Press release
Briefing on the Government's response to COVID-19 - Friday 14 May 2021
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
Good morning,
So, finally, we are really getting there. Thanks to you and thanks to our vaccination programme. We have a little way to go but for now we are keeping the virus under control, the vaccine programme is gaining momentum and we are in a position to progress with the gradual and safe re-opening of our economy and society. This week saw a number of restrictions lifted, with an emphasis on outdoor activities and a moderate increase in social contact. Next week will see the full reopening of retail from Monday, May 17th and if we can keep going as we are, there is more to come in early June.
As everyone knows at this stage, the vaccination programme is a key enabler to the reopening of society and the economy. Last week saw the highest weekly total (235,000) and the passing of the milestone of 500,000 people fully vaccinated. Yesterday, we reached another significant milestone with 2 million vaccine doses administered.
Roll out is substantially progressed in those residents aged 65 and older and staff of Long-Term Residential Care Facilities, Front-Line Healthcare Workers and the over 70s. Roll out is also substantially progressed to the very high-risk group through vaccination centres, community vaccination teams and GPs. Almost 650,000 people have used online registration and HSELive to register for vaccinations to date.
Communities around the country have shown significant determination and have really rallied to get to this point where we can look forward to the weeks and months ahead. We would like to particularly acknowledge the communities in Donegal, who, a couple of weeks ago, had the highest rates of COVID in the country, the 14-day incidence rate there now has dropped from over 300 to around 241 with rates continuing to fall. This is a great example of how communities have worked together throughout this crisis to protect and support each other. It is clear that the famous meitheal is still strong right across the country as we navigate our way back to normality.
As I say each week, we have come a long way but we aren’t there yet. We are within touching distance now and sticking with the basics is our best chance of a summer with loosened restrictions and possibilities. COVID isn’t gone away, it’s clever, it will thrive and feed on our complacency. Our defences are better, you may have been vaccinated, but many still haven’t had the opportunity to be inoculated yet – so please let’s stay the course to give everyone that same chance and to feel the full benefits of the vaccination programme.
It’s important to know why we can be confident about vaccination and why it’s so important. We now have compelling evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are very effective in the real world. Based on all of the evidence from all around the world, we can be confident that large scale deployment over the coming weeks and months will impact very positively on the number of people getting COVID, ending up in hospital or losing their lives to the disease.
The development of vaccine has involved unprecedented worldwide collaboration, government and research resourcing on everything from the technology itself, the clinical trialling and safety assessment and monitoring. That’s why, when it’s your turn to receive a vaccine, you can trust that it is safe and effective.
Real-world data from Qatar and Israel shows that two doses of the Pfizer vaccine are extraordinarily effective (greater than 96%) at preventing severe or fatal disease. While data from Scotland suggests that Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are 91% and 88% effective at preventing hospitalisation 4 weeks after the first dose – it’s still important that you do receive your second dose in order to maintain your immunity over time. Also, a small study in the US found that, in people aged 65 and up who are fully vaccinated (2 doses), the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are 94% effective at preventing hospitalisation due to COVID-19.
Good news is also emerging with regard to the effect of vaccines on transmission, with one study suggesting they cut the spread in households by up to half. By getting vaccinated, you are helping to protect those around you.
Following government approval of NIAC’s advice, the HSE will offer all pregnant women, who are between 14 and 36 weeks, an mRNA vaccine (the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine). The vaccine will be offered following a discussion with their midwife, obstetrician or GP. Maternity Units have commenced contacting pregnant women between 14 and 36 weeks to offer them a vaccine. Women who are at least 34 weeks pregnant are being contacted first to ensure they have an opportunity to avail of the vaccine.
We ask that people are patient as Maternity Units work through their records to ensure everyone who is eligible, is offered the vaccine. People will be offered a vaccination appointment within 2-3 weeks of being contacted. Pregnant women will receive their first and second dose of the vaccine in a vaccination centre or hospital.
All of this means that, combined with basic public health measures that we all know like the back of our hand at this stage, vaccines are our path out of this pandemic.
As you will have heard in other news this morning, we also just want to mention that there has been a significant ransomware attack on the HSE IT systems. As a precaution, they have shut down IT systems in order to protect them. They have apologised for the inconvenience but have emphasised that vaccinations are not affected and will go ahead as planned.
Outside of the vaccine programme, if you have an appointment today or in the coming days for any HSE service you should attend unless you are specifically contacted and told not to. Emergency Departments are operating as normal and if you need to attend the hospital, please do so.
You should contact your local hospital if you have any concerns or queries on appointments or services.
TUSLA systems are also not currently operating. This includes email, internal systems, and the Portal through which child protection referrals are made. Again, this measure is for security reasons as the agency is hosted on the HSE ICT network. Any person wishing to make a referral about a child can do so by contacting the local Tusla office in their area.
This week we saw the welcome sight of so many businesses reopening after months with their doors shut. Many of us nabbed much sought-after appointments with our hairdressers, barbers and salons and we were able to click and collect from our favourite retailers again. From Monday, retail will reopen fully. We are excited to get back in to the shops but we must do so cautiously and remember that COVID-19 is still with us. We are not quite at “normal” yet so, remember:
• You still need to wear a face mask when shopping – even if you have been vaccinated
• Keep your distance from other shoppers, both while queueing and browsing in the shop
• Use hand sanitiser on entry and exit
• Please respect the staff – they have worked and are working tirelessly to keep us all safe through all of this
Clear guidance will be provided at each step of the path ahead to support a safe reopening. We are urging businesses to check out any updated guidance from Government which will be available in the coming days and weeks as they finalise their re-opening plans.
As Government has indicated, there will be no cliff edge in financial supports for businesses.
Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme
As regards existing supports, there are currently 48,700 employers registered with Revenue for the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme. To date, a total of over €3 billion in subsidies has been paid to 49,000 employers. An additional €510 million in employer PRSI has been forgone due to the reduced rate of PRSI on wages paid which are eligible for EWSS.
Covid Restrictions Support Scheme
In addition, to date 22,400 businesses have registered for Covid Restrictions Support Scheme with Revenue.
To assist with the additional costs of reopening, businesses resuming trading activities can now claim double the normal weekly CRSS payment rate, known as a ‘Restart Week’ payment, for a period of two weeks. So, if you are a business like a hairdresser that reopened last Monday, you can claim a ‘Restart Week’ payment, for each of the weeks commencing 10th May and 17th May.
The amount that may be claimed in respect of each ‘Restart Week’ is €5,000, the maximum weekly amount payable under the scheme.‘Restart Week’ payments can be claimed from Revenue via the eRepayments service in ROS. Payment will generally be made within 3 days of the submission of a qualifying claim.
Pandemic Unemployment Payment
This week, the Department of Social Protection has issued weekly payments to approximately 376,600 people in receipt of Pandemic Unemployment Payment. This payment is valued at €111.5 million. This is down from a peak of 481,331 people who were in receipt of the payment on the 9th of February.
To date, over €7.5 billion has been paid out in PUP since March 2020.
Closing your PUP Claim
Last week, some 12,200 people closed their claim as they are now returning to work with approximately 3,100 of these returning to the construction sector As the country begins to ease restrictions, I would like to remind workers who are returning to work that they must close their claim for the PUP on the actual date that they start back at work, in order to ensure that their claim is processed correctly and to avoid incurring an overpayment on their claim.
The quickest way to make a claim for PUP or to close a claim is to do so online and to log on www.MyWelfare.ie.
In recent weeks it is apparent from the PUP statistics that many people have closed their PUP claim in order to return to work. However, there has been some comment made by employers where they say that they are experiencing difficulties in hiring staff. Any employer who faces difficulties in re-hiring staff can notify the Department of Social Protection and the case will be followed up with the workers concerned.
Public Transport
As the easing of Covid restrictions continues, buses, trains and trams are becoming busier.
Capacity on public transport is still limited to 50%, so we’re asking customers, before they set out, to consider whether their journey is necessary, to ensure that there’s space for those who need it most. This is particularly the case at peak times when students are travelling to and from school and essential workers are trying to get to the workplace.
Our advice is to travel off-peak if at all possible. Plan your trip and leave yourself additional time so you can avoid crowds.
As demand for public transport increases, passengers’ continued co-operation in wearing a face covering on board public transport is more important than ever. We’re asking customers to comply with onboard signage, and to leave windows open where possible.
As we all venture out and about again, the OPW has announced that they are waiving admissions charges to all fee-paying open OPW heritage sites in line with the Government’s recovery and reopening plan outlined in The Path Ahead. This is a great opportunity to rediscover and enjoy the many OPW heritage sites, parks and museums spread across the country as we plan our staycations this summer. This is effective immediately and will remain in place until the end of the year.
It is recognised that for sixth year students the formal ending of time in school, is traditionally marked by schools and students in graduation ceremonies or other forms of celebration at the end of the school year.
Schools have been advised that they can continue to hold end of year graduation ceremonies for sixth year students, however it will not be possible for schools to carry these out in the traditional format. It is important that schools continue to implement key infection prevention control measures to minimise the spread of COVID-19.
Schools should not have end of year graduations ceremonies for sixth year students in whole year groups or facilitate the attendance of parents or other family members either on the school premises or in any other locations.
It is very important not to carry out any activities that may put sixth year students at risk of exposure to COVID-19 particularly in the last remaining days before the commencement of the Leaving Certificate examinations. Schools are also asked to strongly encourage students to act responsibly and not to attend any social events or gatherings which greatly increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Our collective efforts are really paying dividends. Our hard work is paying off. Because of this, we go in to another weekend with more options on what we can do. Whatever it is you choose to do, be it a coffee in the park with a friend, a walk on the beach or an appointment with your hairdresser or a visit down the country- do it safely and compliantly. The vaccination programme is gaining momentum and will reach all corners of society so we must give it the chance to reach each and every one of us and our families and friends.
Remember the Thomas Edison quote - ‘many of life’s failures are people who did not realise how close they were to success when they gave up’
We have come too far now to fall at this final hurdle. We are so close. Enjoy the freedoms at each step of the path ahead but we still need a small bit more perseverance. Stick with what we know works in terms of the public health measures and those brighter days will be ours to enjoy soon.
Stay safe.
Thank you