theirishtimes--2020-06-08--More than 900 cars driven by unaccompanied learner drivers seized

More than 900 cars that were being driven by unaccompanied learner drivers were seized in the first four months of this year , the latest figures from An Garda Síochána show .
There are approximately 250,000 learner permit holders in the State , including almost 5,000 who have had a learner permit for more than 20 years .
It is possible for learner permit holders to have their permit repeatedly renewed , even if they repeatedly fail to turn up for their booked driving test .
The Garda figures , which were given to the road safety and victim support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of cars being seized in different parts of the State in the first four months of the year .
The Dublin region accounted for 403 of the 923 seized cars .
Cork city accounted for 44 , and Co Louth accounted for 30 .
However , there were only three cars seized in Sligo/Leitrim during the period , and counties Clare and Mayo only accounted for five each .
“ We have noticed a pattern of low numbers in some counties and it is not changing , ” said Parc ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband Stephen was killed in a road traffic collision in 2004 involving an unaccompanied learner driver .
“ Maybe there are no unaccompanied drivers in those counties .
I don ’ t know.
” The group is critical of the way learner drivers can repeatedly avoid sitting driving tests , and yet continue to be issued with extensions of their permits .
“ There are thousands of learners out there who have not sat a driving test , ” Ms Gray said .
“ They don ’ t have to turn up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see the law changed so that a learner has to sit a test before he or she can have their permit renewed .
A new law introduced in 2018 made it an offence for a learner permit holder to drive unless they were accompanied by a fully licenced driver .
A subsequent amendment allowed a vehicle driven by an unaccompanied driver to be seized .
It must then be retrieved and a €125 fee paid by its owner .
The amendment also introduced penalties for car owners who knowingly permit their vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver .
Data from the Department of Transport , Tourism and Sport shows there were 2,382 instances of penalty points being issued to learner drivers in the first four months of the year .
Of the total number of instances , 673 involved speeding offences , and 124 involved driving while holding a mobile phone .
There were 742 instances of penalty points being issued for being unaccompanied while driving with a learner permit , 62 for learners driving “ without due consideration ” , and 53 for learners not obeying a traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 120 learner drivers for driving without insurance .
The figures , released by the department to Newstalk radio , show there were 239,682 learner driver permit holders at the end of April , with approximately 45,000 of these having had a learner permit for more than five years .
The figures show that Sligo had 2,967 learner drivers , Leitrim 1,555 , Clare 5,598 , and Mayo 6,139 .
Dublin had 69,345 .
There were 4,898 learner permit holders who had a learner permit for more than 20 years .
The department was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permit holders had never sat a driving test .

It is possible for learner permit holders to have their permit repeatedly renewed. Photograph: iStock
More than 900 cars that were being driven by unaccompanied learner drivers were seized in the first four months of this year, the latest figures from An Garda Síochána show.
There are approximately 250,000 learner permit holders in the State, including almost 5,000 who have had a learner permit for more than 20 years.
It is possible for learner permit holders to have their permit repeatedly renewed, even if they repeatedly fail to turn up for their booked driving test.
The Garda figures, which were given to the road safety and victim support group Parc show a wide variation in the number of cars being seized in different parts of the State in the first four months of the year.
READ MORE
The Dublin region accounted for 403 of the 923 seized cars. Cork city accounted for 44, and Co Louth accounted for 30.
However, there were only three cars seized in Sligo/Leitrim during the period, and counties Clare and Mayo only accounted for five each.
Avoiding tests
“We have noticed a pattern of low numbers in some counties and it is not changing,” said Parc’s chair, Susan Gray, whose husband Stephen was killed in a road traffic collision in 2004 involving an unaccompanied learner driver. “Maybe there are no unaccompanied drivers in those counties. I don’t know.”
The group is critical of the way learner drivers can repeatedly avoid sitting driving tests, and yet continue to be issued with extensions of their permits.
“There are thousands of learners out there who have not sat a driving test,” Ms Gray said. “They don’t have to turn up for a test, ever.”
Parc wants to see the law changed so that a learner has to sit a test before he or she can have their permit renewed.
A new law introduced in 2018 made it an offence for a learner permit holder to drive unless they were accompanied by a fully licenced driver.
A subsequent amendment allowed a vehicle driven by an unaccompanied driver to be seized. It must then be retrieved and a €125 fee paid by its owner.
The amendment also introduced penalties for car owners who knowingly permit their vehicles to be driven by an unaccompanied learner driver.
Penalty points
Data from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport shows there were 2,382 instances of penalty points being issued to learner drivers in the first four months of the year.
Of the total number of instances, 673 involved speeding offences, and 124 involved driving while holding a mobile phone.
There were 742 instances of penalty points being issued for being unaccompanied while driving with a learner permit, 62 for learners driving “without due consideration”, and 53 for learners not obeying a traffic signal. Penalty points were issued to 120 learner drivers for driving without insurance.
The figures, released by the department to Newstalk radio, show there were 239,682 learner driver permit holders at the end of April, with approximately 45,000 of these having had a learner permit for more than five years.
The figures show that Sligo had 2,967 learner drivers, Leitrim 1,555, Clare 5,598, and Mayo 6,139. Dublin had 69,345.
There were 4,898 learner permit holders who had a learner permit for more than 20 years.
The department was not able to say how many learner permit holders had never sat a driving test.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Youth (17) due in court after teen allegedly stabbed in Cork

A teenager is due to appear in court this morning charged with an attack on another teenager who suffered serious injuries after he was allegedly slashed and stabbed in Co Cork over the weekend .
The 17-year-old youth was charged late on Sunday night by gardaí at the Bridewell Garda station with assault causing harm and robbery of the other boy at Waterpark in Carrigaline in South Cork on June 6th .
The boy , who can ’ t be named or identified because he is a juvenile , will be brought before Cork District Court and formally charged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ aged 17 and from Carrigaline , has been discharged from Cork University Hospital where he was treated for a serious slash wound to his head and a stab wound to his back .
The attack happened at around 10.25pm on June 6th when the victim was walking with his girlfriend near a green area in Waterpark in Carrigaline when they were approached by a group including the suspect .
The suspect asked the injured party for €2 to get a bus from Carrigaline back to the city and when the injured party said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was allegedlypunched in the face .
The injured party was then allegedly slashed across the head with a broken bottle and stabbed in the back .
The incident was filmed by one of the group with the assailant and posted on social media .
The video shows the injured party lying semi-conscious on the ground bleeding from a head wound .
The alarm was raised and ten Garda units including detectives and members of the Armed Support Unit responded , with members of the ASU giving first aid to the injured teenager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought to Cork University Hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries including the removal of glass fragments from his face .
He was described on Sunday as being in a stable condition and has been discharged .
Gardaí later arrested the 17-year-old suspect , who is not from Carrigaline , a short distance away from the scene of the incident and they recovered a mobile phone which had been stolen from the injured teenager .
The suspect was taken to the Bridewell Garda station where he was detained under Section 4 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being charged .
Gardaí also stopped a Bus Éireann bus in Douglas at around 11pm on Saturday night and removed four youths who had allegedly left the scene of the assault before the gardaí arrived .
The four youths , who again are understood to be all juveniles and not from Carrigaline , were arrested and searched and their names and addresses were taken before they were released without charge .
Gardaí have recovered a broken bottle which they believe was used in the assault .
Gardaí have appealed for any witnesses to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any information to come forward and contact them at Togher Garda station on ( 021 ) 494 7170 .
Gardaí are keen to speak to any road users who were travelling in the area at the time and may have camera footage ( including dash-cam ) of the assault .

The judge warned the accused that if he goes on social media and posts anything in relation to the case or has any contact with anyone involved in the case, he will be in breach of his bail and taken into custody. Photograph: iStock
A teenager has been remanded on bail and told to stay off social media after he was charged in connection with an attack on a teenager who suffered serious injuries when he was slashed and stabbed with a bottle in Co Cork
The 17-year-old accused, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile, was brought before Cork District Court on Monday afternoon where he was charged with two offences arising out of the incident in Carrigaline on Saturday.
The teenager was charged with robbery and assault causing harm to the other teenager, also aged 17, contrary to Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act at Waterpark, Carrigaline on June 6th.
Det Garda Declan Healy of Carrigaline Garda Station told the court he arrested and charged the accused with both offences at 11.47pm on June 7th and that he made no reply to the charges after caution.
READ MORE
“This case arises out of the social media incident where a video was circulated in relation to an incident at Waterpark in Carrigaline where a youth was assaulted and robbed of his mobile phone,” he said.
Det Garda Healy said gardaí had no objection to the accused being released on bail once he adhered to a number of conditions, including that he reside at a named address.
He said gardaí were seeking that he sign on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9am and 9pm at a garda station near that address.
Det Garda Healy said gardaí were also seeking that the accused stay off all intoxicants and be of sober habits, while they also wanted the accused to stay off all social media.
He said gardaí were seeking that the accused have no contact, directly or indirectly with three named friends whose names were given to the court but were not to be published.
And he said gardaí were also seeking an undertaking from the accused that he have no contact with any witnesses in the case and that he stay out of the Carrigaline, Douglas and Blackrock areas of Cork as part of his bail conditions.
Defence solicitor Eugene Murphy confirmed his client was willing to abide by all the bail terms sought by gardaí and he applied for legal aid, stating that his client was a student and was not working.
Sgt Gearoid Davis applied to have the case adjourned for the directions of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the matter to Cork Juvenile District Court on July 10th, and Judge Olann Kelleher remanded the accused on bail to appear again on that date.
Judge Kelleher warned the accused that if he goes on social media and posts anything in relation to the case, or has any contact with anyone involved in the case, he will be in breach of his bail and taken into custody.
And he also reminded the media that publication of any details identifying the accused, including the address where he must reside, the garda station where he must sign on, or the names of his friends, would be a contempt of court.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Schools begin sending calculated Leaving Cert grades

Secondary schools are due to begin sending calculated grades for more than 60,000 Leaving Cert students to the Department of Education from this week .
An online portal is due to go live from midday on Monday which will allow schools to access students ' subject levels and begin transmitting their grades .
A special unit has been established within the department to process the data provided by each school and operate national standardisation to ensure fairness .
The department will finalise grades for each student which are due to be issued as close as possible to the traditional date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by The Irish Times report that the process has gone smoothly so far .
Clive Byrne of the National Association of Principals and Deputies said the general consensus was that schools were engaging positively and professionally with the process .
“ We ’ re not getting any negative kick-back on it .
No one is saying this is ideal , but there is a crisis and everyone is getting on with it , ” he said .
He said while there were anecdotal reports of schools being contacted or pressurised by parents over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware that this had happened on any significant scale .
Mr Byrne said , however , there was some worry about accessing reliable information to provide grades for students who are taking subjects outside school , such as a minority or non-curricular language .
Under official rules in these circumstances , principals must obtain an expected grade from a student ’ s tutor outside the school , which is combined with the student ’ s in-school grades .
If this is not possible , the department has pledged to examine these students ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principals have also privately complained that a few grind schools , in particular , have been providing higher than average grades for students for subjects they are taking outside school .
Schools , meanwhile , are finalising the “ school alignment ” process where teachers work together to ensure there is a balance of accurate grades across students and classes .
The next phase involves school principals signing off on the grades , which are then sent to the department .
More than 60,000 Leaving Cert students have registered with a dedicated student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more than 98 per cent of the total of 61,029 who had been expected to sit the Leaving Cert exams in 2020 .
The department says it is continuing to engage with schools in an effort to establish why some students may not have registered on the portal .
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has said initial feedback from school management bodies and teacher unions on the operation of calculated grades has been positive , with teachers engaging in a professional manner with the process .
He also announced details of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calculated grades process .
It is chaired by Dr Áine Lawlor , former chief executive of the Teaching Council , and includes experts whose experience crosses education , governance , assessment and research .
They include Dr Peter Archer , former chief executive officer of the Educational Research Centre ; Majella O ’ Shea , former deputy chief executive of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment ; Joe Hamill , former secretary general of the Department of Arts and chair of the New Schools Establishments Group ; Justin Edwards , chief executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Curriculum , Examinations and Assessment ; and Prof Michael O ’ Leary , professor of assessment at DCU .

Leaving Cert grades are due to be issued as close as possible to the traditional date in mid-August. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien / The Irish Times
Secondary schools are due to begin sending calculated grades for more than 60,000 Leaving Cert students to the Department of Education from this week.
An online portal is due to go live from midday on Monday which will allow schools to access students' subject levels and begin transmitting their grades.
A special unit has been established within the department to process the data provided by each school and operate national standardisation to ensure fairness.
The department will finalise grades for each student which are due to be issued as close as possible to the traditional date in mid-August.
READ MORE
Most school principals contacted by The Irish Times report that the process has gone smoothly so far.
Clive Byrne of the National Association of Principals and Deputies said the general consensus was that schools were engaging positively and professionally with the process.
“We’re not getting any negative kick-back on it. No one is saying this is ideal, but there is a crisis and everyone is getting on with it,” he said.
He said while there were anecdotal reports of schools being contacted or pressurised by parents over students’ grades, he was not aware that this had happened on any significant scale.
Grind schools
Mr Byrne said, however, there was some worry about accessing reliable information to provide grades for students who are taking subjects outside school, such as a minority or non-curricular language.
Under official rules in these circumstances, principals must obtain an expected grade from a student’s tutor outside the school, which is combined with the student’s in-school grades.
If this is not possible, the department has pledged to examine these students’ grades on a case-by-case basis.
Some principals have also privately complained that a few grind schools, in particular, have been providing higher than average grades for students for subjects they are taking outside school.
Schools, meanwhile, are finalising the “school alignment” process where teachers work together to ensure there is a balance of accurate grades across students and classes.
The next phase involves school principals signing off on the grades, which are then sent to the department.
More than 60,000 Leaving Cert students have registered with a dedicated student portal to receive their grades.
This is more than 98 per cent of the total of 61,029 who had been expected to sit the Leaving Cert exams in 2020.
The department says it is continuing to engage with schools in an effort to establish why some students may not have registered on the portal.
Independent monitoring
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has said initial feedback from school management bodies and teacher unions on the operation of calculated grades has been positive, with teachers engaging in a professional manner with the process.
He also announced details of an independent monitoring committee which will oversee the calculated grades process.
It is chaired by Dr Áine Lawlor, former chief executive of the Teaching Council, and includes experts whose experience crosses education, governance, assessment and research.
They include Dr Peter Archer, former chief executive officer of the Educational Research Centre; Majella O'Shea, former deputy chief executive of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment; Joe Hamill, former secretary general of the Department of Arts and chair of the New Schools Establishments Group; Justin Edwards, chief executive of the Northern Ireland's Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment; and Prof Michael O'Leary, professor of assessment at DCU.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Phase two explainer: What restrictions are being lifted today?

So , as of this morning , we are in phase two .
But it ’ s not the phase two we expected .
See , it ’ s phase two of four , not phase two of five .
It ’ s phase two-plus .
There hasn ’ t been five phases for days now .
That was the old plan , the plan that was supposed to start on May 5th , but because we weren ’ t ready , started on May 18th .
Now though , because we ’ re super-ready , we can speed it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t get your hair cut yet , and it ’ s a resounding “ maybe , possibly , but probably not ’ ’ on flying this summer .
But pints might be on the horizon , so long as you ’ re having more than a packet of dry roasted .
Confused yet ?
There ’ s been a lot of chopping and changing recently , so here is the definitive guide to what you can do this morning that you couldn ’ t do last night .
Can I go more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , depending on what county you live in , you can go much farther .
Let ’ s say you live in Mitchelstown : you can happily drive to your holiday home in Allihies , almost 200km away .
Most of us won ’ t have quite that level of freedom , but from today , travel within your county , or within 20km of your home if you ’ re leaving your county , is permitted .
And what ’ s this talk of pints ?
Steady on .
It looks like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manner – table service and a food offering – might be able to open from June 29th .
There ’ ll be more guidance for the sector , as well as hotels and restaurants , in the coming days .
There has been a lot of discussion of it , but nothing has changed this morning .
So hold your horses on the pints for now .
So what can I do ?
A lot more retail will begin to open up this week , with some shops permitted to open from today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops with street entrances , but from June 15th , shopping centres will be open .
It will be a different experience – expect queues , strict social distancing , no changing rooms , no beauty concessions , and food and drink offerings to be curtailed .
Not all shops will open at once , either .
Expect staggered opening hours , and allocated times for elderly and vulnerable customers .
Plan ahead before you shop .
What about seeing my friends and family ?
For most of us , this is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones .
From today , up to six people from different households can gather , inside or outside , so long as strict social distancing can be observed .
Organised outdoor exercise , sporting , cultural or social activities of up to 15 people are also permitted .
The rules around funerals have been slightly relaxed , with up to 25 immediate family members and close friends permitted at funeral services .
What about moving around , and should I be wearing a mask ?
Public transport is still curtailed – buses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday to Friday ” schedule but , to facilitate social distancing , capacity will be restricted .
Really the intention is to facilitate workers , not the public in general .
Walking and cycling is advised for getting around .
If you are on public transport , or out shopping , the advice is to wear a face mask .
I ’ m over 70 , am I still a cocooner ?
The advice for the over-70s or medically vulnerable is still to be “ extra vigilant ” , to stay home as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specially allocated times when shopping .
You may have small numbers of people in your home , if social distancing can be observed .
Please tell me there ’ s something there for the kids Thankfully , yes .
But it ’ s a trickle , not a flood .
Outdoor summer camps are now permitted , so long as they entail no more than 15 people mixing together .
Playgrounds can reopen , so long as they ’ re supervised .
There ’ s some confusion over exactly what that means , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week saying it would not be reopening pending clarification on “ supervision ” .
Watch this space .
What about the 2m rule ?
Stay 2m apart where possible ; there ’ s been a lot of debate about this , and in time it may change , but for now it stays in place .
And should I be heading back to the office ?
While some rules on work have been relaxed , such as for solitary workers , the general advice is still to work from home where possible .

100 days since the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Ireland the disease has made a lasting impact on all aspects of Irish life.
So, as of this morning, we are in phase two. But it’s not the phase two we expected. See, it’s phase two of four, not phase two of five. It’s phase two-plus. There hasn’t been five phases for days now. That was the old plan, the plan that was supposed to start on May 5th, but because we weren’t ready, started on May 18th. Now though, because we’re super-ready, we can speed it up.
No, you can’t get your hair cut yet, and it’s a resounding “maybe, possibly, but probably not’’ on flying this summer. But pints might be on the horizon, so long as you’re having more than a packet of dry roasted.
Confused yet? There’s been a lot of chopping and changing recently, so here is the definitive guide to what you can do this morning that you couldn’t do last night.
Can I go more than 5km from home?
Yes! Actually, depending on what county you live in, you can go much farther. Let's say you live in Mitchelstown: you can happily drive to your holiday home in Allihies, almost 200km away. Most of us won't have quite that level of freedom, but from today, travel within your county, or within 20km of your home if you're leaving your county, is permitted.
READ MORE
And what's this talk of pints?
Steady on. It looks like bars that can operate in a restaurant-like manner – table service and a food offering – might be able to open from June 29th. There'll be more guidance for the sector, as well as hotels and restaurants, in the coming days. There has been a lot of discussion of it, but nothing has changed this morning. So hold your horses on the pints for now.
So what can I do?
A lot more retail will begin to open up this week, with some shops permitted to open from today. Initially this will be restricted to shops with street entrances, but from June 15th, shopping centres will be open. It will be a different experience – expect queues, strict social distancing, no changing rooms, no beauty concessions, and food and drink offerings to be curtailed. Not all shops will open at once, either. Expect staggered opening hours, and allocated times for elderly and vulnerable customers. Plan ahead before you shop.
What about seeing my friends and family?
For most of us, this is the question, after months isolated from loved ones. From today, up to six people from different households can gather, inside or outside, so long as strict social distancing can be observed. Organised outdoor exercise, sporting, cultural or social activities of up to 15 people are also permitted. The rules around funerals have been slightly relaxed, with up to 25 immediate family members and close friends permitted at funeral services.
What about moving around, and should I be wearing a mask?
Public transport is still curtailed – buses and the Dart will run a pre-Covid "Monday to Friday" schedule but, to facilitate social distancing, capacity will be restricted. Really the intention is to facilitate workers, not the public in general. Walking and cycling is advised for getting around. If you are on public transport, or out shopping, the advice is to wear a face mask.
I'm over 70, am I still a cocooner?
The advice for the over-70s or medically vulnerable is still to be "extra vigilant", to stay home as much as possible, and to use specially allocated times when shopping. You may have small numbers of people in your home, if social distancing can be observed.
Please tell me there's something there for the kids
Thankfully, yes. But it's a trickle, not a flood. Outdoor summer camps are now permitted, so long as they entail no more than 15 people mixing together. Playgrounds can reopen, so long as they're supervised. There's some confusion over exactly what that means, however, with Dublin City Council last week saying it would not be reopening pending clarification on "supervision". Watch this space.
What about the 2m rule?
Stay 2m apart where possible; there's been a lot of debate about this, and in time it may change, but for now it stays in place.
And should I be heading back to the office?
While some rules on work have been relaxed, such as for solitary workers, the general advice is still to work from home where possible.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Hair salons seek green light for earlier reopening on June 29th

The days of people idly flicking through magazines while getting their hair done are gone for now , as salons seek to get the green light to resume trading earlier than outlined in the roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions .
A ban on reading material is amongst more than 100 measures proposed by the Irish Hairdresser ’ s Federation ( IHF ) aimed at ensuring salons and barbers are safe to reopen .
According to the proposed measures , salons will also make extensive use of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) for stylists and customers , Covid-19 training will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be screening of customers when taking bookings .
The guidelines , published on Monday morning , are being produced to facilitate the opening of hair salons at the start of the third phase on June 29th and not July 20th , as planned in the Government ’ s reopening roadmap .
They also include proposals for the full sanitisation of workstations after each customer and a ban on reading material .
Salon visits and customer phone numbers will also be recorded for contact tracing purposes .
Hairdressers are not being advised to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not required for infection prevention and control purposes , ” the guidance says .
“ Where gloves are necessary , they must not be considered a substitute for hand hygiene and hands must be cleaned whenever gloves are removed.
” In terms of physical distancing , the guidance says where “ 2m employee separation can not be ensured by organisational means , maintain at least a distance of 1m or as much distance as is reasonably practicable ” .
It also says “ the hairdresser or barber should maximise their body position as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance from the client ” .
The IHF has argued that if it is forced to remain closed until the end of July , the shutdown will have lasted for 18 weeks when the average time hairdressers were closed in other countries across the EU has been between six and eight weeks .
The federation said its guidelines had been developed following engagement with the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority and with the assistance of health and safety experts .
Danielle Kennedy , the federation ’ s president , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government ’ s advice on what to do and will enable hairdressers and barber shops to reopen safely in phase three rather than phase four ” .
She added that the federation had spent the past six weeks working with experts , the HSE , and all parties in the hair and beauty sector to develop the new guidelines .
“ This is an extremely safe and cautious set of guidelines , ” she said .
“ There are 25,000 people employed in our sector and we want to ensure they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we wait any longer to reopen , hundreds of small businesses will go bust and thousands of people will lose their jobs .
’ ’

Proposed safety measures for hair salons and barbers include the full sanitisation of workstations after each customer and a ban on reading material. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons/ The Irish Times
The days of people idly flicking through magazines while getting their hair done are gone for now, as salons seek to get the green light to resume trading earlier than outlined in the roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions.
A ban on reading material is amongst more than 100 measures proposed by the Irish Hairdresser’s Federation (IHF) aimed at ensuring salons and barbers are safe to reopen.
According to the proposed measures, salons will also make extensive use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for stylists and customers, Covid-19 training will be introduced for all staff and there will be screening of customers when taking bookings.
The guidelines, published on Monday morning, are being produced to facilitate the opening of hair salons at the start of the third phase on June 29th and not July 20th, as planned in the Government’s reopening roadmap. They also include proposals for the full sanitisation of workstations after each customer and a ban on reading material.
READ MORE
Salon visits and customer phone numbers will also be recorded for contact tracing purposes. Hairdressers are not being advised to wear gloves.
“Gloves are generally not required for infection prevention and control purposes,” the guidance says.
“Where gloves are necessary, they must not be considered a substitute for hand hygiene and hands must be cleaned whenever gloves are removed.”
In terms of physical distancing, the guidance says where “2m employee separation cannot be ensured by organisational means, maintain at least a distance of 1m or as much distance as is reasonably practicable”.
It also says “the hairdresser or barber should maximise their body position as much as possible to increase the physical distance from the client”.
The IHF has argued that if it is forced to remain closed until the end of July, the shutdown will have lasted for 18 weeks when the average time hairdressers were closed in other countries across the EU has been between six and eight weeks.
The federation said its guidelines had been developed following engagement with the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority and with the assistance of health and safety experts.
‘Extremely safe’
Danielle Kennedy, the federation's president, said the new guidelines "go above and beyond the Government's advice on what to do and will enable hairdressers and barber shops to reopen safely in phase three rather than phase four".
She added that the federation had spent the past six weeks working with experts, the HSE, and all parties in the hair and beauty sector to develop the new guidelines.
“This is an extremely safe and cautious set of guidelines,” she said.
“There are 25,000 people employed in our sector and we want to ensure they can come back to work safely. If we wait any longer to reopen, hundreds of small businesses will go bust and thousands of people will lose their jobs.’’


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Oxygen supply in Irish hospitals ‘a challenge’ as pandemic neared peak

Oxygen supply in Irish hospitals was a “ challenge ” as the acute system approached the peak of the pandemic in late March and early April , newly released records show .
According to minutes of a subgroup of the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) , the supply and management of oxygen was discussed on March 30th .
The meeting was told that “ supply of oxygen in hospitals was reported to be a challenge , as the maximum flow in hospitals can not be increased ” .
On the day the subgroup on acute hospital preparedness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 were diagnosed , as Ireland entered the phase of the pandemic that saw the most pressure brought to bear on hospitals .
Dr Brian Marsh , a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care at Dublin ’ s Mater hospital , told the group that modelling had been undertaken in that hospital “ looking at the flow throughout the hospital and tapering the supply as appropriate in some areas ” .
At the time of the meeting , there were more than 450 confirmed cases of Covid-19 admitted to hospitals across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-April at more than 850 .
Minutes of the meeting show that Dr Vida Hamilton , the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) national clinical adviser and group lead on acute hospitals , said the focus was on “ appropriately managing the flow [ of oxygen ] to deliver the best outcomes possible to patients ” .
Among the other issues discussed by the group was the availability of staff , which was “ reported to be a particular challenge ” necessitating “ ongoing training of non-critical care staff in critical care to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilators available was also discussed , with HSE national director of acute hospitals Liam Woods flagging “ considerable procurement challenges faced in this area with most of the supply from China now being absorbed by the US ” .
Mr Woods “ outlined the need for an enhanced procurement approach to support the HSE , given the unprecedented volatility of the market ” .
The notes also reveal in detail how the health service was planning to deal with a significant death toll associated with the virus .
A dedicated mass fatalities expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reveal , and “ a number of large refrigeration units for storage of the deceased have been procured ” .
The Royal Hospital in Kilmainham “ will accommodate 500 bodies with further spaces available in the midwest ” .
At the time of the meeting , there was capacity available to store 1,500 deceased individuals , the notes record , while Mr Woods “ confirmed that body bags have been procured and that postmortems would only take place in exceptional circumstances in relation to Covid-19 deaths ” .
A “ virtually-delivered chaplaincy service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes show .

At the Mater hospital in Dublin, modelling was undertaken looking at the oxygen flow throughout the hospital “and tapering the supply as appropriate in some areas”, a consultant said.
Oxygen supply in Irish hospitals was a “challenge” as the acute system approached the peak of the pandemic in late March and early April, newly released records show.
According to minutes of a subgroup of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), the supply and management of oxygen was discussed on March 30th. The meeting was told that "supply of oxygen in hospitals was reported to be a challenge, as the maximum flow in hospitals cannot be increased".
On the day the subgroup on acute hospital preparedness met, some 295 new cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed, as Ireland entered the phase of the pandemic that saw the most pressure brought to bear on hospitals.
Dr Brian Marsh, a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care at Dublin's Mater hospital, told the group that modelling had been undertaken in that hospital "looking at the flow throughout the hospital and tapering the supply as appropriate in some areas".
READ MORE
At the time of the meeting, there were more than 450 confirmed cases of Covid-19 admitted to hospitals across the country, a figure which would peak in mid-April at more than 850.
Minutes of the meeting show that Dr Vida Hamilton, the Health Service Executive (HSE) national clinical adviser and group lead on acute hospitals, said the focus was on "appropriately managing the flow [of oxygen] to deliver the best outcomes possible to patients".
Among the other issues discussed by the group was the availability of staff, which was “reported to be a particular challenge” necessitating “ongoing training of non-critical care staff in critical care to bolster numbers”.
Ventilators
The number of ventilators available was also discussed, with HSE national director of acute hospitals Liam Woods flagging "considerable procurement challenges faced in this area with most of the supply from China now being absorbed by the US". Mr Woods "outlined the need for an enhanced procurement approach to support the HSE, given the unprecedented volatility of the market".
The notes also reveal in detail how the health service was planning to deal with a significant death toll associated with the virus. A dedicated mass fatalities expert group was set up, the minutes reveal, and "a number of large refrigeration units for storage of the deceased have been procured". The Royal Hospital in Kilmainham "will accommodate 500 bodies with further spaces available in the midwest".
At the time of the meeting, there was capacity available to store 1,500 deceased individuals, the notes record, while Mr Woods “confirmed that body bags have been procured and that postmortems would only take place in exceptional circumstances in relation to Covid-19 deaths”.
A “virtually-delivered chaplaincy service” was also being delivered, the notes show.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Irish shops prepare to reopen for ‘pushback against Amazon’

People should not expect the experience of shopping to be the same as it was before the lockdown , the spokeswoman for one of Ireland ’ s leading retail umbrella groups has said .
Jean McCabe , acting head of Retail Excellence Ireland , also said there was a “ huge appetite ” among Irish consumers to start shopping again after almost three months of widespread closures .
From Monday , phase two of the Government ’ s roadmap for reopening society and businesses will begin , allowing street-facing shops to reopen .
Ms McCabe said retailers would be doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping as positive as possible .
“ I think the shopping experience is going to be more functional , more practical and faster than it was before the crisis started , ” she said .
“ And I think the challenge facing all retailers will be to ensure that the environment is safe while also creating an experience for shoppers.
” Retailers were being “ very innovative ” and deploying apps to allow people to book appointments and managing queues while dramatically overhauling the level of in-store hygiene .
“ I also think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support local businesses and get back to what is the biggest hobby in the world , ” she said .
“ And I think that desire to shop local is something that will endure .
People are really conscious about where they are shopping now.
” Public transport services will increase in line with the Government ’ s plan to accelerate the reopening of the economy , but people have been urged to wait until after 10.30am before visiting shops , as the need for social distancing will mean the numbers carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The National Transport Authority urged workers to walk or cycle to work where possible and to wear face coverings on public transport .
Lord mayor of Dublin Tom Brabazon cautioned people against rushing into the shops , as only 25 per cent would be reopened initially .
“ My message to all Dubliners is that we are looking forward to welcoming you back into the heart of the city from Monday , but please remember that we are easing open , ” he said .
The reopening is happening across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to resuming trading at her two County Boutique shops in Nenagh and Ennis and outlined measures her businesses had taken beyond floor markings and hand-sanitising stations .
“ We are offering customer appointments and have several lined up for the next couple of days , ” she said adding that the shop had also started delivering clothes to customers ’ homes to be tried on , and was offering an online delivery and pick-up service .
Sarah Kenny of Kenny ’ s Bookshop in Galway said the shop would restrict the numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deem this will be safe for social distancing while allowing customers and staff to be comfortable .
We will have hand sanitisers and gloves inside the door and have built a lot of new shelving , ” she said , adding that the first hour in the morning would be dedicated to older and vulnerable customers .
Glenna Lynch of the Sofa Room on Leeson Street , Dublin , said the show was planning to see one customer or household at a time so it could offer comfortable social distancing .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filled with sofas , so we want people to feel comfortable browsing and working through the options.
” She said it would have visits by appointment for most of the day , with a smaller drop-in slot .
“ We feel that appointments are the only way we can offer predictable and safe access with social distancing .
People who are sofa shopping often spend an hour or more in the shop .
A typical first visit might be less , but still 30 minutes ... too long for anyone to wait outside.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability to change very quickly .
“ We are trying something that we may never have tried had Covid not struck .
I think this might be the impetus to offer something distinctly better than click-and-buy across all types of product .
Maybe this is the arrival of unique offerings that will put the human and personal contact back into buying , the pushback against Amazon .
”

People should not expect the experience of shopping to be the same as it was before the lockdown, the spokeswoman for one of Ireland’s leading retail umbrella groups has said.
Jean McCabe, acting head of Retail Excellence Ireland, also said there was a "huge appetite" among Irish consumers to start shopping again after almost three months of widespread closures.
From Monday, phase two of the Government’s roadmap for reopening society and businesses will begin, allowing street-facing shops to reopen.
Ms McCabe said retailers would be doing as much as they could to make shopping as positive as possible.
READ MORE
“I think the shopping experience is going to be more functional, more practical and faster than it was before the crisis started,” she said. “And I think the challenge facing all retailers will be to ensure that the environment is safe while also creating an experience for shoppers.”
Retailers were being “very innovative” and deploying apps to allow people to book appointments and managing queues while dramatically overhauling the level of in-store hygiene.
“I also think there is a real appetite out there to support local businesses and get back to what is the biggest hobby in the world,” she said. “And I think that desire to shop local is something that will endure. People are really conscious about where they are shopping now.”
Public transport services will increase in line with the Government’s plan to accelerate the reopening of the economy, but people have been urged to wait until after 10.30am before visiting shops, as the need for social distancing will mean the numbers carried on buses or trains will remain restricted.
The National Transport Authority urged workers to walk or cycle to work where possible and to wear face coverings on public transport.
Fools rush in
Lord mayor of Dublin Tom Brabazon cautioned people against rushing into the shops, as only 25 per cent would be reopened initially.
“My message to all Dubliners is that we are looking forward to welcoming you back into the heart of the city from Monday, but please remember that we are easing open,” he said.
The reopening is happening across the country. Gwen Culligan said she was looking forward to resuming trading at her two County Boutique shops in Nenagh and Ennis and outlined measures her businesses had taken beyond floor markings and hand-sanitising stations.
“We are offering customer appointments and have several lined up for the next couple of days,” she said adding that the shop had also started delivering clothes to customers’ homes to be tried on, and was offering an online delivery and pick-up service.
Sarah Kenny of Kenny's Bookshop in Galway said the shop would restrict the numbers allowed in to 12.
“We deem this will be safe for social distancing while allowing customers and staff to be comfortable. We will have hand sanitisers and gloves inside the door and have built a lot of new shelving,” she said, adding that the first hour in the morning would be dedicated to older and vulnerable customers.
Comfortable distancing
Glenna Lynch of the Sofa Room on Leeson Street, Dublin, said the show was planning to see one customer or household at a time so it could offer comfortable social distancing.
“The shop is very relaxed, a space filled with sofas, so we want people to feel comfortable browsing and working through the options.”
She said it would have visits by appointment for most of the day, with a smaller drop-in slot.
“We feel that appointments are the only way we can offer predictable and safe access with social distancing. People who are sofa shopping often spend an hour or more in the shop. A typical first visit might be less, but still 30 minutes ... too long for anyone to wait outside.”
She said small independent retailers had the ability to change very quickly. "We are trying something that we may never have tried had Covid not struck. I think this might be the impetus to offer something distinctly better than click-and-buy across all types of product. Maybe this is the arrival of unique offerings that will put the human and personal contact back into buying, the pushback against Amazon. "


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Covid-19: Watchdog received 280 complaints on nursing homes

Nursing home staff who tested positive for coronavirus but had no symptoms were asked to continue working , according to a complaint made to the Health Information and Quality Authority .
And untested staff at another nursing home continued working though they had symptoms of the virus , a separate complaint says .
Some 280 complaints about nursing homes were made to the State ’ s health service watchdog during the first two months of the pandemic , newly released documents show .
Records released by the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) show that most complaints related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevention and control within the care homes , and the lack of communication about the welfare of residents with relatives .
Details on 38 per cent of the complaints were not disclosed by Hiqa as notes on 108 complaints were redacted in the records released to The Irish Times under a Freedom of Information Act request because the complaints related to matters being deliberated by the regulator .
Of the complaints not redacted , the highest number , 48 , related to concerns about lack of infection controls within the homes and about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There were 43 complaints about poor communication by the nursing homes , while there were 23 complaints about inadequate physical distancing in the facilities and 22 about the ban on visitor restrictions , most of which were made shortly after it was introduced in March .
The complaints peaked in the second half of April , coinciding with the surge in the number of outbreaks in care homes .
Records show there were 17 complaints made to Hiqa on April 20th and 16 the following day .
The number of complaints then fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28th .
The first outbreak in a nursing home was identified on March 16th .
By the end of March there were clusters of infection – defined as two cases or more – in 38 nursing homes .
That figure reached 220 by the end of April .
There were 257 nursing homes in the State with clusters last week .
Nursing homes have borne the brunt of the pandemic , accounting for 927 or 55 per cent of the 1,670 people to have died from the disease in the State .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the notes about the complaints .
The Irish Times requested details of complaints made by members of staff at nursing homes as well as from members of the public and relatives of the residents about the virus .
One “ concerned person ” – as the regulator calls a complainant – expressed concern about infection and control measures in place during an outbreak in a nursing home .
“ Staff continue to work in this centre instead of self-isolating if showing symptoms , ” says the note on the complaint dated April 8th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person complained about a staff member at a nursing home who was also working at a local supermarket , which they felt may put residents at risk from the virus .
On April 21st , Hiqa received a complaint about a number of staff from one nursing home in local supermarkets wearing their uniforms after work and was “ concerned about cross-infection ” .
Another complainant raised concerns on March 20th about staff working shifts in both an acute general hospital and a nursing home during an outbreak .
In late March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put at risk of being infected with the disease as a staff member was “ working a split week between two nursing homes ” .
Another complaint , in late April , also raised concerns “ about staff moving between nursing homes ” .
?
On April 14th , Hiqa was told that a nursing home staff member had returned to work after self-isolating for two weeks but did not have a test and “ continues to have a cough ” .
On April 24th , a complaint came into the regulator about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control where staff were working in both the kitchen and caring for residents .
In another home , concerns were raised on April 27th about a nursing home with an outbreak where “ staff who had tested positive but have no symptoms have been requested to continue to work instead of self-isolating ” .
A person complained on March 24th that a resident who had returned from Spain in the previous week returned to work without being quarantined .
Another person complained on May 6th about a shortage of personal protective equipment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the virus to return to work .
There were regular complaints about low staffing levels with one raising concerns about the number of staff out of work self-isolating .
Two complaints refer to a lack of support from the HSE .
On April 9th one person complained that the manager of a nursing home was “ not responding to emails or phone calls ” and that they had “ local knowledge that the centre has a Covid-19 outbreak but centre has not confirmed this with families ” .
One person complained to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor communication from management relating to confirmed cases of the disease in the nursing home and expressed concerns about whether “ there are enough staff to look after the residents ” .
?
The failure to communicate with relatives was a consistent complaint over the two months but these increased in number as the outbreaks spread to more nursing homes .
One person complained on April 6th that there had been poor communication by the nursing home about their relative who had been confirmed positive with the virus .
“ Phones are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says the note on the complaint .
On April 17th an individual expressed concern that a nursing home did not tell their family who was admitting a relative into the home that it had a suspected case of the disease .
“ Family would not have placed resident into centre if they had known , ” says the note .
Another complainant raised concerns with Hiqa on April 20th that they had not been told whether the virus was in the nursing home and that they were concerned there were no visits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and assist staff .
Early in the pandemic , on March 13th , one person complained about the delay in transferring a relative back to a nursing home as the home had requested the hospital carry out a test and and isolate the resident for 14 days prior to their return .
The hospital declined to test them because the “ resident does not meet criteria ” , the complaint note says .

Some 280 complaints about nursing homes were made to the State’s health service watchdog during the first two months of the pandemic. File photograph: Getty Images
Nursing home staff who tested positive for coronavirus but had no symptoms were asked to continue working, according to a complaint made to the Health Information and Quality Authority.
And untested staff at another nursing home continued working though they had symptoms of the virus, a separate complaint says.
Some 280 complaints about nursing homes were made to the State’s health service watchdog during the first two months of the pandemic, newly released documents show.
Records released by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) show that most complaints related to concerns about staffing issues and infection prevention and control within the care homes, and the lack of communication about the welfare of residents with relatives.
READ MORE
Details on 38 per cent of the complaints were not disclosed by Hiqa as notes on 108 complaints were redacted in the records released to The Irish Times under a Freedom of Information Act request because the complaints related to matters being deliberated by the regulator.
Inadequate
Of the complaints not redacted, the highest number, 48, related to concerns about lack of infection controls within the homes and about staffing levels and other staff issues.
There were 43 complaints about poor communication by the nursing homes, while there were 23 complaints about inadequate physical distancing in the facilities and 22 about the ban on visitor restrictions, most of which were made shortly after it was introduced in March.
The complaints peaked in the second half of April, coinciding with the surge in the number of outbreaks in care homes. Records show there were 17 complaints made to Hiqa on April 20th and 16 the following day. The number of complaints then fell before rising again to 21 on April 28th.
The first outbreak in a nursing home was identified on March 16th. By the end of March there were clusters of infection – defined as two cases or more – in 38 nursing homes. That figure reached 220 by the end of April. There were 257 nursing homes in the State with clusters last week.
Nursing homes have borne the brunt of the pandemic, accounting for 927 or 55 per cent of the 1,670 people to have died from the disease in the State.
No care homes were identified by Hiqa in the notes about the complaints.
The Irish Times requested details of complaints made by members of staff at nursing homes as well as from members of the public and relatives of the residents about the virus.
One “concerned person” – as the regulator calls a complainant – expressed concern about infection and control measures in place during an outbreak in a nursing home.
“Staff continue to work in this centre instead of self-isolating if showing symptoms,” says the note on the complaint dated April 8th.
On the same day, another person complained about a staff member at a nursing home who was also working at a local supermarket, which they felt may put residents at risk from the virus.
On April 21st, Hiqa received a complaint about a number of staff from one nursing home in local supermarkets wearing their uniforms after work and was “concerned about cross-infection”.
Another complainant raised concerns on March 20th about staff working shifts in both an acute general hospital and a nursing home during an outbreak.
In late March, one individual raised concerns about residents being put at risk of being infected with the disease as a staff member was “working a split week between two nursing homes”. Another complaint, in late April, also raised concerns “about staff moving between nursing homes”.?
On April 14th, Hiqa was told that a nursing home staff member had returned to work after self-isolating for two weeks but did not have a test and “continues to have a cough”.
On April 24th, a complaint came into the regulator about staff work practices affecting infection prevention and control where staff were working in both the kitchen and caring for residents.
In another home, concerns were raised on April 27th about a nursing home with an outbreak where “staff who had tested positive but have no symptoms have been requested to continue to work instead of self-isolating”.
A person complained on March 24th that a resident who had returned from Spain in the previous week returned to work without being quarantined.
Another person complained on May 6th about a shortage of personal protective equipment and requests for staff who have tested positive for the virus to return to work.
There were regular complaints about low staffing levels with one raising concerns about the number of staff out of work self-isolating. Two complaints refer to a lack of support from the HSE.
Outbreak
On April 9th one person complained that the manager of a nursing home was “not responding to emails or phone calls” and that they had “local knowledge that the centre has a Covid-19 outbreak but centre has not confirmed this with families”.
One person complained to Hiqa on May 1st that there was poor communication from management relating to confirmed cases of the disease in the nursing home and expressed concerns about whether “there are enough staff to look after the residents”.?
The failure to communicate with relatives was a consistent complaint over the two months but these increased in number as the outbreaks spread to more nursing homes.
One person complained on April 6th that there had been poor communication by the nursing home about their relative who had been confirmed positive with the virus.
“Phones are not answered and no updates are provided,” says the note on the complaint.
On April 17th an individual expressed concern that a nursing home did not tell their family who was admitting a relative into the home that it had a suspected case of the disease.
“Family would not have placed resident into centre if they had known,” says the note.
Another complainant raised concerns with Hiqa on April 20th that they had not been told whether the virus was in the nursing home and that they were concerned there were no visits of HSE-appointed doctors or nurses to advise and assist staff.
Early in the pandemic, on March 13th, one person complained about the delay in transferring a relative back to a nursing home as the home had requested the hospital carry out a test and and isolate the resident for 14 days prior to their return.
The hospital declined to test them because the “resident does not meet criteria”, the complaint note says.


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--Nursing home deficiencies subject of Hiqa concern at start of April

Just over a fifth of nursing homes were fully compliant with all regulations on care and welfare of residents last year , the State ’ s health service watchdog warned health officials in early April .
The Health Information and Quality Authority told the Department of Health on April 9th that 124 public and private nursing homes – or 23 per cent of the 580 care homes in the country – were “ at risk ” and would potentially need some level of additional support from the Health Service Executive .
Mary Dunnion , chief inspector at Hiqa , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had tried to help care homes “ when the need has arisen ” with more than 50 staff being deployed , on-site infection control advice , psychological support for staff and increased personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
“ However , the lack of direct relationship of the HSE with the private sector has highlighted a challenge to effectively project the specific needs of nursing homes during the Covid-19 outbreak , ” said the health regulator in a risk assessment document provided to the department .
The document was in correspondence sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee in response to issues raised in the Dáil about information provided by Hiqa .
Hiqa ’ s chief inspector raised concerns in the document about staffing levels in nursing homes , saying there was “ no nationally mandated staff ratio for the nursing home sector ” and that most care in private homes was provided by healthcare assistants supervised by registered nursing .
“ In a large number of private nursing homes their established staffing levels , skills mix and competencies are not commensurate with what is required to deal effectively with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Covid-19 outbreak , ” she wrote .
“ Importantly , the private sector is unable to safely sustain a quality service when staffing levels are depleted by staff self-isolating while awaiting Covid-19 testing and/or results.
” At the time the risk assessment was shared , there were clusters – each defined as two cases or more – in 130 nursing homes .
This has since risen to more than 250 .
The nursing home sector has been at the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic , accounting for about 55 per cent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus disease in the State .
A HSE briefing sent to the committee shows that some €80 million has been spent so far on testing and tracing , including €33 million on testing kits and reagent , €23 million on lab testing , and €14.5 million paid to GPs referring people forward under a government reimbursement scheme .
The briefing document on the State ’ s Covid-19 testing and tracing model also shows that if the State were to require 15,000 tests to be completed per day , every day , then the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ in the region of €450 million ” .
The HSE document states that its performance on testing has improved since a backlog of about 35,000 people awaiting swabbing emerged in the early days of the crisis .
The committee will on Tuesday hear that more than 500 inspectors are being deployed to check whether workplaces are adhering to social distancing and other safety rules as the country reopens .
Department of Business secretary general Dr Orlaigh Quinn will tell the committee today that the inspectors are being deployed to help Health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,015 inspections since the lockdown began to be lifted on May 18th .
Some 858 inspections have been carried out to check compliance with the Government ’ s Return to Work Safety Protocol and the construction industry accounts for about half of these .
The inspections have found high levels of compliance and employers taking a “ responsible ” approach .

Hiqa’s Mary Dunnion: “The lack of direct relationship of the HSE with the private sector has highlighted a challenge to effectively project the specific needs of nursing homes during the Covid-19 outbreak.” Photograph: Tom Honan
Just over a fifth of nursing homes were fully compliant with all regulations on care and welfare of residents last year, the State’s health service watchdog warned health officials in early April.
The Health Information and Quality Authority told the Department of Health on April 9th that 124 public and private nursing homes – or 23 per cent of the 580 care homes in the country – were "at risk" and would potentially need some level of additional support from the Health Service Executive.
Mary Dunnion, chief inspector at Hiqa, said in a risk assessment that the HSE had tried to help care homes "when the need has arisen" with more than 50 staff being deployed, on-site infection control advice, psychological support for staff and increased personal protective equipment (PPE).
“However, the lack of direct relationship of the HSE with the private sector has highlighted a challenge to effectively project the specific needs of nursing homes during the Covid-19 outbreak,” said the health regulator in a risk assessment document provided to the department.
READ MORE
The document was in correspondence sent by the department to the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee in response to issues raised in the Dáil about information provided by Hiqa.
Skills and competencies
Hiqa’s chief inspector raised concerns in the document about staffing levels in nursing homes, saying there was “no nationally mandated staff ratio for the nursing home sector” and that most care in private homes was provided by healthcare assistants supervised by registered nursing.
“In a large number of private nursing homes their established staffing levels, skills mix and competencies are not commensurate with what is required to deal effectively with the escalating care needs of residents during a Covid-19 outbreak,” she wrote.
“Importantly, the private sector is unable to safely sustain a quality service when staffing levels are depleted by staff self-isolating while awaiting Covid-19 testing and/or results.”
At the time the risk assessment was shared, there were clusters – each defined as two cases or more – in 130 nursing homes. This has since risen to more than 250.
The nursing home sector has been at the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic, accounting for about 55 per cent of the more than 1,670 deaths from the coronavirus disease in the State.
Testing and tracing
A HSE briefing sent to the committee shows that some €80 million has been spent so far on testing and tracing, including €33 million on testing kits and reagent, €23 million on lab testing, and €14.5 million paid to GPs referring people forward under a government reimbursement scheme.
The briefing document on the State’s Covid-19 testing and tracing model also shows that if the State were to require 15,000 tests to be completed per day, every day, then the projected costs of this model would be “in the region of €450 million”.
The HSE document states that its performance on testing has improved since a backlog of about 35,000 people awaiting swabbing emerged in the early days of the crisis.
The committee will on Tuesday hear that more than 500 inspectors are being deployed to check whether workplaces are adhering to social distancing and other safety rules as the country reopens.
Department of Business secretary general Dr Orlaigh Quinn will tell the committee today that the inspectors are being deployed to help Health and Safety Authority officials who have carried out 1,015 inspections since the lockdown began to be lifted on May 18th.
Some 858 inspections have been carried out to check compliance with the Government’s Return to Work Safety Protocol and the construction industry accounts for about half of these. The inspections have found high levels of compliance and employers taking a “responsible” approach.


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--Lockdown lifted: Summer finally arrives in Dunmore East

Dunmore East is beginning to wake up after the longest winter in anyone ’ s memory .
With the countywide travel restrictions lifted , parking is suddenly at a premium again in the Co Waterford seaside village .
And for once , nobody is complaining about it .
A small , socially distant lunchtime crowd has gathered in the sun outside the Lemon Tree restaurant .
The restaurant switched to takeaway only in March , and stayed open throughout the lockdown , serving a full daytime menu through a newly installed hatch .
It ’ s been such a success @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet decided whether to reopen the dining room .
Like most people here , she is glad to see life coming back to the village .
“ There are cars everywhere .
It ’ s a nice feeling.
” Gillian Westman is giving the lampposts outside the Haven Hotel a fresh coat of paint .
“ I ’ m doing them in sixes , ” she says .
A member of the Tidy Towns committee , her pleasure at seeing signs of summer is tinged with nervousness .
At 132.6 cases per 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 of anywhere in the country .
“ Our numbers have been right down all the way through .
Everybody is a bit anxious ” that might change when the full travel restrictions are lifted , Westman says .
But , she adds , “ it ’ s a beautiful place .
We can ’ t keep it all to ourselves.
” There is an awareness , too , that the local economy relies on those visitors .
With a summertime population that swells from 2,000 to between 8,000 and 12,000 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town ” , says restauranteur Adriano Cavaliere .
At the socially distant team meeting upstairs in Azzurro , he and his co-owner brother Dario give floor staff an idea of what to expect when the restaurant reopens on June 29th .
“ When customers come here for dinner , they don ’ t want to think about Covid , ” Adriano says .
So there won ’ t be large signage all over the restaurant beyond what is legally required .
A staff member asks about masks and gloves .
Masks will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But , Adriano adds , “ the thing to remember is it ’ s not mandatory .
Let ’ s say you , as a punter , go into a restaurant and everybody is wearing masks and visors , and they all look like Darth Vader , you ’ re not going to feel comfortable .
Hand hygiene is the number one way to stop the spread of Covid.
” Staff will be required to complete a hygiene course before they come back to work , he says .
Dario asks who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nobody raises their hand .
Back downstairs , Adriano has laid out tables 1.5 metres apart .
The business won ’ t be viable if the two-metre rule isn ’ t relaxed , he says .
“ If it stays at two metres , I probably wouldn ’ t bother opening the doors .
Normally , I ’ d have 16-18 people in this room .
At two metres , I ’ m looking at six to eight .
It ’ s just not practicable .
You can ’ t do it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 60 per cent of the restaurant ’ s total business .
“ Right now , just with takeaway , I ’ m making enough money to pay the suppliers and keep the lights on , ” Adriano says .
He ’ d like to see the Government give a VAT holiday to help businesses like his survive .
The season is even shorter for Karen Harris , who owns the Dunmore East Adventure Centre .
The centre ’ s aqua park , which should already be open for school tours and birthday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The current regulations mean operating at half-capacity with increased hygiene measures and temperature checks , but Harris won ’ t increase prices .
“ As soon as we put out there that we were reopening , the bookings flew in .
Everybody is mad to go , ” she says .
The Breakwater gift shop opened on Monday morning to a steady stream of customers , many of whom were buying multiple baby and birthday gifts .
It ’ s a “ bittersweet day ” , says owner Emma Loftus , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s delighted to be back , but her second shop near the Greenway won ’ t be reopening .
“ It could have been a lot worse .
I could have lost everything.
” In the breaks between serving customers , she is philosophical .
“ You can ’ t run a business with your heart .
It has to be with your head.
” Outside the Strand Hotel , staff members are repainting the blue tables and benches ahead of the planned reopening on June 29th .
It can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Louise Foyle-Fezer .
“ We ’ ve now had four sunny bank holidays , and we ’ ve missed out on all of them .
The whole village has missed out , ” says Foyle .
Most people are connected to the tourism industry to some degree , adds Foyle .
“ We would employ 50 people here in summer and 20 in winter .
We really are so dependent on the summer months.
” Down by the beach , Angela Kearns is taking advantage of the easing of countywide travel restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she and her daughter Arlene and their dog are heading for a hike up to Coumshingaun Lake in the Comeragh mountains .
The peace has been nice , but “ it ’ s good to see a bit of normality return to the village ” .

Dunmore East is beginning to wake up after the longest winter in anyone's memory. With the countywide travel restrictions lifted, parking is suddenly at a premium again in the Co Waterford seaside village. And for once, nobody is complaining about it.
A small, socially distant lunchtime crowd has gathered in the sun outside the Lemon Tree restaurant. The restaurant switched to takeaway only in March, and stayed open throughout the lockdown, serving a full daytime menu through a newly installed hatch. It’s been such a success that owner Joan Boland hasn’t yet decided whether to reopen the dining room. Like most people here, she is glad to see life coming back to the village. “There are cars everywhere. It’s a nice feeling.”
Gillian Westman is giving the lampposts outside the Haven Hotel a fresh coat of paint. “I’m doing them in sixes,” she says. A member of the Tidy Towns committee, her pleasure at seeing signs of summer is tinged with nervousness. At 132.6 cases per 100,000 people, Waterford has the lowest incidence of Covid-19 of anywhere in the country. “Our numbers have been right down all the way through. Everybody is a bit anxious” that might change when the full travel restrictions are lifted, Westman says.
Adriano Cavaliere of Azzurro restaurant: The business won’t be viable if the two-metre rule isn’t relaxed, he says. Photograph: Patrick Browne
But, she adds, “it’s a beautiful place. We can’t keep it all to ourselves.”
READ MORE
There is an awareness, too, that the local economy relies on those visitors. With a summertime population that swells from 2,000 to between 8,000 and 12,000, “tourism is the only game in town”, says restauranteur Adriano Cavaliere.
‘Darth Vader’
At the socially distant team meeting upstairs in Azzurro, he and his co-owner brother Dario give floor staff an idea of what to expect when the restaurant reopens on June 29th. “When customers come here for dinner, they don’t want to think about Covid,” Adriano says. So there won’t be large signage all over the restaurant beyond what is legally required.
A staff member asks about masks and gloves. Masks will be provided to floor staff, Dario says. But, Adriano adds, “the thing to remember is it’s not mandatory. Let’s say you, as a punter, go into a restaurant and everybody is wearing masks and visors, and they all look like Darth Vader, you’re not going to feel comfortable. Hand hygiene is the number one way to stop the spread of Covid.” Staff will be required to complete a hygiene course before they come back to work, he says.
Dario asks who would like to wear a mask. Nobody raises their hand.
Back downstairs, Adriano has laid out tables 1.5 metres apart. The business won’t be viable if the two-metre rule isn’t relaxed, he says. “If it stays at two metres, I probably wouldn’t bother opening the doors. Normally, I’d have 16-18 people in this room. At two metres, I’m looking at six to eight. It’s just not practicable. You can’t do it.”
Emma Loftus, owner of Breakwater Gift Shop, with customer Aine Knox: “You can’t run a business with your heart. It has to be with your head.” Photograph: Patrick Browne
The three months of summer account for nearly 60 per cent of the restaurant’s total business. “Right now, just with takeaway, I’m making enough money to pay the suppliers and keep the lights on,” Adriano says. He’d like to see the Government give a VAT holiday to help businesses like his survive.
Hygiene and temperature
The season is even shorter for Karen Harris, who owns the Dunmore East Adventure Centre. The centre’s aqua park, which should already be open for school tours and birthday parties, is closed until June 29th. The current regulations mean operating at half-capacity with increased hygiene measures and temperature checks, but Harris won’t increase prices. “As soon as we put out there that we were reopening, the bookings flew in. Everybody is mad to go,” she says.
The Breakwater gift shop opened on Monday morning to a steady stream of customers, many of whom were buying multiple baby and birthday gifts. It’s a “bittersweet day”, says owner Emma Loftus, from behind her new perspex screen. She’s delighted to be back, but her second shop near the Greenway won’t be reopening. “It could have been a lot worse. I could have lost everything.” In the breaks between serving customers, she is philosophical. “You can’t run a business with your heart. It has to be with your head.”
Outside the Strand Hotel, staff members are repainting the blue tables and benches ahead of the planned reopening on June 29th. It can’t come soon enough for owners Edwina Foyle and Louise Foyle-Fezer. “We’ve now had four sunny bank holidays, and we’ve missed out on all of them. The whole village has missed out,” says Foyle.
Dario Cavaliere of Azzurro restaurant briefing the staff on what to expect when they reopen on June 29th. Photograph: Patrick Browne
Most people are connected to the tourism industry to some degree, adds Foyle. “We would employ 50 people here in summer and 20 in winter. We really are so dependent on the summer months.”
Down by the beach, Angela Kearns is taking advantage of the easing of countywide travel restrictions. Having spent the lockdown in Dunmore, she and her daughter Arlene and their dog are heading for a hike up to Coumshingaun Lake in the Comeragh mountains. The peace has been nice, but “it’s good to see a bit of normality return to the village”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--Ireland post-pandemic facing a ‘tsunami’ of mental health problems

Ireland is facing a “ tsunami ” of mental health problems due to the coronavirus pandemic , with early indications showing an increase in suicide and self-harm , health experts warn .
Data collection on suicides by Irish hospitals were suspended as a result of the lockdown , meaning there are no current figures on suicide and self-harm rates , according to the National Self-Harm Registry .
However other data sources point to a significant upward trend .
In March and April of this year , 17 per cent of patients admitted to the National Spinal Injuries Unit in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suicide attempt compared to one per cent in the same period last year .
The numbers involved are small but they reflect a trend which is being seen elsewhere .
According to a recent US study , 45 per cent of people with suicidal thoughts explicitly linked them to Covid-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus .
On Monday , the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland ( CPI ) concluded a survey of 615 consultants .
The data is still being analysed but there are early indications of a worrying trend , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of consultants are reporting that they are now seeing an increase in people experiencing both new-onset and relapse of mental illness compared to the early stages of the lockdown but also to before the lockdown came into place , ” said Andrea Boyle of the CPI .
Increasing numbers of patients are presenting with suicidal ideation and signs of self-harm , she said .
“ We can see and we know that a tsunami of mental health issues are coming .
We know that anecdotally from us working as clinicians in emergency hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Professor Fiona McNicholas , a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist .
There is particular concern about the mental health of young people already prone to anxiety and the elderly who have been forced to cocoon since the start of the pandemic .
In one young person , the lockdown exacerbated an eating disorder , said Prof McNicholas .
“ The loss of their ability to engage in their usual exercises led them to over focus on eating .
They presented in a very malnourished state with typical anorexic behaviour.
” In a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started exercising on his own to maintain his fitness during lockdown .
“ Unfortunately for him , it led to exercise addiction , ” said Prof McNicholas .
“ To the point where he lost 20 per cent of his body weight and was medically compromised.
” Dr John Lyne , a consultant general adult psychiatrist and editor of the IJPM , said there is potential for an increase in suicides , particularly if there is a severe economic depression .
In the past social upheavals such as the Troubles or the 2008 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates , which can last for years .
The pandemic has also coincided with an increase in other mental health crises .
In March and April the number of applications by gardaí to the Mental Health Commission ( MHC ) for the involuntary admission of mentally ill people increased by 7 per cent compared to the same period last year .
“ However , the reason for this slight increase is not possible without a more detailed analysis , ” the MHC said .
For help call : Samaritans Free Call 116 123 @ @ @ @ @ @

People taking part in Darkness Into Light, in aid of Pieta House, in Skerries, Co Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Ireland is facing a “tsunami” of mental health problems due to the coronavirus pandemic, with early indications showing an increase in suicide and self-harm, health experts warn.
Data collection on suicides by Irish hospitals were suspended as a result of the lockdown, meaning there are no current figures on suicide and self-harm rates, according to the National Self-Harm Registry.
However other data sources point to a significant upward trend. In March and April of this year, 17 per cent of patients admitted to the National Spinal Injuries Unit in the Mater Hospital had sustained injuries in a suicide attempt compared to one per cent in the same period last year.
The numbers involved are small but they reflect a trend which is being seen elsewhere. According to a recent US study, 45 per cent of people with suicidal thoughts explicitly linked them to Covid-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
READ MORE
On Monday, the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland (CPI) concluded a survey of 615 consultants. The data is still being analysed but there are early indications of a worrying trend, the college said.
“A large proportion of consultants are reporting that they are now seeing an increase in people experiencing both new-onset and relapse of mental illness compared to the early stages of the lockdown but also to before the lockdown came into place,” said Andrea Ryder of the CPI.
Increasing numbers of patients are presenting with suicidal ideation and signs of self-harm, she said.
“We can see and we know that a tsunami of mental health issues are coming. We know that anecdotally from us working as clinicians in emergency hospitals and in community settings,” said Professor Fiona McNicholas, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist.
There is particular concern about the mental health of young people already prone to anxiety and the elderly who have been forced to cocoon since the start of the pandemic.
Social upheavals
In one young person, the lockdown exacerbated an eating disorder, said Prof McNicholas.
“The loss of their ability to engage in their usual exercises led them to over focus on eating. They presented in a very malnourished state with typical anorexic behaviour.”
In a second case, a previously healthy young boy started exercising on his own to maintain his fitness during lockdown.
“Unfortunately for him, it led to exercise addiction,” said Prof McNicholas. “To the point where he lost 20 per cent of his body weight and was medically compromised.”
Dr John Lyne, a consultant general adult psychiatrist and editor of the IJPM, said there is potential for an increase in suicides, particularly if there is a severe economic depression. In the past social upheavals such as the Troubles or the 2008 recession, were associated with raised suicide rates, which can last for years.
The pandemic has also coincided with an increase in other mental health crises. In March and April the number of applications by gardaí to the Mental Health Commission (MHC) for the involuntary admission of mentally ill people increased by 7 per cent compared to the same period last year.
“However, the reason for this slight increase is not possible without a more detailed analysis,” the MHC said.
For help call: Samaritans Free Call 116 123 or Pieta House 1800 247 247


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--Reopening car dealerships: ‘We have been pleasantly surprised’

Pat Harte and his colleagues came to work on Monday morning in CAB Motor Company in Ballintemple in Cork City for the first time in two months .
Once inside , the first order of business was to have their temperatures checked .
With perspex screens , floor markings , a showroom with plentiful hand sanitiser and a Covid-19 set of guidelines in place for test drives , car dealerships are in a far different place in the wake of the pandemic .
Grateful to be open , Harte said business at the Ford dealership had been surprisingly brisk .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we would be closed for two or three weeks , and it went on for seven or eight weeks .
It was strange .
We didn ’ t know what we would be coming back to .
“ We had people sitting at home looking at cars online and making enquiries .
The queries online were being monitored every day of the week .
We have been pleasantly surprised since we opened back up because we have been very busy.
” However , the days of customers browsing are over , for now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming down on Saturday with one or two of the kids while the wife is in town and the husband sitting into every car with the kids to pass a bit of time is gone .
“ There is none of that now .
They come in and they say ‘ I want to see car 44.
’ You know they are genuine buyers .
People don ’ t want to be going where they shouldn ’ t be going , ” says Harte .
Equally , customers have done more homework than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Harte expects July to be busy with the arrival of 202 cars , even if Covid-19 has made people more cautious than usual about spending .
It won ’ t be anywhere near the figures it used to be .
“ A lot of people are not sure if their job will be there when they are due to go back .
It is strange times but we are not back in the dark days .
I think eventually it will pick up again .
It is going to be slow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 has impacted on other elements of the trade , too .
“ There is interest in Irish second-hand cars .
There is very little of the imports coming in because the NCT centres weren ’ t open to vet the cars when they came in .
Second-hand sales are going well.
” “ We have all our cars sanitised .
We have the cars locked .
If anyone wants to take a test drive we hand them the keys in a bag .
We have gloves .
We have masks.
” However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too .
“ Some people are very compliant .
Other people will wear the gloves but won ’ t wear the masks .
Every time a car comes back having been driven by somebody , the car is sanitised again and put back on display.
” Covid-19 will impact on the way people move .
Some people will be reluctant to travel on public transport , and will opt to travel by car .
“ People want their own car .
It definitely was a surprise to see the reaction we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veteran of the car trade since 1979 .
“ I have seen it all , ” he told The Irish Times .

Sales Administrator Ruth Swanson with Pat Harte, sales manager of CAB Motor Group, Cork, as it reopened following the Covid-19 lockdown.Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
Pat Harte and his colleagues came to work on Monday morning in CAB Motor Company in Ballintemple in Cork City for the first time in two months. Once inside, the first order of business was to have their temperatures checked.
With perspex screens, floor markings, a showroom with plentiful hand sanitiser and a Covid-19 set of guidelines in place for test drives, car dealerships are in a far different place in the wake of the pandemic.
Grateful to be open, Harte said business at the Ford dealership had been surprisingly brisk.
“Back in March we were told we would be closed for two or three weeks, and it went on for seven or eight weeks. It was strange. We didn’t know what we would be coming back to.
READ MORE
“We had people sitting at home looking at cars online and making enquiries. The queries online were being monitored every day of the week. We have been pleasantly surprised since we opened back up because we have been very busy.”
However, the days of customers browsing are over, for now.
“The days of a guy coming down on Saturday with one or two of the kids while the wife is in town and the husband sitting into every car with the kids to pass a bit of time is gone.
“There is none of that now. They come in and they say ‘I want to see car 44.’ You know they are genuine buyers. People don’t want to be going where they shouldn’t be going,” says Harte.
Homework
Equally, customers have done more homework than before.
Like others in the trade, Harte expects July to be busy with the arrival of 202 cars, even if Covid-19 has made people more cautious than usual about spending. It won’t be anywhere near the figures it used to be.
“A lot of people are not sure if their job will be there when they are due to go back. It is strange times but we are not back in the dark days. I think eventually it will pick up again. It is going to be slow,” he told The Irish Times.
Covid-19 has impacted on other elements of the trade, too.
“There is interest in Irish second-hand cars. There is very little of the imports coming in because the NCT centres weren’t open to vet the cars when they came in. Second-hand sales are going well.”
Test drives are now carefully prepared.
“We have all our cars sanitised. We have the cars locked. If anyone wants to take a test drive we hand them the keys in a bag. We have gloves. We have masks.”
However, customers have a role to play, too.
“Some people are very compliant. Other people will wear the gloves but won’t wear the masks. Every time a car comes back having been driven by somebody, the car is sanitised again and put back on display.”
Covid-19 will impact on the way people move. Some people will be reluctant to travel on public transport, and will opt to travel by car.
“People want their own car. It definitely was a surprise to see the reaction we have had,” says Harte, a veteran of the car trade since 1979.
“I have seen it all,” he told The Irish Times.


theirishtimes--2020-06-09--Enda Kenny on grief in the age of coronavirus pandemic

Like most people who have spent a lifetime in politics , former taoiseach and Mayo TD Enda Kenny was no stranger to funerals and graveyards during a 45-year career .
Reflecting yesterday , Mr Kenny said there were “ literally thousands of occasions over the last 45 years ” where he and others in politics had “ seen tragedy and grief in all its forms ” .
Today , Mr Kenny will be unveiled as “ the voice ” of the Irish Hospice Foundation ’ s new national bereavement counselling service for those suffering loss .
The support line – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country – was set up by the foundation to provide comfort to those who were bereaved during the coronavirus pandemic , but forced to grieve alone .
Irish funerals are public events , with time-honoured traditions and rituals that bring comfort , where friendships are strengthened , acquaintances renewed and communities are unstinting in their support .
From Monday , some of the curbs on funerals have been relaxed .
The number of mourners has risen from 10 to 25 , but there are still no wakes , no house visit , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to voice radio advertisements for the service , Mr Kenny said grief , if not properly dealt with , can prolong agonies and dominate people ’ s lives .
“ Sometimes it is so deep that it takes a long time for people to kind of look at the rest of their lives , ” he said , “ to get that out of them is what the hospice is doing here ” .
The foundation “ bring out that grief ” and that is really important for their mental health and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ahead of the launch of the campaign .
“ Ireland does death , bereavement and grief very well , ” he explains .
“ We understand what the lump in the throat is , what the human tear is and what it is to talk and talk it out.
” Mr Kenny ’ s own political life was shaped by grief .
His father Harry Kenny died aged 62 in September 1975 and the young Enda Kenny , then just 24 , won the seat in a byelection .
Henry Kenny had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You never think that people will die , but when it came , it came as a shock , ” he said .
The six weeks between his father ’ s death and his own byelection win are still a “ blur ” in his mind .
During the years afterwards , he attended countless funerals – part of the duty of respect required and expected of rural deputies , if derided by others remote from such surroundings .
Sometimes , the greatest respect that could be shown for the departed , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of occasions ” where he sat in kitchens learning when to speak , or , as importantly , when not to say nothing at all .
In 2011 , the year he became taoiseach , he learned of the passing of his mother Eithne , who was 93 , as he was onboard the LE Róisín as it rounded Tuskar Rock in a gale .
They had just passed the lighthouse when the call came through .
Her own father had been a lighthouse keeper .
Nearly a decade on , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something to be able to see funeral remotely on the web , he said , but no substitute for the real thing .
“ You have to go into kitchens , you ’ ve got to hug them and shake hands with them .
“ We are all on the same conveyor belt and it can be so difficult for families .
Some people are grieving on their own and are absolutely lonely .
They need that human contact , ” he said .
The national freephone service ( 1800 80 70 77 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 10am to 1pm .

Former taoiseach Enda Kenny will be unveiled as ‘the voice’ of the Irish Hospice Foundation’s new national bereavement counselling service for those suffering loss. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Like most people who have spent a lifetime in politics, former taoiseach and Mayo TD Enda Kenny was no stranger to funerals and graveyards during a 45-year career.
Reflecting yesterday, Mr Kenny said there were “literally thousands of occasions over the last 45 years” where he and others in politics had “seen tragedy and grief in all its forms”.
Today, Mr Kenny will be unveiled as “the voice” of the Irish Hospice Foundation’s new national bereavement counselling service for those suffering loss.
The support line – the first of its kind in the country – was set up by the foundation to provide comfort to those who were bereaved during the coronavirus pandemic, but forced to grieve alone.
READ MORE
Irish funerals are public events, with time-honoured traditions and rituals that bring comfort, where friendships are strengthened, acquaintances renewed and communities are unstinting in their support.
From Monday, some of the curbs on funerals have been relaxed. The number of mourners has risen from 10 to 25, but there are still no wakes, no house visit, no shaking hands or embraces.
Having agreed to voice radio advertisements for the service, Mr Kenny said grief, if not properly dealt with, can prolong agonies and dominate people’s lives.
Human tear
“Sometimes it is so deep that it takes a long time for people to kind of look at the rest of their lives,” he said, “to get that out of them is what the hospice is doing here”.
The foundation “bring out that grief” and that is really important for their mental health and their wellbeing, he told The Irish Times, ahead of the launch of the campaign.
"Ireland does death, bereavement and grief very well," he explains. "We understand what the lump in the throat is, what the human tear is and what it is to talk and talk it out."
Mr Kenny’s own political life was shaped by grief. His father Henry Kenny died aged 62 in September 1975 and the young Enda Kenny, then just 24, won the seat in a byelection.
Henry Kenny had cancer for a short time. "You never think that people will die, but when it came, it came as a shock," he said. The six weeks between his father's death and his own byelection win are still a "blur" in his mind.
During the years afterwards, he attended countless funerals – part of the duty of respect required and expected of rural deputies, if derided by others remote from such surroundings.
Greatest respect
Sometimes, the greatest respect that could be shown for the departed, and those left behind were on those “hundreds of occasions” where he sat in kitchens learning when to speak, or, as importantly, when not to say nothing at all.
In 2011, the year he became taoiseach, he learned of the passing of his mother Eithne, who was 93, as he was onboard the LE Róisín as it rounded Tuskar Rock in a gale.
They had just passed the lighthouse when the call came through. Her own father had been a lighthouse keeper. Nearly a decade on, Mr Kenny remembers the moment.
It is something to be able to see funeral remotely on the web, he said, but no substitute for the real thing. “You have to go into kitchens, you’ve got to hug them and shake hands with them.
“We are all on the same conveyor belt and it can be so difficult for families. Some people are grieving on their own and are absolutely lonely. They need that human contact,” he said.
The national freephone service (1800 80 70 77) will be available Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm.