eastern region worst affected by higher temperatures, according to the most detailed projections ever generated for the country.
The analysis, generated by a supercomputer, indicates Irish temperatures are set to increase by up to 1.6 degrees due to climate change compared with the 1981-2000 period.
The key Paris Agreement target is to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels this century, and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees to avoid runaway climate change.
There will be "enhanced warming in the east" and more extreme weather events across the whole of the country by midcentury, the Irish Centre for High-End Computing predicts.
READ MORE
It says the growing season will be extended by 45 days a year, which has immense implications for agriculture, both from a positive and negative perspective. It will enable diversification in crop production but will also increase the threat of pests, while wetter winters will hamper farming activity, according to the team who conducted the advanced computer modelling exercise.
Average temperature increases in degrees Celsius predicted for Ireland by 2050, 2070 and 2100.
The report indicates “substantial decreases of approximately 50 per cent are projected in the number of frost and ice days”, and a similar reduction in snowfall. Summer heatwaves are expected to occur more frequently.
The projections provide unprecedented detail on regional climate impacts, with the south expected to become most vulnerable to heatwaves. All regions will experience more extreme rain driven by a warming world – and yet more dry spells.
Uneven spread
The analysis, which also factored in global data, was conducted using the national supercomputer at Waterford Institute of Technology known as Kay. The Irish Centre for High-End Computing is based at NUI Galway and at Grand Canal Quay in Dublin.
"The models show that the effects of climate change will not be evenly spread across Ireland; the east for example, will see higher overall temperature increases than the west," said climate scientist and project lead Dr Paul Nolan.
“The fine detail of the models results in a more accurate representation of the climate, and in particular, extreme events such as heavy rainfall, droughts and heatwaves.”
The centre’s environmental programme manager, Alastair McKinstry, added: “Ireland’s climate is changing, our models indicate this is resulting in higher temperatures, changing precipitation patterns and increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, with these changes expected to continue and intensify into the future.”
The data was sufficiently detailed to indicate how different sectors covering agriculture, health, energy, flooding, water management, biodiversity and transport are likely to be affected in different ways, he said.
The study was funded by the Environmental Protection Agency with support from Met Éireann and the Marine Institute. It will inform Government policy over coming decades across many sectors, but particularly in climate action – by way of reducing carbon emissions fuelling global heating, and scaling up adaptation measures to counter its inevitable consequences.


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--More than half of young people ‘confused’ about sexual consent - report

More than half of young people are “ confused ” about sexual consent and more than a quarter are getting their information on it online , including by watching pornography a survey published on Friday indicates .
The report , Consent and the Youth Sector : What Do We Know ?
is published by the National Youth Council of Ireland , in conjunction with the HSE and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs .
It examines youth workers ’ experiences of talking to young people about consent drawing on data from 255 online respondents and five focus-groups with 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Over 58 per cent stated that many of the young people they work with do not understand what the term consent means as well as some of the language used in relation to consent , ” says the report .
Confusion centres around whether or not consent is implied simply by being in a relationship ; or consent can be withdrawn during sexual activity ; if consent must be verbalised , and if consent is about sex only or other aspects of relationships .
“ There was also a lack of confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to communicate their preferences in relation to sexual activity .
Some young people felt peer pressured to engage in sexual activity and [ CONCERN ABOUT ] this is impacting on their ability to address the concept of consent.
” Confidence and communication issues were noted by almost a quarter ( 23 per cent ) .
“ Some said that some young people ‘ wouldn ’ t have the confidence to talk about it first in a relationship ’ .
” They said young people could be confused about how or when to ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having the language .
“ The fear of saying ‘ No ’ was also mentioned as were the repercussions of this which included being judged , name-called and feeling or fearing rejection.
” One worker commented : “ If they ( young people ) didn ’ t want to do anything they would be seen as a frigid and it was more important to put the other person ’ s needs before their own.
” This was particularly a pressure felt by young women .
Sources for learning about consent included peers ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 34 per cent ) , schools ( 29 per cent ) , online sites including pornography ( 27 per cent ) as well as youth organisations and family .
Concerns in the report about peers being the main source of information included likely inaccuracies and the risk of associated peer pressure .

Over 58 per cent stated that many of the young people they work with do not understand what the term consent means as well as some of the language used in relation to consent. Photograph: iStock
More than half of young people are “confused” about sexual consent and more than a quarter are getting their information on it online, including by watching pornography a survey published on Friday indicates.
The report, Consent and the Youth Sector: What Do We Know? is published by the National Youth Council of Ireland, in conjunction with the HSE and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. It examines youth workers' experiences of talking to young people about consent drawing on data from 255 online respondents and five focus-groups with 29 people working in the youth sector.
“Over 58 per cent stated that many of the young people they work with do not understand what the term consent means as well as some of the language used in relation to consent,” says the report.
Confusion centres around whether or not consent is implied simply by being in a relationship; or consent can be withdrawn during sexual activity; if consent must be verbalised, and if consent is about sex only or other aspects of relationships.
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“There was also a lack of confidence on the part of some young people to communicate their preferences in relation to sexual activity. Some young people felt peer pressured to engage in sexual activity and [CONCERN ABOUT]this is impacting on their ability to address the concept of consent.”
Confidence and communication issues were noted by almost a quarter (23 per cent).
“Some said that some young people ‘wouldn’t have the confidence to talk about it first in a relationship’.” They said young people could be confused about how or when to ask for consent, citing shyness or not having the language.
“The fear of saying ‘No’ was also mentioned as were the repercussions of this which included being judged, name-called and feeling or fearing rejection.”
One worker commented: “If they (young people) didn’t want to do anything they would be seen as a frigid and it was more important to put the other person’s needs before their own.” This was particularly a pressure felt by young women.
Sources for learning about consent included peers (60 per cent), media (34 per cent), schools (29 per cent), online sites including pornography (27 per cent) as well as youth organisations and family. Concerns in the report about peers being the main source of information included likely inaccuracies and the risk of associated peer pressure.


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--‘I felt like I was just an incubator for Tusla’

There were more than 100 instances of babies being removed from their mothers last year , with almost a quarter of them in the Limerick and Cork areas .
Figures from the child and family agency Tusla show there were 123 “ admissions into care … for children aged under one year of age ” in 2019 .
Some of these may have involved babies removed from their mothers more than once in their first year .
The highest number of removals were in Cork , where there were 15 ; and Limerick , Clare and north Tipperary , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 for all of south Dublin city and county , Wicklow and west Kildare .
A further 12 were removed in north Dublin city and county .
No babies were taken into care in Dublin central .
In all , 14 were removed in each of the midlands and in the Waterford-Wexford areas ; 10 in each of Louth-Meath and Galway-Roscommon ; six in Carlow-Kilkenny-south Tipperary , and five in Donegal .
Barbara Scanlon , spokeswoman of ABC ( Alliance of Birthmothers Campaigning for Justice ) , a newly formed support group for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is concerned about the apparent disparities , describing the numbers in Limerick and Cork as “ huge ” .
She said she had been struck since ABC was formed last year by the higher numbers of women contacting the group from Munster .
“ There are huge inconsistencies around the country and even within areas , as to how social workers do their work .
For vulnerable mothers it is very dependent on where you live and what social worker you get.
” The majority of the more than 300 mothers ABC has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in contact with Tusla for support .
“ My huge concern is there is too often a lack of effective support for these mothers , ” said Ms Scanlon .
“ The stated Tusla policy is that removal of a baby is the last , last resort but on so many occasions there is no real plan in place to help them keep their babies .
In our experience there is rarely a reunification plan in place .
It is cruel.
” A Tusla spokesman said : “ The highest level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a child ’ s life when they are totally dependent on their parents for safety , food and emotional warmth and care .
Taking a child into care is always considered as the last option , and all other steps to provide safety for a child at home are considered first .
“ Steps taken by Tusla social work departments to support a mother to care for her baby include building empathetic relationships , agreeing safety goals with a mother and father and working to build a safety network around them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s safety as their primary concern .
“ There are many factors which may influence the figures in a particular area , including the population , demographic and other socio-economic factors .
“ When a child is placed in care , the parents of the child are provided with support services and are supported to address the existing concerns in order to facilitate the process of reunification .
A reunification plan requires agreement , and if a parent or mother have not been able to avail of the support or agree a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be appropriate .
“ Supports for a mother whose child is in care depend on the type of support that the mother may need and the mother ’ s insight into the need for this support.
” Suzanne ( not her real name ) had her son taken from her when he was four days old .
Tusla social workers had told her while she was pregnant they would be seeking an interim care order as soon as the baby was born .
Asked why they wanted to take her baby she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explains she had been in a violent relationship some years previously .
A child from that relationship had already been removed from her .
“ They said I wasn ’ t able to protect that child , even though I wasn ’ t with the dad any more.
” She had also broken up with the father of the baby she was carrying .
“ They said they were taking this baby because I wouldn ’ t be emotionally available to him.
” Three days after giving birth she had to attend court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sitting in the public waiting area .
It was packed because there were criminal cases on too .
I was pumping milk and haemorrhaging .
My legal aid solicitor said the case would go well for me .
But it didn ’ t. ” “ Going back to the hospital , I was heartbroken .
I was numb .
It was like being in a film ; like you ’ re not even in your own body.
” Her hospital chart was marked ‘ Tusla baby ’ .
“ I was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and out talking about me .
I wasn ’ t even allowed have my curtain closed .
I had no dignity or privacy.
” “ On the morning , they were reminding me : ‘ You know you ’ re to have him washed and dressed for 2pm .
They ’ ll be here to take him then.
’ I got him ready and then I had to hand my baby over to two social workers in training .
I felt like I was just an incubator for Tusla.
” She sees her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full care order , for two hours a week , at a shopping centre .
“ Tusla said that was enough for me to bond with him.
” She says she would be a good mother .
She says she has been offered no support , and has little hope of reuniting with her children properly until they are 18 .
She suffers with depression , anxiety and on one occasion came close to taking her own life .
“ The police had to talk me down .
If I didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a relationship with my children one day , I ’ d be gone by now.
” A Tusla spokesman said : “ There will always be a plan for continued contact with a mother or parent and this will be influenced by the child ’ s needs .
Tusla staff work collaboratively with all parents to ensure that the best interests of the child is the foremost priority when making any decisions about the child ’ s current or future welfare .
“ Family support packages are often engaged in providing emotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as referrals to and advocacy with other services such as mental health , drugs or domestic violence .
”

Tusla staff ‘work collaboratively with all parents to ensure that the best interests of the child is the foremost priority’. Photograph: Alan Betson
There were more than 100 instances of babies being removed from their mothers last year, with almost a quarter of them in the Limerick and Cork areas.
Figures from the child and family agency Tusla show there were 123 "admissions into care … for children aged under one year of age" in 2019. Some of these may have involved babies removed from their mothers more than once in their first year.
The highest number of removals were in Cork, where there were 15; and Limerick, Clare and north Tipperary, where there were 15.
These compare with 12 for all of south Dublin city and county, Wicklow and west Kildare. A further 12 were removed in north Dublin city and county. No babies were taken into care in Dublin central.
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In all, 14 were removed in each of the midlands and in the Waterford-Wexford areas; 10 in each of Louth-Meath and Galway-Roscommon; six in Carlow-Kilkenny-south Tipperary, and five in Donegal.
Barbara Scanlon, spokeswoman of ABC (Alliance of Birthmothers Campaigning for Justice), a newly formed support group for mothers with children taken into care, is concerned about the apparent disparities, describing the numbers in Limerick and Cork as "huge".
She said she had been struck since ABC was formed last year by the higher numbers of women contacting the group from Munster. "There are huge inconsistencies around the country and even within areas, as to how social workers do their work. For vulnerable mothers it is very dependent on where you live and what social worker you get."
Domestic violence
The majority of the more than 300 mothers ABC has supported have experienced domestic violence and have been in contact with Tusla for support.
“My huge concern is there is too often a lack of effective support for these mothers,” said Ms Scanlon. “The stated Tusla policy is that removal of a baby is the last, last resort but on so many occasions there is no real plan in place to help them keep their babies. In our experience there is rarely a reunification plan in place. It is cruel.”
A Tusla spokesman said: “The highest level of vulnerability is present in the early stages of a child’s life when they are totally dependent on their parents for safety, food and emotional warmth and care. Taking a child into care is always considered as the last option, and all other steps to provide safety for a child at home are considered first.
“Steps taken by Tusla social work departments to support a mother to care for her baby include building empathetic relationships, agreeing safety goals with a mother and father and working to build a safety network around them, including other adults who have the child’s safety as their primary concern.
“There are many factors which may influence the figures in a particular area, including the population, demographic and other socio-economic factors.
“When a child is placed in care, the parents of the child are provided with support services and are supported to address the existing concerns in order to facilitate the process of reunification. A reunification plan requires agreement, and if a parent or mother have not been able to avail of the support or agree a safety plan, a reunification plan may not be appropriate.
“Supports for a mother whose child is in care depend on the type of support that the mother may need and the mother’s insight into the need for this support.”
SUZANNE’S STORY: ‘I WAS HEARTBROKEN. I WAS NUMB’
Suzanne (not her real name) had her son taken from her when he was four days old.
Tusla social workers had told her while she was pregnant they would be seeking an interim care order as soon as the baby was born. Asked why they wanted to take her baby she says: “Domestic violence.”
She explains she had been in a violent relationship some years previously. A child from that relationship had already been removed from her. “They said I wasn’t able to protect that child, even though I wasn’t with the dad any more.” She had also broken up with the father of the baby she was carrying. “They said they were taking this baby because I wouldn’t be emotionally available to him.”
Three days after giving birth she had to attend court for the care application. “I was sitting in the public waiting area. It was packed because there were criminal cases on too. I was pumping milk and haemorrhaging. My legal aid solicitor said the case would go well for me. But it didn’t.”
“Going back to the hospital, I was heartbroken. I was numb. It was like being in a film; like you’re not even in your own body.”
Her hospital chart was marked ‘Tusla baby’. “I was in a public ward. People were in and out talking about me. I wasn’t even allowed have my curtain closed. I had no dignity or privacy.”
“On the morning, they were reminding me: ‘You know you’re to have him washed and dressed for 2pm. They’ll be here to take him then.’ I got him ready and then I had to hand my baby over to two social workers in training. I felt like I was just an incubator for Tusla.”
She sees her son, who is now subject of a full care order, for two hours a week, at a shopping centre. “Tusla said that was enough for me to bond with him.”
She says she would be a good mother. She says she has been offered no support, and has little hope of reuniting with her children properly until they are 18. She suffers with depression, anxiety and on one occasion came close to taking her own life. “The police had to talk me down. If I didn’t have that hope that I will have a relationship with my children one day, I’d be gone by now.”
A Tusla spokesman said: “There will always be a plan for continued contact with a mother or parent and this will be influenced by the child’s needs. Tusla staff work collaboratively with all parents to ensure that the best interests of the child is the foremost priority when making any decisions about the child’s current or future welfare.
“Family support packages are often engaged in providing emotional support and practical parenting guidance as well as referrals to and advocacy with other services such as mental health, drugs or domestic violence.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-18--Historic buildings in Ennistymon to be conserved under new traffic plan

Public consultations close on Friday on Clare County Council ’ s latest plan to deal with long-running traffic congestion in Ennistymon by building a new inner relief road bridging the River Inagh .
The council had originally planned to demolish two protected 19th-century shop buildings , Blake ’ s and Linnane ’ s at the so-called Blake ’ s Corner , until it faced pressure to back down .
The buildings featured for years in John Hinde postcards , though they fell into decay after they were bought by the council more than a decade ago , later deteriorating sharply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign group Save Ennistymon ’ s Heritage to prevent further deterioration , though a former local Fianna Fáil councillor , Richard Nagle , said they were “ falling down ” and should be demolished .
The latest plans , said the council , would “ address the serious traffic congestion issues ” faced by Ennistymon town and improve traffic capacity and road safety , “ while conserving and complementing the historic fabric of the town ” .
It includes the compulsory purchase order of a number of buildings on both sides of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car park .
Owners of the affected properties have the right to object .
Denis Vaughan , spokesman for Save Ennistymon ’ s Heritage , welcomed the latest plan , saying it would save Blake ’ s Corner , but said its buildings should now be fully restored and brought back into use .

Public consultations close on Friday on Clare County Council's latest plan to deal with long-running traffic congestion in Ennistymon by building a new inner relief road bridging the River Inagh.
The council had originally planned to demolish two protected 19th-century shop buildings, Blake’s and Linnane’s at the so-called Blake’s Corner, until it faced pressure to back down.
The buildings featured for years in John Hinde postcards, though they fell into decay after they were bought by the council more than a decade ago, later deteriorating sharply.
The council was pressured by local campaign group Save Ennistymon's Heritage to prevent further deterioration, though a former local Fianna Fáil councillor, Richard Nagle, said they were "falling down" and should be demolished.
READ MORE
The latest plans, said the council, would “address the serious traffic congestion issues” faced by Ennistymon town and improve traffic capacity and road safety, “while conserving and complementing the historic fabric of the town”.
It includes the compulsory purchase order of a number of buildings on both sides of the Inagh, including land required for a car park. Owners of the affected properties have the right to object.
Denis Vaughan, spokesman for Save Ennistymon's Heritage, welcomed the latest plan, saying it would save Blake's Corner, but said its buildings should now be fully restored and brought back into use.


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--HSE turns down request from Britain to process tests in Irish laboratories

The Health Service Executive ( HSE ) has turned down a request from Britain ’ s national health service to process tests for it in Irish laboratories .
Senior NHS executives contacted HSE chief executive Paul Reid last week seeking access to processing capacity in Irish labs , he said .
Mr Reid described the United Kingdom ’ s testing and tracing system as being “ in almost collapse ” and said it was “ shutting down ” swabbing centres .
He said he was unable to accede to the request due to the demand for processing of Irish tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community by the HSE increased by 70 per cent last week , Mr Reid told a HSE briefing on Thursday .
The service carried out its one millionth test on Wednesday .
The average end-to-end turnaround time for testing and contact tracing is currently 2.3 days , while the time from swabbing to test result is 26 hours on average .
More than 76,000 tests have been completed this week and over 8,580 contact tracing calls made .
Serial testing in meat factories has restarted after a three-day hiatus caused by a surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials said .
The positivity rate in meat plants is 0.4 per cent while in nursing homes , where serial testing is also ongoing , it is 0.2 per cent .
Serial testing in direct provision centres has begun , with one positive so far out of 500 tests performed .
Mr Reid was speaking as the latest official figures showed one more person has died of coronavirus and a further 240 cases have been confirmed .
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn pointed out that half of the cases ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was also a growing age profile among those catching the virus .
The latest figures reported on Thursday evening by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre mean the death toll in the State has risen to 1,789 .
Confirmed cases have now breached the 32,000 mark , climbing to 32,023 .
“ Act now to save lives .
Limit your contacts as much as possible , ” Dr Glynn said .
“ Assume you and those you meet are infectious , keep your distance and do your part to keep others safe.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter plan , to be published next week , would provide more detail on future bed and ICU capacity .
Asked about the resignation of Dr Martin Feeley , clinical director of Dublin Midlands Hospital Group , after he had criticised the “ draconian ” response to the virus , Mr Reid said Dr Feeley ’ s decision to resign was his own and he had not sought it .
With the number of positive cases overall increasing by 39 per cent over the past fortnight , Mr Reid said the trend in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and concerning ” .
If we stay on the current path , things “ will only get worse ” , he said .
Equally , though , it would not be good for the health service to go back to lockdown , according to Mr Reid .
There are now 73 cases in hospital including 14 in ICU , the highest level since mid-June .
Hospitals were beginning to see wards “ frozen ” due to virus cases , thereby impacting their capacity as winter approached , while some nursing homes are struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Some nursing homes have been unable to accept patients from hospital because they have cases .
Mr Reid urged people to “ take stock ” , to “ think as if you were a positive case ” , wear a mask , radically reduce their social contacts and follow public health messages as part of the national effort to curb the rise in cases .
Mr Reid said a “ stronger , unified voice ” was needed on public health messaging , as there had been “ a lot of commentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland “ can ’ t let happen ” what was currently unfolding in the hospital systems of France and Spain , he said .
The isolation centre in Citywest currently accommodates 50 people along with 74 healthcare workers , officials said .

HSE chief executive Paul Reid described the UK’s testing and tracing system as being ‘in almost collapse’ and said it was ‘shutting down’ swabbing centres. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has turned down a request from Britain's national health service to process tests for it in Irish laboratories.
Senior NHS executives contacted HSE chief executive Paul Reid last week seeking access to processing capacity in Irish labs, he said.
Mr Reid described the United Kingdom’s testing and tracing system as being “in almost collapse” and said it was “shutting down” swabbing centres.
He said he was unable to accede to the request due to the demand for processing of Irish tests.
READ MORE
The volume of testing in the community by the HSE increased by 70 per cent last week, Mr Reid told a HSE briefing on Thursday. The service carried out its one millionth test on Wednesday.
The average end-to-end turnaround time for testing and contact tracing is currently 2.3 days, while the time from swabbing to test result is 26 hours on average. More than 76,000 tests have been completed this week and over 8,580 contact tracing calls made.
Community testing
Serial testing in meat factories has restarted after a three-day hiatus caused by a surge in demand for community testing last week, officials said. The positivity rate in meat plants is 0.4 per cent while in nursing homes, where serial testing is also ongoing, it is 0.2 per cent.
Serial testing in direct provision centres has begun, with one positive so far out of 500 tests performed.
Mr Reid was speaking as the latest official figures showed one more person has died of coronavirus and a further 240 cases have been confirmed.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn pointed out that half of the cases (119) were in Dublin, while there was also a growing age profile among those catching the virus.
The latest figures reported on Thursday evening by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre mean the death toll in the State has risen to 1,789. Confirmed cases have now breached the 32,000 mark, climbing to 32,023.
“Act now to save lives. Limit your contacts as much as possible,” Dr Glynn said. “Assume you and those you meet are infectious, keep your distance and do your part to keep others safe.”
Mr Reid said the HSE’s winter plan, to be published next week, would provide more detail on future bed and ICU capacity.
Asked about the resignation of Dr Martin Feeley, clinical director of Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, after he had criticised the "draconian" response to the virus, Mr Reid said Dr Feeley's decision to resign was his own and he had not sought it.
With the number of positive cases overall increasing by 39 per cent over the past fortnight, Mr Reid said the trend in new cases was “consistent, rising and concerning”.
If we stay on the current path, things “will only get worse”, he said.
Equally, though, it would not be good for the health service to go back to lockdown, according to Mr Reid.
Struggling
There are now 73 cases in hospital including 14 in ICU, the highest level since mid-June.
Hospitals were beginning to see wards “frozen” due to virus cases, thereby impacting their capacity as winter approached, while some nursing homes are struggling to find staff, the HSE boss said.
Some nursing homes have been unable to accept patients from hospital because they have cases.
Mr Reid urged people to “take stock”, to “think as if you were a positive case”, wear a mask, radically reduce their social contacts and follow public health messages as part of the national effort to curb the rise in cases.
Mr Reid said a “stronger, unified voice” was needed on public health messaging, as there had been “a lot of commentary that gets side-tracked into side-shows”.
Ireland "can't let happen" what was currently unfolding in the hospital systems of France and Spain, he said.
The isolation centre in Citywest currently accommodates 50 people along with 74 healthcare workers, officials said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--FAI ‘will not survive financially’ without fans attending games

The Football Association of Ireland will “ not survive financially ” if fans continue to be prohibited from attending domestic and international matches due to Covid-19 , the footballing body is to tell an Oireachtas committee on Friday .
The Irish Rugby Football Union is also to warn of a significant loss in spectator income – so much so that “ the very existence of professional rugby on the island would be under significant threat in 2021 ” .
In a similar vein , the GAA is to inform the committee : “ To say that our financial predicament is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is our estimation that , in 2020 alone , there will be a €50 million hole in our finances.
” The three sporting organisations will appear before the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee ahead of Dublin ’ s expected move to Level 3 under the Government ’ s phased regulations , which would see a further curtailment of matches .
FAI interim chief executive Garry Owens is to tell the committee that League of Ireland clubs “ can not survive without fans attending games ” .
“ The harsh reality is that our association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our international and League of Ireland matches , ” he will state .
Mr Owens will state that league clubs “ almost entirely depend financially on supporters attending games ” , and he fears for their future financial viability .
“ We are now entering really dangerous territory for them if the current ban on large spectator attendances continues much longer , ” his opening statement reads .
“ I can not stress how critical it is that our fans are permitted to attend elite football games in a safe environment as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to resume , more than 1,000 Covid-19 tests had been conducted on international and League of Ireland players , all with negative results , according to Mr Owens .
As matches had safely resumed behind closed doors , “ we strongly believe that we can deliver the same standards and protocols for a safe return for our fans in significant numbers , ” Mr Owens says .
IRFU chief executive Philip Browne is to deliver a similar warning to politicians over the financial crisis facing the rugby body .
The organisation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” as a result of the restrictions on spectators attending games , he will state .
“ The absence of a clear pathway to the return of spectators , in meaningful numbers , means our perilous financial situation will continue to deteriorate at an alarming rate into 2021 , moving to an unsustainable position by third quarter of that year , ” his opening statement reads .
If those financial projections come to pass , “ the very existence of professional rugby on the island would be under significant threat in 2021 ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can admit spectators in meaningful numbers into our stadia , and return to some level approaching self-sustainability , the whole rugby infrastructure built over the last 150 years is under threat .
”

The Football Association of Ireland will "not survive financially" if fans continue to be prohibited from attending domestic and international matches due to Covid-19, the footballing body is to tell an Oireachtas committee on Friday.
The Irish Rugby Football Union is also to warn of a significant loss in spectator income – so much so that "the very existence of professional rugby on the island would be under significant threat in 2021".
In a similar vein, the GAA is to inform the committee: “To say that our financial predicament is stark would not be an overstatement. It is our estimation that, in 2020 alone, there will be a €50 million hole in our finances.”
The three sporting organisations will appear before the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee ahead of Dublin’s expected move to Level 3 under the Government’s phased regulations, which would see a further curtailment of matches.
READ MORE
FAI interim chief executive Garry Owens is to tell the committee that League of Ireland clubs "cannot survive without fans attending games".
“The harsh reality is that our association will not survive financially without fans attending our international and League of Ireland matches,” he will state.
Mr Owens will state that league clubs “almost entirely depend financially on supporters attending games”, and he fears for their future financial viability.
“We are now entering really dangerous territory for them if the current ban on large spectator attendances continues much longer,” his opening statement reads.
“I cannot stress how critical it is that our fans are permitted to attend elite football games in a safe environment as soon as possible.”
‘Safe return’
Since football matches were allowed to resume, more than 1,000 Covid-19 tests had been conducted on international and League of Ireland players, all with negative results, according to Mr Owens.
As matches had safely resumed behind closed doors, “we strongly believe that we can deliver the same standards and protocols for a safe return for our fans in significant numbers,” Mr Owens says.
IRFU chief executive Philip Browne is to deliver a similar warning to politicians over the financial crisis facing the rugby body.
The organisation is dealing with a “cash flow crisis” as a result of the restrictions on spectators attending games, he will state.
“The absence of a clear pathway to the return of spectators, in meaningful numbers, means our perilous financial situation will continue to deteriorate at an alarming rate into 2021, moving to an unsustainable position by third quarter of that year,” his opening statement reads.
If those financial projections come to pass, “the very existence of professional rugby on the island would be under significant threat in 2021”, he says.
“Until we can admit spectators in meaningful numbers into our stadia, and return to some level approaching self-sustainability, the whole rugby infrastructure built over the last 150 years is under threat.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--Tullamore GPs informed of Covid-19 cluster among golfing group

Up to 20 golfers on a holiday in the midlands have tested positive for Covid-19 prompting the HSE to issue a circular detailing their movements to GPs practising in the region .
The letter , sent out on Wednesday , explained that a group of 40 people had stayed at the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore , Co Offaly , between September 6th and 10th .
While there , they played golf at Esker Hills and another club course .
Doctors were also informed that “ some socialised in various places around the town ” , specifically identifying three pubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a “ significant Covid-19 incident ” , the letter went on to say that as many as half of the group had subsequently tested positive for the virus .
As a result , close contacts have been identified and asked to restrict their movements .
Up to 100 members of staff at the hotel where the group stayed are being screened .
“ All hotel residents , most likely from other areas of the country , will be contacted to say they have been in contact with a case and to contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid up to September 24th , ” the circular read .
In a statement , the Bridge House Hotel said the health and safety of employees and guests was it s number one priority .
“ Since reopening we have worked tirelessly to ensure a safe environment in line with the all Government public health guidance , including from the Department of Health and the HSE .
“ However , regrettably , we confirm that we have been notified by the HSE of a confirmed cluster in a group of guests who stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are working closely with and co-operating fully with the HSE .
All potential close contacts are being contacted by the HSE .
All staff members are also being tested as a precautionary measure .
“ In the interests of health and safety , we have decided to close our hotel temporarily as a further additional measure.
” Local GPs were informed that , as of Wednesday , the infection had been limited to the group in question .
The letter does not identify where they came from .
“ If , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we determine there is transmission of infection beyond this group either to staff or guests , we may contact others who have eaten in any of the restaurants or drunk at the [ hotel ] bar and ask them to contact their GP if they develop symptoms , ” it said .
“ This is likely to be a significant number of people from the Tullamore community , and you may therefore get queries.
” A HSE spokeswoman did not immediately reply to requests for comment on the content of the circular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish Times .
However , it said separately that it did not comment on individual cases .
Esker Hills proprietor Ray Molloy confirmed that 14 members of the group played the course on Monday , September 7th , but as the clubhouse was closed due to Covid restrictions , they did not consume any food or beverages and had no direct contact with any staff of the golf club .

Up to 20 golfers on a holiday in the midlands have tested positive for Covid-19 prompting the HSE to issue a circular detailing their movements to GPs practising in the region.
The letter, sent out on Wednesday, explained that a group of 40 people had stayed at the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore, Co Offaly, between September 6th and 10th.
While there, they played golf at Esker Hills and another club course.
Doctors were also informed that “some socialised in various places around the town”, specifically identifying three pubs and one restaurant.
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Describing the situation as a “significant Covid-19 incident”, the letter went on to say that as many as half of the group had subsequently tested positive for the virus.
As a result, close contacts have been identified and asked to restrict their movements. Up to 100 members of staff at the hotel where the group stayed are being screened.
“All hotel residents, most likely from other areas of the country, will be contacted to say they have been in contact with a case and to contact their GP if they develop symptoms of Covid up to September 24th,” the circular read.
In a statement, the Bridge House Hotel said the health and safety of employees and guests was it s number one priority.
“Since reopening we have worked tirelessly to ensure a safe environment in line with the all Government public health guidance, including from the Department of Health and the HSE.
“However, regrettably, we confirm that we have been notified by the HSE of a confirmed cluster in a group of guests who stayed at our hotel last week.
“We are working closely with and co-operating fully with the HSE. All potential close contacts are being contacted by the HSE. All staff members are also being tested as a precautionary measure.
“In the interests of health and safety, we have decided to close our hotel temporarily as a further additional measure.”
No direct contact
Local GPs were informed that, as of Wednesday, the infection had been limited to the group in question. The letter does not identify where they came from.
“If, from testing, new notifications and further history, we determine there is transmission of infection beyond this group either to staff or guests, we may contact others who have eaten in any of the restaurants or drunk at the [hotel] bar and ask them to contact their GP if they develop symptoms,” it said.
“This is likely to be a significant number of people from the Tullamore community, and you may therefore get queries.”
A HSE spokeswoman did not immediately reply to requests for comment on the content of the circular, which has been seen by The Irish Times. However, it said separately that it did not comment on individual cases.
Esker Hills proprietor Ray Molloy confirmed that 14 members of the group played the course on Monday, September 7th, but as the clubhouse was closed due to Covid restrictions, they did not consume any food or beverages and had no direct contact with any staff of the golf club.


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--Swimmer rescued by RNLI volunteers near Seapoint on Thursday evening

A swimmer was rescued along the south Dublin coastline on Thursday evening after getting into difficulty near Blackrock .
A lifeboat was launched at 6pm on Thursday by an RNLI volunteer doing routine equipment checks at the nearby lifeboat station after the member of public was spotted struggling in the water .
The swimmer was pulled from the water by volunteers five minutes later and found to be in a “ hypothermic state and slipping in and out of consciousness ” , said the RNLI .
The lifeboat brought the swimmer to Seapoint Beach in Monkstown while the national ambulance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rescue 116 helicopter were called to the scene to provide further medical assistance .
By the time the person was handed over to the ambulance service , the swimmer ’ s condition had started to improve , said the RNLI .
RNLI volunteer Nathan Burke , who led the rescue , said timing had been “ crucial ” and that he was “ very glad ” he was at the station when the alarm was raised .
“ The other two crew members arrived very quickly which ultimately resulted in a successful outcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This evening showed that it is very important for swimmers not to overestimate their ability and underestimate the unseen currents and cold water that make swimming in the sea in Ireland more challenging.
” Weather conditions in Blackrock and Monkstown on Thursday afternoon were “ sunny and clear with a warm breeze and a choppy sea swell ” , said the RNLI .

The swimmer was found by the RNLI to be in a ‘hypothermic state and slipping in and out of consciousness’. Photograph: RNLI
A swimmer was rescued along the south Dublin coastline on Thursday evening after getting into difficulty near Blackrock.
A lifeboat was launched at 6pm on Thursday by an RNLI volunteer doing routine equipment checks at the nearby lifeboat station after the member of public was spotted struggling in the water.
The swimmer was pulled from the water by volunteers five minutes later and found to be in a “hypothermic state and slipping in and out of consciousness”, said the RNLI.
The lifeboat brought the swimmer to Seapoint Beach in Monkstown while the national ambulance service and Irish Coast Guard's Rescue 116 helicopter were called to the scene to provide further medical assistance.
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By the time the person was handed over to the ambulance service, the swimmer’s condition had started to improve, said the RNLI.
RNLI volunteer Nathan Burke, who led the rescue, said timing had been “crucial” and that he was “very glad” he was at the station when the alarm was raised.
“The other two crew members arrived very quickly which ultimately resulted in a successful outcome,” said Mr Burke.
"This evening showed that it is very important for swimmers not to overestimate their ability and underestimate the unseen currents and cold water that make swimming in the sea in Ireland more challenging."
Weather conditions in Blackrock and Monkstown on Thursday afternoon were “sunny and clear with a warm breeze and a choppy sea swell”, said the RNLI.


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--Racist graffiti on Ha’penny Bridge and Temple Bar shop front removed by council

Racist graffiti which appeared on the Ha ’ penny Bridge and outside a Temple Bar vintage clothing store overnight on Wednesday has been removed following complaints to the council .
The writing , which was spotted on Thursday morning , was scrawled on the pavement of the famous Dublin bridge and across the shop front of Tola Vintage on Fownes Street Upper in Temple Bar .
The owner of the shop posted images of the graffiti on social media on Thursday , noting that the writing was “ all over Temple Bar this morning ” .
“ I refuse to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tola Vintage Instagram account .
“ Not good enough we need to do better.
” The graffiti was later removed from the bridge and the shop , Dublin City Council confirmed .
A Garda spokesman said gardaí were investigating a “ criminal damage incident ” that occurred at two separate locations in the Dublin 2 area in the early hours of September 17th .
Investigations into the vandalism , which is being treated as “ a possible racially motivated incident ” , are ongoing , said the spokesman .
“ An Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each and every hate crime reported to us is professionally investigated and victims supported during the criminal justice process , ” he added .
In a post on Twitter , the Irish Network Against Racism ( INAR ) called on any person who spots racist graffiti to report it to their local authority ’ s customer or environmental services or their local social housing association .
INAR also recommended that people join together to re-paint or clean graffiti and to call on local media and leaders to “ publicly condemn racism ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a local Garda station , said the INAR .

The racist graffiti was scrawled on the pavement of the Ha’penny Bridge, Dublin. File photograph: Alan Betson /The Irish Times
Racist graffiti which appeared on the Ha'penny Bridge and outside a Temple Bar vintage clothing store overnight on Wednesday has been removed following complaints to the council.
The writing, which was spotted on Thursday morning, was scrawled on the pavement of the famous Dublin bridge and across the shop front of Tola Vintage on Fownes Street Upper in Temple Bar.
The owner of the shop posted images of the graffiti on social media on Thursday, noting that the writing was “all over Temple Bar this morning”.
"I refuse to open the shops today," wrote the Tola Vintage Instagram account. "Not good enough we need to do better."
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The graffiti was later removed from the bridge and the shop, Dublin City Council confirmed.
A Garda spokesman said gardaí were investigating a “criminal damage incident” that occurred at two separate locations in the Dublin 2 area in the early hours of September 17th.
Investigations into the vandalism, which is being treated as “a possible racially motivated incident”, are ongoing, said the spokesman.
"An Garda Síochána takes hate crime seriously, and each and every hate crime reported to us is professionally investigated and victims supported during the criminal justice process," he added.
In a post on Twitter, the Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) called on any person who spots racist graffiti to report it to their local authority’s customer or environmental services or their local social housing association. INAR also recommended that people join together to re-paint or clean graffiti and to call on local media and leaders to “publicly condemn racism”.
Graffiti and offensive material can also reported to a local Garda station, said the INAR.


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--Garda allegedly shredded witness statement in murder inquiry

An internal Garda investigation is progressing into claims that a garda shredded a key witness statement in a murder investigation and perverted the course of justice .
Claims , which are being investigated by Garda Headquarters , have been heard that the garda destroyed the witness statement in a bid to protect an informant .
An internal Garda disciplinary inquiry has already found against the garda , though the individual is appealing the inquiry ’ s findings , The Irish Times understands .
A second disciplinary inquiry in the same case is still ongoing .
The garda at the centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly involved in the murder investigation , has not been suspended , and the claims against the individual remain unproven .
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission ( Gsoc ) is aware of the allegations , though a Gsoc spokesperson would only say that an investigation is ongoing and that it would make no further comment .
The victim ’ s family has made a formal complaint to Gsoc .
Replying , Gsoc said their complaint is admissible under Section 87 of the 2005 GSOC Act and it had decided that it should criminally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been assigned to the case .
The victim ’ s family have also written to the Garda Commissioner .
A Garda spokesman said : “ An Garda Síochána does not comment on operational decisions , or on internal disciplinary matters.
” In response to further questions , a spokesman replied : “ An investigation into alleged corruption or wrongdoing is continuing.
” The investigation is being led by an Assistant Commissioner , involving Special Crime Operations ( SCO ) ; the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation ( GNBCI ) ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau ( GNDOCB ) .
The victim ’ s family said they were “ stunned ” at the allegations , and were “ happy ” the claims were being investigated and that the original murder file is being reviewed .

The garda at the centre of the allegations, who was not directly involved in the murder investigation, has not been suspended, and the claims against the individual remain unproven. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
An internal Garda investigation is progressing into claims that a garda shredded a key witness statement in a murder investigation and perverted the course of justice.
Claims, which are being investigated by Garda Headquarters, have been heard that the garda destroyed the witness statement in a bid to protect an informant.
An internal Garda disciplinary inquiry has already found against the garda, though the individual is appealing the inquiry’s findings, The Irish Times understands. A second disciplinary inquiry in the same case is still ongoing.
The garda at the centre of the allegations, who was not directly involved in the murder investigation, has not been suspended, and the claims against the individual remain unproven.
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The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) is aware of the allegations, though a Gsoc spokesperson would only say that an investigation is ongoing and that it would make no further comment.
Admissable
The victim’s family has made a formal complaint to Gsoc. Replying, Gsoc said their complaint is admissible under Section 87 of the 2005 GSOC Act and it had decided that it should criminally investigated.
An investigating officer with Gsoc has been assigned to the case. The victim’s family have also written to the Garda Commissioner. A Garda spokesman said: “An Garda Síochána does not comment on operational decisions, or on internal disciplinary matters.”
In response to further questions, a spokesman replied: “An investigation into alleged corruption or wrongdoing is continuing.”
The investigation is being led by an Assistant Commissioner, involving Special Crime Operations (SCO); the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI); and the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB).
A murder investigation is “live and ongoing”.
The victim’s family said they were “stunned” at the allegations, and were “happy” the claims were being investigated and that the original murder file is being reviewed.


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--Man sets out to become first to fin-swim around Ireland

Just after lunchtime on Thursday , 56-year-old Henry O ’ Donnell pulled on his fins and walked into the sea at Carrickfin beach in Co Donegal in the hope of becoming the first person to circumnavigate the island in such fashion - a feat that could take him up to a year .
Fin-swimming , as the name suggests , involves the use of fins on the water surface , with a snorkel and mask .
O ’ Donnell will also wear a custom made triathlon suit to combat icy temperatures .
A qualified beach lifeguard , specialist diver and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effort as “ one of the most inspiring , unique and challenging marine projects ever attempted in Irish coastal waters ” .
And while that might sound a touch hyperbolic , such daring deeds are becoming the norm of the Donegal man and former member of the Irish Army ’ s Special Forces .
In 1992 , he sustained multiple , life-threatening injuries after breaking his neck during the bicycle leg of a triathlon .
However , after recovering he went on to become the first Irishman to swim the 14km around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 38km Donegal Coastal Challenge Swim in 1997 .
In 2004 , having assessed the feasibility of swimming around Ireland , he recruited five other swimmers to form the Round Ireland Swim team .
When he gets fed up with the water he looks inland .
In recent years he set off to conquer the lowest and highest points of four continents : Africa , Europe , America and Australia .
Thursday saw the father-of-six climb back into the Donegal waters for more record breaking adventures which also have a scientific element .
O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Project ( Public Health Impact of Exposure to antimicrobial Resistance in Recreational Waters ) at the National University of Ireland Galway , which aims to assess whether people regularly involved in Irish water activities are more likely to pick up and carry antibiotic resistance ( AR ) bacteria in their gut .
The FinSwim event will start and finish on Carrickfin , progressing clockwise around the coast of Ireland towards Tory Island and Malin Head .
O ’ Donnell believes it could be September of next year before he climbs out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts are aiming to raise money for both the Irish Cancer Society and Water Safety Ireland .

Just after lunchtime on Thursday, 56-year-old Henry O'Donnell pulled on his fins and walked into the sea at Carrickfin beach in Co Donegal in the hope of becoming the first person to circumnavigate the island in such fashion - a feat that could take him up to a year.
Fin-swimming, as the name suggests, involves the use of fins on the water surface, with a snorkel and mask. O’Donnell will also wear a custom made triathlon suit to combat icy temperatures.
A qualified beach lifeguard, specialist diver and swimming teacher, his FinSwim2020 website hails the effort as “one of the most inspiring, unique and challenging marine projects ever attempted in Irish coastal waters”.
And while that might sound a touch hyperbolic, such daring deeds are becoming the norm of the Donegal man and former member of the Irish Army’s Special Forces.
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In 1992, he sustained multiple, life-threatening injuries after breaking his neck during the bicycle leg of a triathlon.
However, after recovering he went on to become the first Irishman to swim the 14km around Tory Island, and later completed the 38km Donegal Coastal Challenge Swim in 1997.
In 2004, having assessed the feasibility of swimming around Ireland, he recruited five other swimmers to form the Round Ireland Swim team.
When he gets fed up with the water he looks inland. In recent years he set off to conquer the lowest and highest points of four continents: Africa, Europe, America and Australia.
Thursday saw the father-of-six climb back into the Donegal waters for more record breaking adventures which also have a scientific element.
O'Donnell is participating in the PIER Project (Public Health Impact of Exposure to antimicrobial Resistance in Recreational Waters) at the National University of Ireland Galway, which aims to assess whether people regularly involved in Irish water activities are more likely to pick up and carry antibiotic resistance (AR) bacteria in their gut.
The FinSwim event will start and finish on Carrickfin, progressing clockwise around the coast of Ireland towards Tory Island and Malin Head. O'Donnell believes it could be September of next year before he climbs out of the chop for the final time.
His efforts are aiming to raise money for both the Irish Cancer Society and Water Safety Ireland.


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--Ireland to take four children from burnt-out migrant camp in Greece

The arrival in Ireland of four unaccompanied children from the burnt-out Moria migrant camp in Greece is to be accelerated by Tusla , the child and family agency .
The children are expected to arrive from the island of Lesbos in the coming weeks .
They are among 36 children Ireland agreed in 2018 to take from Greek migrant camps as part of an EU-wide commitment .
Eight children arrived last June .
Minister for Children Roderic O ’ Gorman said Irish people “ want to see us playing our part in helping these children , and I acknowledge that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regard ” .
“ Last week , we witnessed the shocking scene of a fire destroying large sections of the Moria migrant camp in Lesbos , ” he said .
“ The fire compounded the incredibly difficult circumstances in which so many people are living.
” He had been “ actively engaging with Tusla , the Department of Justice , and the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to expediting the transfer of unaccompanied children from Greek camps ” and had “ asked that arrangements be made with Tusla to accelerate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coming weeks ” .
Mr O ’ Gorman said he was working with Tusla “ to meet our commitments to the transfer of unaccompanied children in Greece to Ireland as quickly as possible ” .

The arrival in Ireland of four unaccompanied children from the burnt-out Moria migrant camp in Greece is to be accelerated by Tusla, the child and family agency.
The children are expected to arrive from the island of Lesbos in the coming weeks. They are among 36 children Ireland agreed in 2018 to take from Greek migrant camps as part of an EU-wide commitment. Eight children arrived last June.
Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said Irish people “want to see us playing our part in helping these children, and I acknowledge that Ireland has more to do in this regard”.
“Last week, we witnessed the shocking scene of a fire destroying large sections of the Moria migrant camp in Lesbos,” he said. “The fire compounded the incredibly difficult circumstances in which so many people are living.”
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He had been “actively engaging with Tusla, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to expediting the transfer of unaccompanied children from Greek camps” and had “asked that arrangements be made with Tusla to accelerate the arrival of four more unaccompanied children in the coming weeks”.
Mr O’Gorman said he was working with Tusla “to meet our commitments to the transfer of unaccompanied children in Greece to Ireland as quickly as possible”.


theirishtimes--2020-09-17--First Chinese-born barrister called to the Bar of Ireland

History was made on Thursday morning when Fei Liang , a graduate in law from King ’ s Inns , became the first Chinese-born barrister to be called to the Bar of Ireland .
Ms Liang described becoming a barrister as a “ dream come true ” , and said she felt very proud of her achievements after many years of hard work .
“ I ’ ve had lots of difficulties along the way and there were hard times , but I don ’ t want to focus on them .
I just feel so happy seeing myself in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ born and brought up in Shanghai , and moved to Dublin in 2008 after completing her law degree in China .
She came to Ireland to improve her English skills but also to train as an accountant , graduating in 2009 with a postgraduate diploma in accounting .
She completed her Association of Chartered Certified Accountants exams in 2014 .
Meanwhile , she completed a diploma in legal studies and went on to study for a part-time two-year degree of barrister-at-law at Kings Inns while also working full time as an accountant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizen earlier this year , does not plan to practise as a barrister straight away , and wants to take time to focus on her personal life after 12 years of studying .
However , she hopes to use her legal expertise in the future to help support Ireland ’ s Chinese community .
“ China has a totally different legal system and many Chinese people misunderstand the law here .
I have seen people end up in trouble because of this and it ’ s not fair on them .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system.
” Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu was the first Irish-born person of Chinese heritage to be called to the bar in 2007 but never practised .

Fei Liang outside the Four Courts after being called to the Bar. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell
History was made on Thursday morning when Fei Liang, a graduate in law from King's Inns, became the first Chinese-born barrister to be called to the Bar of Ireland.
Ms Liang described becoming a barrister as a “dream come true”, and said she felt very proud of her achievements after many years of hard work.
“I’ve had lots of difficulties along the way and there were hard times, but I don’t want to focus on them. I just feel so happy seeing myself in the robe.”
The 35-year-old barrister was born and brought up in Shanghai, and moved to Dublin in 2008 after completing her law degree in China. She came to Ireland to improve her English skills but also to train as an accountant, graduating in 2009 with a postgraduate diploma in accounting.
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She completed her Association of Chartered Certified Accountants exams in 2014 . Meanwhile, she completed a diploma in legal studies and went on to study for a part-time two-year degree of barrister-at-law at Kings Inns while also working full time as an accountant.
Ms Liang, who became an Irish citizen earlier this year, does not plan to practise as a barrister straight away, and wants to take time to focus on her personal life after 12 years of studying. However, she hopes to use her legal expertise in the future to help support Ireland’s Chinese community.
“China has a totally different legal system and many Chinese people misunderstand the law here. I have seen people end up in trouble because of this and it’s not fair on them. I’d like to help them understand the system.”
Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu was the first Irish-born person of Chinese heritage to be called to the bar in 2007 but never practised.