Latest news with #Covid-19Evaluation
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Covid-19 Evaluation chairwoman says decision-makers' engagements will not be aired in public
Senior decision-makers engagement with Ireland's pandemic review will not be aired in public, chairwoman of the Covid-19 Evaluation Professor Anne Scott said. She was issuing an appeal to the public to share their experience of the Covid-19 pandemic between now and July.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
No public grilling of Covid pandemic chiefs as inquiry invites public to share pandemic experience
Professor Anne Scott, who is chair of Ireland's Covid-19 Evaluation, was speaking as she launched a nationwide public consultation, inviting individuals, families, workers, carers, communities and businesses to share their experiences of the pandemic. She said the evaluation will be non-adversarial and non-statutory and its purpose is to 'learn lessons from the pandemic by examining Ireland's response and impacts across the health and care system, wider society and the economy'. This consultation is one element of a wider programme of work, insights gathered will inform the Evaluation's final report, which will be a comprehensive, evidence-based analysis to help Ireland prepare more effectively for future emergencies, she added.. 'Today we are inviting members of the public to share their experiences of the pandemic. This is the first step in building a clear and honest picture of how Covid-19 was lived and felt by individuals, families and communities throughout Ireland. Our goal is to produce a thorough, independent assessment of Ireland's pandemic response. One that reflects real life as well as official records. 'While several reports and analyses have already been produced, there has been no single overview of the full impact of Covid-19 on Irish society. By reviewing existing documentation, drawing on international and national research, and engaging directly with key decision makers, we aim to understand what worked and what didn't. 'It's about learning — and making sure Ireland is better prepared for the future.' Asked about how it will operate she said there will no opening hearings. Some round table discussions will be streamed on its website. These could include stakeholder organisations in discussion with the expert panel. A special module on nursing homes is planned and it is expected a private session in a special venue will involve invitations to people who have been bereaved or suffered distress at a time when the pandemic was at its height and serious restrictions were in place to tell their story. However, asked if questioning of key figures such as former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan or former HSE chief Paul Reid will be open to view she said these will all take place in private. No person will be named in the final report and there will be no accountability. She believed the non statutory nature of the inquiry will lead to more engagement. She said she has already secured number of documents from Government departments and other public service agencies. She can request cabinet memos and the meetings of cabinet committees. She said the evaluation is supported by a multidisciplinary panel of national and international experts. They include Professor David Heymann, an epidemiologist and public health experts from the UK. The others are Dr Nat O'Connor, a lecturer and assistant professor of social policy in UCD and Prof Bert Gordijn, Director of the Institute of Ethics at Dublin City University and Dr Nora Strecker of UCD's School of Economics. The link online for those who want to share their experience is The consultation is open to all adults across the country.A separate consultation is planned for children. She said it offers an opportunity for people to share how the pandemic response impacted them to inform future learnings. Individuals can respond through an online survey or written submission. Stakeholder organisations are also invited to contribute formal submissions. She added that the evaluation 'will build a detailed understanding of Ireland's response across the health and care sector, society and the economy. It will draw on a wide range of inputs, including requested documentation, research, and lived experience, to produce a final report within 12-18 months. The consultation is now open and will run until 1 July. Individuals and organisations can participate at
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Limited scope of covid evaluation may not judge if key decisions were right or wrong
The limited scope of the covid evaluation was laid bare during a first briefing on how it will operate, with those overseeing it admitting they can only "hope" the Government will act on recommendations made. The briefing, which also saw the launch of a public consultation, outlined how the process is expected to last around 18 months. Panel chair Anne Scott cautioned the panel has already received 'voluminous' amounts of files. A key worry for many families who lost relatives during the pandemic is witnesses cannot be compelled to attend. Prof Scott argued this approach creates 'a more open, more flexible dynamic' and means nobody needs legal representation. However, it means people from the Government, healthcare, or nursing homes could chose not to attend. When asked about this, Prof Scott said only the panel could 'potentially or partly' note a refusal in its report. There could be recommendations for further work. Prof Scott described the report as 'an actionable report' with practical recommendations. However, she said: 'We would expect that to be published and actioned by the Taoiseach. Beyond that, I really can't comment in terms of what the Government at the time will do with the recommendations "But we would hope they will be actioned," she said. 'Meaningful Christmas' It also appears the report may not judge whether key decision points were categorically right or wrong — including the 2020 "meaningful Christmas". It is expected instead to focus on how decisions were made and learning how to deal with future pandemics. Names will not be used in the report, although it is possible people may be directly quoted if they give permission. This means comments from people such as Micheál Martin, Leo Varadkar, or Dr Tony Holohan may not be attributed in the document. It is understood transcripts of interviews will not be available. Members of the public, including bereaved families, will be offered a safe space in a private forum to speak with the panel. It is not clear whether families can request to speak in public. Prof Scott said only the panel could 'potentially or partly' note a refusal in its report. There could be recommendations for further work. The evaluation team has been gathering data from government agencies and departments. These documents will not be made public. There will be occasional livestreams of roundtable discussions to share updates, with the first one set for June. These will not include interviews, and it is not yet known who will take part in this sole public-facing part of the process. The public has been invited to share their experiences on the pandemic between now and July. People can do this online at the Covid-19 Evaluation website, or they can write to the panel or speak on the telephone. It is open to adults over the age of 18. It is understood a way for teenagers aged 15 to 18 to respond will be developed. The panel also comprises of Prof David Heymann, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Dr Nat O' Connor and Dr Nora Strecker from University College Dublin; as well as Prof Bert Gordijn, Dublin City University. Other experts from Ireland and abroad are supporting the panel. Secretariat support is given by civil servants seconded to the team. Access the public consultation at
