Ireland’s National Action Plan in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update 16th March 2020

Prepared by the Department of the Contents Part 1. 14 Delivering a multi-agency response to COVID-19. 14 1. Introduction...... 04 Action 1: Actions for everyone...... 13 Action 2: Cross-Cutting Actions ...... 16 . . . 2 . What is COVID-19 and what we know about the virus . . . . 05 . Action 3: Communications ...... 20 . . . 3 . Public Solidarity and Awareness: how the public can Action 4: Caring for our people who are ‘At Risk’ or Vulnerable ...... 23 . . Action 5: Caring for people in Acute Services ...... 28 . . . reduce the threat of COVID-19, what we can do? ...... 06 . Action 6: Expanding & protecting our health workforce and essential workers ...... 31 . 4 . ’s Cross-Government approach in responding Priority Action 7: Expanding critical physical capacity...... 34 Action 8: Maintaining access to essential health products, equipment and services . . . . . 36 . to COVID-19 and publication of this Action Plan ...... 08. . Action 9: Utilising legislative powers to support response ...... 39 . .

Part 2. 40 Dealing with the downstream impact of COVID-19. 40

Business Continuity Planning across the Public Service...... 41 Essential Services and Utilities ...... 43. . . . Supply Chains ...... 47 . . . . Security, Defence & the Courts ...... 49 . . .

Banking and Financial Services...... 53 Sectoral Services...... 54 Economy, Employee and Business Supports ...... 54 . .

2 3 1 . Introduction 2 . What is COVID-19 and what we know about the virus

As a society we are in uncharted territory as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Not for generations Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some of which cause illnesses which range from has Ireland and the globe been faced with a pandemic like this. the common cold to much more severe respiratory illnesses, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). COVID-19 is a new disease caused by a strain of coronavirus not seen in humans before December 2019. As such, there is a lack of immunity in the population which means that we The unique nature and speed of this pandemic means that the two most important ways by which are all susceptible to infection and, with no vaccine currently available, COVID-19 has the potential we can fight this disease are through determinedpublic health-mandated measures and changing our to spread widely. individual and collective behaviours .

People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus, through inhaling small droplets from Since COVID-19 emerged globally only a short time ago, Ireland has taken, and will continue to take, people who cough or sneeze, or through touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their several important, robust and determined public health decisions and actions to contain, delay and face . prepare for mitigating this virus. Our health and social care services will continue to lead the way in driving the public health approach to COVID-19, using evidence to predict the best responses for Ireland, communicating with everyone, as well as testing, tracing and caring for those who are Its symptoms, which can take up to 14 days to show, may include a cough, shortness of breath, affected by this disease. breathing difficulties and fever (high temperature). Information from the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) suggests that–

• 80% of people infected will experience a mild to moderate illness, which can be managed Now is the time for solidarity, community spirit, personal behavioural change and resilience in combatting this infection. We can all play our part in trying to delay the transmission of COVID-19. at home and will make a full recovery, We are a nation of sociable people and it is difficult to accept that we must now change our • 14% of patients may experience more severe symptoms, behaviour to self-distance, self-isolate, and avoid our normal social activities, such as staying home from school, out of pubs, away from sporting activities and working from home. • 6% of people may become more seriously infected and will require hospital care.

However, this is not an optional change of lifestyle, it is an absolute necessity. If we want to halt How concerned should we be? the spread of COVID-19 it is for all of us to act responsibly in our day-to-day lives, listen to what our According to the ECDC, the risk of occurrence of widespread national community transmission of public health officials, international health organisations (WHO and ECDC) and trusted media tell us COVID-19 in the EU/EEA and UK in the coming weeks is high. The virus is spreading, and we do and act accordingly. not have detailed and complete understanding of the disease, given that this is a new and emerging virus.

COVID-19 knows no boundaries. All generations must come together and support each other in the fight against this disease. Working together we will prevail. While it is not yet known definitively which groups are most at risk of complications if they catch COVID-19, we know that older people and those who have a pre-existing medical condition (e.g. heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, liver disease etc.) are at risk. As a result, these people in our society are referred to in this Plan as being in ‘vulnerable groups’. Children can be infected and become ill but seem less susceptible than persons over the age of 20 years.

4 5 3 . Public Solidarity and Awareness: how the public can reduce Community solidarity the threat of COVID-19, what we can do? Everyone can, and must, play his or her part in combatting COVID-19. Solidarity, cohesion and determination on the part of everyone will assist in limiting the spread of this virus and protect the nation. Our voluntary and community organisations are at the heart of the State’s coordinated response to COVID-19, in caring for each other. We know that while there has been a rapid spread of COVID-19, initially in China and more recently in Italy and Spain, the disease has spread more slowly in certain other countries. This indicates that, with the appropriate concerted and coordinated national response, there is scope for Ireland to reduce the spread of infection and minimise the impact for everyone and especially those in our society Let us not forget that it is our healthcare workers that are at the coalface of the response to this who are most likely to be affected more seriously by the disease (our ‘at risk or vulnerable groups’). outbreak. Every day, they put themselves at risk to advise us on how to protect ourselves and An Taoiseach in his statement to the public on 12th March reinforced the need for social distancing everyone around us, and then they care for us should we become infected and need treatment. It measures, similar to those in use in many countries, as a means of slowing down the rapid spread of is important that, as a society, we stand behind and show solidarity for our healthcare workers and the virus. carers, our health service, and workers who provide other essential services to ensure that our daily lives are impacted as little as possible.

Our collective responsibility to protect ourselves and everyone around us While it is important that we protect the whole of society from COVID-19 infection, the majority The whole world has quickly come to recognise that COVID-19 is highly contagious and as such poses of us who become infected will make a full recovery. However, for those in our society who are at a unique and unprecedented challenge at this time for the health and wellbeing of the human race. greater risk (i.e. those in more vulnerable groups), we have to make a determined effort. Because this COVID-19 infection is so new, there are currently no specific medicines or vaccines to treat or protect against this illness. While, there are several clinical trials ongoing globally to assess the effectiveness of different treatment options, it will take some time for these to be developed, Our health and social care services will need to deliver new and innovative care and supports tested as safe and ready for use. to vulnerable groups, tailored specifically to COVID-19 (e.g. through COVID-19 Clinical Hubs, community-based responses, primary care practitioners etc.), especially for those who may have to limit their normal daily routine to protect themselves or those recovering from infection at We also have to remember that COVID-19 is different to the seasonal flu that circulates in Ireland home. We are adopting a nationwide cohesive approach, in close collaboration with voluntary and every year. This is a new viral disease and as such, people in Ireland do not have any existing immunity community organisations, such as charities, local voluntary groups, volunteers, local businesses and so the regular health service activities and response, and actions that we take every year to protect wide range of individuals and organisations to contribute to the national effort in supporting those ourselves from seasonal flu are not enough for COVID-19. more vulnerable people in their communities.

Consequently, the most important ‘tool in our arsenal’ against this disease is our long-standing Also, people who may be more socially vulnerable (e.g. people who live in sheltered housing, those tradition in Ireland as a society, of being compassionate and caring, and our ability to work together engaging with addiction services or homeless services, people who are in centres for the protection of all. The most important actions that we all can, and must, take to protect and people in prisons or detention centres) will also need additional supports and arrangements in ourselves and others from getting COVID-19 include: washing our hands frequently; practising good the context of COVID-19. respiratory hygiene and engaging in social distancing (i.e. leaving at least 1 metre (3 feet) but ideally 2m (6 feet) distance between ourselves and other people especially in the context of keeping distance from symptomatic individuals; and avoiding touching our faces). Already people across the country Communicating effectively are adopting these new behavioural practices, out of responsibility and care for each other and it is this mass behavioural change that gives us the best possible chance, collectively as a country, of Communication plays a vital part in limiting this virus; we all have a social responsibility to educate fighting this disease. ourselves and others about COVID-19 so that we can protect everyone from catching the infection. Trusted sources of information are those providing advice and information which is public health-led and based on sound scientific evidence. These include websites of the Government, HSE and health agencies, official posters and leaflets in public places, as well as reputable news organisations. It is important not to rely on or share unknown and unsourced commentary for your updates.

6 7 The actions being taken within the health service and across Government are driven by three primary goals: Websites with trusted information for the public are the , the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre’s websites are all listed onwww.Gov.ie. 1) to minimise the risk of becoming unwell for all people in Ireland;

2) to minimise, in particular, the health, wellbeing and social impact for people in Ireland who may be at greater risk from COVID-19 through minimising the risk of illness for them while working to maintain their quality of life; and 4 . Ireland’s Cross-Government approach in responding to 3) to minimise the social and economic disruption associated with the COVID-19 outbreak COVID-19 and publication of this Action Plan and the public health measures needed to respond to it.

Actions to Date The public health framework underpinning Ireland’s cross-Government approach to COVID-19 response is three phased as per Table 1 below and aims to direct the immediate actions that need Since COVID-19 first emerged in China about 12 weeks ago, Ireland, working in close collaboration to be taken; ground contingency planning as the infection progresses in the specifics of COVID-19 with EU and international health organisations (WHO and ECDC) has been monitoring the evolving response; and guide decision-making so that it is appropriate, proportionate and timely to ensure global situation, responding to the spread of infection and preparing for its impact in Ireland. The that health and wider actions are deployed at the right time to have the most beneficial impact for arrival of COVID-19 in Ireland was not unexpected, and work had been underway to prepare for this everyone. eventuality, with public health protocols in place since January and operating effectively. The first case of COVID-19 in Ireland was notified on 29 February 2020.

Table 1

Like all other countries, the scale of the challenge facing the health system in Ireland is 3 Phases Containment Phase Delay Phase Mitigation Phase unprecedented. Consequently, robust planning and preparation will help us to respond in the best (limited local (Localised but emerging (Widespread possible way as the disease progresses. transmission) outbreaks) sustained transmission)

The focus of the heath service response to date has been and will continue to be on containing Objective of Block transmission and Slow down Mitigate outbreak the spread of the virus and minimising its impact. This has included a combination of public Response prevent further spread transmission of the virus; impact, provide by early protect vulnerable essential services, health measures, including: awareness-raising in the population and risk communication; detection of populations through prioritise protection infection prevention and control measures in healthcare settings; providing detailed guidance to imported or local cases. preventive measures and of most vulnerable, individuals returning from areas which have notified cases; rapid identification, testing, diagnosis clinical management reduce excess and management of each individual case and the identification and follow up of their contacts; options; reduce burden mortality. undertaking modelling to estimate the potential impact of COVID-19 on Ireland; as well as taking on health system. decisions and action to mitigate the impact of the outbreak, through individual and population-based measures to prevent the spread of infection.

In addition to reducing the number of people who become infected as much as possible, slowing the rate of spread of this disease is the key objective for Ireland as a society. This will help to ensure that the health and social care system is better able to provide care to COVID-19 affected patients Approach in responding to COVID-19 and developing this Action Plan and meet ongoing care needs of other patients. It will also provide more time for a vaccine against At its heart, Ireland’s response to COVID-19 is cross-Government and public health-led, founded on COVID-19 or other antiviral medicines to treat the infection, to be developed and manufactured. well-established and evidence-based approaches in dealing with outbreaks of infectious disease. Slowing the spread of infection will also delay the peak of the epidemic and minimise the duration of the disruption across our society and to our economy.

8 9 Central to Ireland’s approach to date, and continuing under this Plan, will be public health measures experience, expertise and learning from responses to previous infectious threats (SARS, MERS, such as: case detection, expanding the testing of individuals for COVID-19 infection; enhancing Ebola and the H1N1 influenza pandemic) and plans developed for dealing with those previous contact tracing to identify, monitor and contain the further spread of disease; utilising advanced pandemics. In addition, the approach is informed by international collaboration and learning from modelling and surveillance to provide timely information about the evolving impact across Ireland so the experience of other countries where COVID-19 outbreaks are more advanced and is founded as to enable rapid planning, decision-making and response. upon guidance and evidence from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Principles underpinning Ireland’s approach in planning our response to COVID-19 It is a specifically tailored and “live” Action Plan designed to respond to the unique challenges posed The success of Ireland’s national approach depends on us all acting collectively and responsibly to by the progression of the COVID-19 outbreak in terms what actions are underway (or already reduce the risk for ourselves and everyone around us. Our national approach is guided by– completed) and those which need action now so that the country is prepared for the coming weeks • .the need for us all to understand, and work in solidarity with each other, to minimise illness and months. Many of the actions contained in this Plan are dynamic and relevant across all phases; for everyone, but especially those who are at higher risk or are in vulnerable groups; containment, delay and mitigation. This means that some containment measures are still applicable and valuable while others will only be required at a later point in the case of concern about • .ensuring that the cross-Government COVID-19 response is public health-led and aligned to significant community transmission. support our health service, our healthcare workers and all essential workers;

• solid ethical principles to ensure that Ireland’s response is open, transparent, rational, inclusive and responsive, in order to minimise harm, respect individual freedoms and Stakeholder Forum ensure fairness in relation to the use of resources. A Stakeholder Forum chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach has been established. This is an authoritative platform to disseminate important public health information and support public health measures; as well as to inform Government on emerging downstream social and economic impacts of Covid-19 in Ireland. The Stakeholder Forum comprises bodies from a wide variety of sectors Developing a coherent public health-led Plan for Ireland (business, education, health, childcare and social services, sport, tourism etc.) with membership In response to the unprecedented speed of the spread of COVID-19 globally, concurrently there has currently at 120 organisations. been rapid and intensive cross-Government preparation and planning to deliver a whole-of-society response in seeking to combat the disease. This is culminating in an extensive range of joined-up concerted actions and mobilisation of resources across Government and society. This Stakeholder Forum has been convened in on 3 occasions since Monday 2nd March. All sessions have been well attended. Further sessions, most likely via teleconference will convene as required. Importantly, public health measures are the lynchpin of this Action Plan. At the core of Ireland’s COVID-19 response and this Plan is a commitment to robust and continuing public health actions including testing individuals, contact tracing, modelling and surveillance to estimate the potential The Stakeholder forum has provided an opportunity for Government to respond to concerns and impact, communicating evolving public health messages and maintaining public awareness so that we questions and for stakeholders to support the amplification of key messages through the use of can adapt our public health response as flexibly as possible. collateral provided, through online forums and through stakeholder networks.

So far, the Government has made a €3 billion aid package available to combat the effects of Governance and decision-making COVID-19. This funding includes €2.4 billion to fund sick pay for workers affected by COVID-19 as well as €435 million contingency funding for the HSE. Ireland’s national response to COVID-19 is supported by a dedicated governance structure to ensure a public health-led, whole-of-society approach (see governance structure). The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) for COVID-19 met for the first time on 27 January 2020. The cross-Government Actions set out in this Plan recognise that the scale and nature of the response Chaired by the Chief Medical Officer, it oversees and provides direction, guidance, support and will change as transmission of the disease in Ireland changes. This Action Plan draws from Ireland’s expert advice on the development and implementation of a strategy to respond to COVID-19 in Ireland. The NPHET is supported by an Expert Advisory Group and a number of subgroups. The

10 11 NPHET works closely with the HSE National Crisis Management Team which leads and manages the Governance Structure for COVID-19 National Response HSE’s response.

The Government established the Special Committee on COVID-19 Response chaired by the Cabinet Committee Taoiseach on 3 March 2020. The Committee is being supported by a committee of senior officials across all Departments and the Health Service and a dedicated Communications Group which coordinates a whole-of-Government communications response. Acute Hospital Preparedness Subgroup

Medicines and Medical Key to enabling evidence-based decisions regarding how best to respond to COVID-19, is our capacity Devices Subgroup to use mathematical modelling to predict the disease’s potential impact on our people. This is done by using data from outbreaks already seen in more severely affected countries, informed by demographic Vulnerable People Senior Officials Group

information regarding the Irish population. In order to progress this important work, the Irish Subgroup Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group has been established, comprised of leading experts from academia, the ESRI, the Chief Scientific Officer, HSE, HPSC and others. Decisions to adapt and ‘step WorkforceHSE Health PSubgrouprotection Surveillance Centre up’ Ireland’s COVID response are informed by this modelling expertise, public health advice as well as Communications Group learning from international guidance and evidence. Public Health Subgroup

Health Legislation

In conclusion, for Ireland to have the best opportunity to prevail in containing, delaying and mitigating Subgroup National Public Health Emergency Team this disease, and vital to this Plan, is that individually we must change our behaviour, be socially Bioethics Subgroup responsible, work together, listen to advice from trusted sources and maintain our wellbeing and resilience to push through this unprecedented outbreak. Behavioural Change

Subgroup

Expert Advisory Group Evidence Synthesis This Plan reinforces our commitment across Government. Subgroup

Guideline Development Subgroup HSE National Crisis Irish Epidemiological Management Team Modelling Advisory Subgroup

Sources of evidence, data and guidance

World Health HSE Health Protection European Centre for

Organisation Surveillance Centre Disease Control

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Delivering a multi-agency response to COVID-19

14 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) All Action now for Later for now Action Know how to manage a typical manage to how Know follow at home and patient COVID-19 advice self-isolation Know where to get information and information get to where Know to how about advice official Irish follow and others yourself protect social distancing Extend additional supports and Understand groups vulnerable for required measures Adopt and continue to follow key hygiene behaviours behaviours hygiene key follow to and continue Adopt Accept that the advice for managing COVID-19 for most people will most people for managing COVID-19 for the advice that Accept medicines over-the-counter and simple be self-isolation people to protect on how and information website Check HSE (hand washing, respiratory hygiene, social distancing) hygiene, respiratory washing, (hand who may be vulnerable and at greatest risk from the infection risk from greatest and at vulnerable be who may Keep informed of public health advice coming through Communications actions (Action 3) actions Communications through coming public health advice of informed Keep Know facts about virus about facts Know

Create a plan for your household if you you household if your a plan for Create home from work home or at stay need to it is spread and how HSE, HPSC, Government, of websites e.g. sources trusted from health advice updated to monitor Continue organisations news helpline, reputable HSELive in public places, posters yellow HSE COVID-19 WHO & ECDC, being implemented / Currently Completed Action Framework Action everyone for Actions 1: Action Action Area Action Adopt to behaviours virus interrupt transmission

13 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) All All Including organisations Key organisations and people (lead in bold) All Including organisations

Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Stay connected into social supports into connected Stay Limit community movement and adapt and adapt movement Limit community routine activities in disruptions to as closures) work school and/or (e.g. Authorities the Health advised by and level community at provided media through

Solidarity and caring for your community, minimising harm, duty to provide care, proportionality care, provide to minimising harm, duty community, your and caring for Solidarity Key messages for target groups and tailor those messages to the specific target group the specific target to those messages and tailor groups target for messages Key Advice will be updated, tailored or adapted, based on data and evolving disease situation and evolving based on data adapted, or tailored will be updated, Advice Get connected to national and local national to connected Get Access trusted media, online and social media network trusted Access networks your with and updates public health advice trusted Share Do not share text messages, social media or stories unless they come from a trusted information source information a trusted from come unless they stories social media or messages, text share not Do Identify vulnerable people among your family, friends and wider community and help them to stay informed to stay and help them community wider friends and family, your people among vulnerable Identify provided at home, based on advice ones loved and yourself after and look situation the evolving for Plan (Action 3) actions Communications through and supports, ensure social networks up-to-date lists are contact your vulnerable the for to care campaigns and activities solidarity and support community involved Get area your in and advice and access resilience, wellbeing and mental others’ own and your look after to ways of aware Be providers health service mental and other Ireland Health HSE, Mental supports from your within services providing in workers essential other and workers healthcare essential your Support community

being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Communications: principles: Ethical Action Area Action Action Area Action Adopt to behaviours virus interrupt transmission solidarity Build and community support networks Build solidarity solidarity Build and community support networks . ) (Contd Enablers Key

14 15 HSE HSE , HSE, , HSE, Chief Chief HSE, , , HSE, D/ , HSE DAFM, DAFM, , HPSC, , DAFM , DAFM , DOD, , HPSC , HPSC All , DOH, Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DOH DCCAE, D/Taoiseach, DOD HSE DAFM HSE HSE DOH, HSE Forces Defence and Government Departments DOH Scientific Officer, Academia, HPSC, ESRI Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DOH All Taoiseach, Government Departments HSE, Others HSE HSE DOH, DOH HSE Government Deptartments Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Examine establishing a national sero- Examine establishing a national unit and serum bank to epidemiological age-specific immunity population estimate of prioritisation – for past exposure or available) (when vaccination to capacity tracing contact Upscale cases and in confirmed increase manage training necessary provide Deliver enhanced public health-led enhanced Deliver across and advices responses e.g. and society Government social distancing extending advising on differing recommendations, to regions according in different responses local disease patterns Expand infectious disease modelling Expand infectious the HPSC into capacity Drive the work of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group led by DOH, HSE and HPSC to expand DOH, HSEexpand and HPSC to led by Group Advisory Modelling Epidemiological the Irish of work the Drive countries affected severely seen in more already outbreaks from using data modelling capacity, the mathematic best decisions on how impact and enable evidence-based the likely predict to demographics, Irish by and informed COVID-19 to respond to Continue and expand contact tracing tracing contact expand and Continue further contain and monitor identify, to spread Immediately resource and prioritise public health surveillance and reporting activities regarding COVID-19 regarding reporting activities and and prioritise public health surveillance resource Immediately Continue to deliver a public health-led evidence-based Government-wide response to COVID-19, including COVID-19, to response Government-wide evidence-based a public health-led to deliver Continue planning, contingency actions, and steer immediate drive Government, advise across to enabling the NPHET decision-making and proportionate as appropriate well as clinical and administrative increasing by workforce Health expand and support HSE Public to Continue health service wider and support to guidance advice, strategic provide to staffing testing community-delivered widespread of roll-out for and plan hospital lab testing of expansion Ongoing Ensure parity of status, training and career structure for specialists in public health medicine, so that they are are they specialists in public health medicine, so that for structure and career training status, of parity Ensure response COVID-19 the health service lead and direct strategically to empowered appropriately communications, leadership, health service provide to COVID-19 around medical leaders together Bring expertise Deliver and continue to expand testing of individuals to the maximum extent, as a core part core as a extent, to the maximum of individuals testing expand to and continue Deliver the public health response of Increase our capacity to model disease to capacity our Increase are responses ensure to progression to with and proportionate aligned situation evolving Engage with other Government Departments and sectors to support and expand contact tracing, testing, testing, tracing, contact support and expand to and sectors Departments Government with other Engage and skills expertise through public health capacity, Enhance our ongoing disease surveillance and real-time data collection by Public Health Departments to the Departments Health Public by collection data and real-time disease surveillance ongoing our Enhance by NPHET rapid planning and decision making enabling information timely provide HPSC to being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Action 2: Cross-Cutting Actions 2: Cross-Cutting Action Action Area Action Action Area Action Building up our up our Building public health activities Build solidarity solidarity Build and community support networks

16 17 , HSE, DOH, , DOH , DOH , private , DOH, HSE HSE HSE HSE HSE HSE 38 providers, and 39 providers HSE, GPs HSE Pharmacists HSE Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DOH DES (Clinical/ Academics) DOH DOH DOH Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Minimising harm, fairness, privacy, solidarity privacy, harm, fairness, Minimising Prompt and effective communication with all stakeholders communication and effective Prompt Continue to develop and implement an agreed clinical model of care to support the management of the of to support the management care of clinical model an agreed and implement to develop Continue of and treatment the assessment and manage spread prevent which seeks to COVID-19 to response overall as possible far as community in the patients services transplant and organ CF obstetrics, cancer, specialties including trauma, for services ongoing Ensure Continue to develop and expand the suite of protocols and guidance for healthcare workers workers healthcare for and guidance protocols of expand the suite and to develop Continue facilities, from care admission and discharge for criteria patients, symptomatic for pathways care (e.g. workers) healthcare protect to IPC guidance appropriate Maintain urgent (elective) activity including urgent diagnostics, cancer rapid access clinics and dialysis rapid diagnostics, cancer urgent including activity (elective) urgent Maintain to being admitted patients oncology of the number reduce specialists to clinical nurse oncology acute Engage Departments Emergency admissions through unnecessary avoid and to services acute health, mental care, palliative community groups, vulnerable socially including for care community Maintain specialist within our people and those older for care / long-term home support and short-term / transitional services disability patients of care essential on-going in delivering practice general Support patients of care on-going pharmacists in delivering community Support access healthcare to maintain transport patient essential of provision Ensure Establish a dedicated programme with experienced evidence synthesis centres, nationally and internationally, and internationally, nationally centres, synthesis evidence with experienced programme a dedicated Establish reviews evidence expedited deliver to Engage with experts in behavioural economics and in health literacy to ensure that evidence is incorporated is incorporated evidence that ensure to and in health literacy economics in behavioural with experts Engage Responses. COVID-19 other and communications planning, into optimally 2020 and Innovative (Horizon Commission the European calls by research in targeted involvement Support response the clinical and public health for knowledge to advance Initiative) Medicines call research rapid-response a collaborative explore to together funding agencies research Bring Communications: being implemented / Currently Completed enable policy, COVID-19 isolation support and maintain tracing capacity, contact to enable ICT sufficient Provide ICT: workers healthcare by practices and telemedicine phone triage principles: Ethical being implemented / Currently Completed

Action Area Action Action Area Action Maintaining Maintaining critical and services ongoing essential for care patient Implementing Implementing model of our and care for guidance health service and providers healthcare workers Key Other Other Key Enablers: Harness the Harness the of capacity and research evidence to community support immediate decision making ensure and to is Ireland for prepared threats future

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DOH, HSE, Depts, All Health Agencies sector Health organisations Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DOH, HSE Depts, All - Agen Health cies sector Health organisations DOH, HSE Depts, All Health Agencies sector Health organisations DOH, HSE Depts, All Health Agencies sector Health organisations Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Tailor messaging on measures that can that messaging on measures Tailor older vulnerable, the protect to be taken with disabilities and people, people physical considering workers, healthcare well-being and mental Continue to highlight individual actions to highlight Continue prevention for on public messages Communicate recoveries Communicate to the public about how the public about how to Communicate infection a suspected in case of respond to Address public concerns and message and message public concerns Address in certain groups for including fatigue people etc.) young teenagers, (e.g. society misinformation address Continuously Understand and respond to emerging concerns emerging to and respond Understand phase next messaging and planning for of development into Feed activity solidarity community Support Share information with key stakeholders and networks stakeholders key with information Share providers and health service workers with healthcare in risk communication Engage and groups organisations with key virtual networking and remote and deliver for Plan Communicate facts about COVID-19, about COVID-19, facts Communicate and preventative severity transmissibility, measures of the introduction to Respond clusters individual cases or Communicate public health actions Communicate the public should and that being taken contain, to to measures to adapt continue the outbreak and mitigate delay Engage in two-way communication with public and stakeholders communication in two-way Engage and updates public health messages key and amplify Disseminate Promote empathetic community engagement to detect and rapidly respond to public concerns, concerns, to public respond rapidly and to detect engagement community empathetic Promote fatigue and message misinformation meet to channels communication and use tailored people, and identify with older effectively Communicate regions different of to the needs as tailoring communications well needs, as their Ireland working in living and overseas people from for languages other in messages communication Tailor trusted from advice COVID-19 local follow they so that overseas tourists currently and citizens Irish and for sources providers, channels including mobile service communication SMS / text Maximise etc. alert services text community being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Action 3: Communications 3: Action

. Action Area Action Action Area Action Public Public communication campaign on focused driving behavioural and change communicating with vulnerable people Stakeholder Stakeholder Engagements the to Listening public through media, social media monitoring, groups focus etc Social Media Social

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, , s39 , DOH, All All Departments HSE DJE, agencies, Others DCYA, HSE DTTS DOD, HSE Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DOH, HSE Depts, All Health Agencies sector Health organisations DOH, HSE Revenue Commissioners Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Deliver increasing amount amount increasing Deliver for and treatment assessment of to moderate with mild patients COVID-19 with chronic patients illness or respiratory COVID-19, to due illness and complications in sub-acute care of including the provision beds community Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Address public concerns, misinformation misinformation public concerns, Address fatigue and message Address public concerns, misinformation misinformation public concerns, Address fatigue and message Deliver, based on protocols, based on protocols, Deliver, COVID-19 of / treatment assessment to moderate with mild patients illness chronic patients illness or respiratory COVID-19, to due and complications in sub-acute care of including provision beds community Minimising harm, proportionality, solidarity, privacy solidarity, harm, proportionality, Minimising Plan and implement measures for, and continue to identify at risk vulnerable groups and the socially vulnerable at risk to identify and continue for, measures and implement Plan services health and social care receiving including those not vulnerable, COVID-19 to related requirements additional support out and expand Roll Government across organisations and enable mobilised for, specific arrangements to put in place Continue meeting the specific in staff, supporting with essential in conjunction sector, voluntary and and the community health mental homeless services, housing, addiction services, sheltered people (e.g. vulnerable socially needs of living arrangements) with non-standard campuses and those prisons, detention centres, provision direct services, supports based on need and expand Deliver Roll-out and deploy as soon as possible the network of c.30 Community COVID-19 Clinical Hubs nationally nationally Clinical Hubs COVID-19 c.30 Community of as soon possible the network and deploy Roll-out COVID-19 with persons for care of the pathway of as part (CHOs) Organisations Health Community across Develop videos, infographics, leaflets, posters etc. and disseminate in line with public health advice with public health advice in line and disseminate etc. posters leaflets, videos, infographics, Develop issues emerging reflect and messaging to materials Evolve Build openness, transparency and confidence in public health advice and confidence openness, transparency Build and updates messages key Amplify Ethical principles: Ethical Roll out protocols to provide provide to out protocols Roll COVID-19 of / treatment assessment respiratory to moderate with mild patients illness and with chronic patients illness or including COVID-19, to due complications in sub-acute care of provision beds community being implemented / Currently Completed

Action 4: Caring for our people who are ‘At Risk’ or Vulnerable or Risk’ ‘At who are people our for 4: Caring Action being implemented / Currently Completed

Action Area Action Action Area Action Implement a Implement dynamic clinical and social care, comunty-based management response, including technology- care delivered through options COVID-19 Clinical Community and Social Care Hubs Support Coordination All relevant relevant All Departments and State have Agencies plans in place vulnerable for groups Develop Develop multi-media for materials communicating with the public Enablers Key Working with Working the media

22 23 , Local , Local , DOH , DOH, , DOH, GPs , GPs , DOH, HSE HSE Local Authorities Authorities Local with community voluntary and other groups, public sector and the workers public DRCD Authorities, with community voluntary and other groups, public sector and the workers public HSE HSE Pharmacies Key organisations and people (lead in bold) HSE HSE HSE HSE HSE Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Deliver additional support Deliver with in line coordination guidance standardised Delivering increasing amount amount increasing Delivering with patients COVID-19 for social care of chronic or respiratory moderate mild to COVID-19 to due complications with illness Continue to expand the services and expand the services to Continue Hubs of those Clinical staffing Identify, redeploy and recruit and redeploy Identify, each for clinical expertise appropriate Clinical Hubs COVID-19 In accordance with a national approach, approach, with a national accordance In a support through social care deploy within the local support coordinator, (CHO) organisations healthcare community Authorities, Local with and in conjunction and charitable voluntary with liaising community in organising organisations social coordinating are that teams response for requirements and related care area people in their vulnerable Integrate and scale up existing HSE Live and telephone services to enhance communication channels to channels communication to enhance telephone services and HSE Live and scale up existing Integrate in home environment support self-management Deploy resources to meet requirement requirement meet to resources Deploy for response social care broader for settings, home / in-community people at support management including scaling up of ensure to groups vulnerable all for services delivery of service coordination timely Deliver remote clinical support services providing clinical triage, which is integrated with COVID-19 with COVID-19 which is integrated clinical triage, providing clinical support services remote Deliver clinical hubs community Through a national approach, support voluntary and community groups including service providers to providers including service groups community and voluntary support approach, a national Through broad involving people including transport, vulnerable supports for community of the delivery enhance for to issues such as travel regard supports and support in people, psycho-social concerned with interaction conditions other for treatment on-going Implement and roll out guidance and information for GPs in relation to the vulnerable groups reflecting the groups vulnerable to the relation in GPs for and information out guidance and roll Implement healthcare unnecessary thus reducing and telemedicine, phone triage for and enable systems response, evolving Maintain essential GP, health and social care services to maximise the management of existing chronic of to maximise the management services health and social care GP, essential Maintain COVID-19 of context people in older of and care services health, disability mental care, diseases, palliative Continue to support the role of community pharmacists in ensuring medicines supply for service users (e.g. users service for pharmacists in ensuring medicines supply community of role to support the Continue etc.) persons disease, older chronic Maintain essential health and social care services as well as GP services, to maximise the management of of to maximise the management services, well as GP as services health and social care essential Maintain people of older and care services health, specialist disability mental care, diseases, palliative chronic existing Delivered through an integrated streamlined approach across the COVID-19 clinical hubs the COVID-19 across approach streamlined an integrated through Delivered guidance utilising standardised support coordination, and the social care being implemented / Currently Completed

being implemented / Currently Completed

Action Area Action Action Area Action Support Support practice general in delivering patients to care with COVID-19 Mobilise Mobilise community coordination collaborate to the in meeting and social care needs of other and risk’ ‘at vulnerable groups Implement a Implement dynamic clinical and social care, comunty-based management response, including technology- care delivered through options COVID-19 Community Clinical Hubs and Social Care Support Coordination

24 25 DOH, PSI, , DOH, Key organisations and people (lead in bold) HSE Pharmacies HSE, Pharmacies HSE HSE HSE Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Deliver additional home support Deliver with criteria in line

e professionals and be tween community and acute services and acute community and be tween e professionals Maintain current level of home support of level current Maintain supporting optimum patient safety in the home environment in the home safety patient supporting optimum Making every contact count will necessitate a flexibility of roles among health and of a flexibility will necessitate count contact every Making Enabling delivery of timely and coordinated home support services, home support services, coordinated and timely of delivery Enabling Minimising harm, duty to provide care, reciprocity fairness, solidarity fairness, reciprocity care, provide to harm, duty Minimising Comprehensive communications plan that can be communicated to vulnerable groups vulnerable to communicated can be plan that communications Comprehensive Implement resources for additionality additionality for resources Implement with additional training, and deliver support management Maximise community pharmacists as a resource to promote self-care and provide advice and information to and information advice and provide self-care promote to pharmacists as a resource community Maximise groups vulnerable all including those in evolving to the relation pharmacists in community for and information out guidance and roll Implement response Through a national function, with management support, coordinate and prioritise home care based on and prioritise home coordinate support, with management function, a national Through coordination Support (iv) coordination; support Routine care High risk; (iii) need; (ii) including: (i) Critical criteria Communications: Communications: principles: Ethical approach: Underpinning being implemented / Currently Completed social car unwell, who become diagnosed patients of management remote and patients well diagnosed for home / self-management for Support ICT: data referral and service including assessment, services managing client for Support sharing and tracking. including information being implemented / Currently Completed

Action Area Action Action Area Action Key Enablers Key

Additional home Additional supports to manage vulnerable people/patient and support impacted carers COVID-19 by Additional i. patients from discharged hospital ii. Patients home receiving have that care additional needs patients iii. New with COVID-19 clinical related social needs or Support Support community pharmacists in delivering to care on-going patients, including those with COVID-19 . ) (Contd

26 27 HSE HSE hospital Private sector nursing Private home sector Hospitality sector HSE HSE Forces Defence Voluntary Ambulance organisations Private ambulance providers Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Action now for Later for now Action Later for now Action Implement major surge plan surge major Implement Harness additional clinical support from additional clinical support from Harness and private voluntary Forces, the Defence providers ambulance Transfer certain essential hospital essential certain Transfer certain hospitals; move to private activity community to OPD activity essential additional feasible; source where settings homes, beds in nursing step-down etc. hotels Use certain specialist non-ED hospitals certain Use treating hospitals for private and/or patients infected Hospitals receiving infected patients will have a multidisciplinary COVID-19 preparedness committee in place committee preparedness COVID-19 multidisciplinary a will have patients infected receiving Hospitals hospitals in acute delayed currently who are discharge for suitable patients Facilitate with homecare or facilities, to appropriate patients of discharge appropriate basis, accelerate an ongoing On support discharge early facilitate to etc. homes, hotels beds in nursing additional step-down and deploy Source on EDs pressure reduce to provision service Unit Injury Minor Enhance (Cross-Cutting 2 Action per as will be maintained clinical services essential & OPD activity, elective Restrict Actions) Provide telephone triage and support to patients in the community to avoid healthcare attendance attendance healthcare avoid to community in the and support to patients triage telephone Provide Facilitate National Ambulance Service (NAS) to provide home / community testing services community home / to provide (NAS) Service Ambulance National Facilitate Expand NAS clinical hub, COVID-19 and mental health support desks i.e. significantly expand staff, expand staff, health support desks i.e. significantly and mental Expand NAS clinical hub, COVID-19 within the at the support desks clinical advice to provide others and GPs retired including clinical advisors, of NAS Centre Operations Emergency National Continue to enhance paramedic led mobile medical services paramedic to enhance Continue Maximise single room usage for essential treatment of patients at higher risk, such as immunosuppressed, risk, such as immunosuppressed, at higher patients of treatment essential for usage single room Maximise etc CF infection of risk minimise to Radiotherapy) (e.g. treatment daily receiving patients for accommodation Provide Reconfigure physical infrastructure in acute hospitals to facilitate separate treatment pathways for for pathways treatment separate facilitate to hospitals in acute infrastructure physical Reconfigure Hospital Mater Unit in Isolation National at expand capacity patients; COVID-19 being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Action 5: Caring for people in Acute Services Services Acute people in for 5: Caring Action Action Area Action Area Action Maximise Maximise flow patient our through hospitals and the most ensure of use efficient existing resources Expanding care pre-hospital capacity All Hospitals Hospitals All a will have plan COVID-19 in place Separate to limit patients of possibilities of spread in infection hospitals

28 29 HSE & , HSE, , DOH Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DOH Agencies DOH DBEI, DEASP, DOD, DJE, health professional regulators HSE HSE

- Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Activate redeployment and reassign - and redeployment Activate recruitment, expedite further ment, work healthcare retired mobilise returned students, health professional carers, ers, etc. volunteers and deploy cross-training Provide units and other from workers healthcare needed where areas care Mobilise to support to Forces Defence Mobilise society wider and system the healthcare needs Enable reassignment of military and military of reassignment Enable clinical personnel Governmental other healthcare of reassignment Enable and other sector, private from workers supports, on needs basis staffing external - healthcare workforce; equipment & vehicles; construction and completion of minor works; private hospitals, works; private of minor completion and construction vehicles; & equipment workforce; healthcare minimising harm, duty to provide care, fairness care, provide to minimising harm, duty Redeploy, reassign, second existing healthcare workers to frontline COVID-19 response, including increasing response, including increasing COVID-19 to frontline workers healthcare existing second reassign, Redeploy, overtime and part-time staff for hours Identify and deploy sources of essential essential of sources and deploy Identify conduct sectors, public / private from staff for staff identify to skills search redeployment ers) - re ongoing and streamline Expedite - profes as streamlining (such cruitment processes, recruitment sional registration, for contract template COVID-19 bespoke work and other professionals healthcare for basis training on ongoing Deliver support COVID-19 to workers healthcare response Facilitate the re-recruitment of retired retired of the re-recruitment Facilitate workers health sector Action 6: Expanding & protecting our health workforce and essential workers and essential workforce health our 6: Expanding & protecting Action being implemented / Currently Completed

Ethical principles: Ethical Expanding capacity: existing and prioritise additional services commission providers; health service homes, private nursing private services other social support and transport, control, infection security, laundry, catering, being implemented / Currently Completed Action Area Action Action Area Action Key Enablers Key Facilitate Facilitate recruitment and expansion healthcare of workforce

30 31 , DOH & , DOH & Depts with Depts Key organisations and people (lead in bold) HSE Agencies, DES, Agencies, DPER, DEASP, DAFM DOD, All Occupational services Health HSE HSE Agencies Government All and Local Depts as Authorities required Key organisations and people (lead in bold) All Government DOH, Depts, HSE & Agencies - Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Activate the redeployment of general general of redeployment the Activate required if health, civil and public service, tion to avoid infection spread) spread) infection avoid to tion Examine the feasibility of providing providing of Examine the feasibility - with accom workers healthcare essential accommoda hotel or (e.g. onsite modation Introduce prioritised transport protocols protocols prioritised transport Introduce staff critical care facilitate to Deploy additional sources of staff as staff of additional sources Deploy required duty to provide care, minimising harm, solidarity, reciprocity, privacy reciprocity, minimising harm, solidarity, care, provide to duty Announcements regarding request for suitably qualified staff not currently working in the health sector / State Agencies. State / working in the health sector not currently qualified staff suitably for request regarding Announcements Ensure a plan is in place and implement, as required, measures to support private and public sector workers workers and public sector support private to measures as required, and implement, a plan is in place Ensure transport) dependent, of care working, childcare, remote (e.g. services essential of in the provision involved Prepare and plan for the potential the potential and plan for Prepare health, civil and general of redeployment COVID-19 to support staff public service response for of arrangements Clarification and DEASP Leave Special Service Public supports in illness benefit COVID-related place Support service continuity through through continuity service Support working, such as remote measures supports, accommodation childcare, transport Continue to deliver measures to protect frontline staff from infection, including primary care professionals care including primary infection, from staff frontline to protect measures to deliver Continue plans in place Isolation Self & Leave Special contingency, Have workers healthcare for in place supports are /social psychological Ensure Measure absenteeism and engage and engage absenteeism Measure shortages staffing any to fill staff agency identified being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Communications: support) general (childcare, worker local health your to supporting in relation awareness Public principles: Ethical Action Area Action Action Area Action Occupational Occupational & Health protecting healthcare workers Expanding and protecting public and workers private in the involved of provision essential other services Enablers Key

32 33 , DOD, , DOD, DOH, Key organisations and people (lead in bold) HSE DOH, OPW, IDA,DTTS, Sport DAFM, Other Ireland, sectors HSE DOD, OPW, IDA, sectors Other Key organisations and people (lead in bold) HSE DOH OPW, IDA, DOD, sectors Other HSE, Depts All DHPLG, DJE, Local Authorities Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Deploy all possible public facilities all possible public facilities Deploy accommodation care acute provide to including: isolation people requiring for public facilities; using military repurposing con - facilities; hospitals and associated & hotels structing field hospitals; using accommodation student Secure additional beds in private additional beds in private Secure hospitals Provide additional mortuary facilities additional mortuary Provide supports capacity and necessary Ensure necessary security of health care health care of security necessary Ensure and supplies facilities Continue to deliver additional short to deliver Continue beds and and long stay transitional term, staff care for training Minimising harm, duty to provide care, fairness, solidarity, reciprocity, privacy reciprocity, solidarity, fairness, care, provide to harm, duty Minimising Support for home/self-management for diagnosed well patients and remote remote and patients well diagnosed for home/self-management for Support Progress cocooning and cohorting of at risk patients and vulnerable people in accordance with evolving with accordance people in vulnerable and at risk patients of and cohorting cocooning Progress public health advice Provide additional beds for patients with moderate, acute and critical care needs and critical acute with moderate, patients for additional beds Provide providing for Examine all possibilities people for accommodation care acute including: using public isolation requiring hospitals and associated military facilities, hotels facilities, using repurposing facilities; constructing accommodation; & student field hospitals Maintain current level of short term, transitional and long stay beds and long stay transitional short term, of level current Maintain Open all available beds in acute hospitals, maintain additional beds opened for Winter Action Plan, Action Winter for additional beds opened hospitals, maintain beds in acute all available Open beds and isolation additional critical care commission Enhance cleaning of healthcare facilities healthcare cleaning of Enhance Increase and deliver short term, short term, and deliver Increase manage to beds stay long and transitional COVID-19: by impacted patient discharged patients Additional i. hospital from needs additional care have that ii. Patients related COVID-19 with patients iii. New social needs clinical or being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Ethical principles: Ethical support: ICT unwell who become diagnosed patients of management Priority Action 7: Expanding critical physical capacity physical 7: Expanding critical Action Priority Action Area Action Action Area Action Expand acute & Expand acute bed critical care capacity Expand care community capacity Expand care community capacity . ) (Contd Supporting capacity wider Enablers Key

34 35 HSE, , DOH, , DOH, , HSE , HSE, , HSE, , HSE , DOF , Revenue , Revenue , DOH, , DOH, Key organisations and people (lead in bold) HSE DOH HPRA, DBEI HSE DOH HPRA, DBEI & Agencies DOH DOH, HPRA Key organisations and people (lead in bold) HPRA HSE, DEBI, DOD, DTTS, DAFM HSE Commissioners, DCYA, DOD, OPW HSE HPRA, DOD, DEBI, Revenue Commissioners HSE OPW, DTTS, DAFM DHPLG, DOD HPRA HSE HPRA Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Instigate nationally-mandated controls controls nationally-mandated Instigate all of and distribution on the supply to ensure health products essential if critical health services, of delivery appropriate Identify and deploy available logistical logistical available and deploy Identify or Forces Defence within the expertise providers service public and private other support planning and operations, to resources of including deployment Secure additional essential health additional essential Secure all from vehicles and equipment products, public and private sources, available Identify and access, if appropriate, appropriate, if and access, Identify to the essential assets non-health sector vehicles to access (e.g. health response Defence infrastructure, facilities, and craft, medical assets, resources, Force etc.) consumables equipment, deactivated and recondition Reprocess possible and where medical equipment, do so to safe Secure access to, and acquire essential essential and acquire to, access Secure and medicines, health products if sources, all available from equipment necessary Engage with pharmaceutical, med tech and other health product industries, suppliers, pharmacies and industries, suppliers, health product other tech and med with pharmaceutical, Engage health products essential of supply responsible maintain to retailers Enhance availability of comprehensive real-time information about national stocks and map logistical stocks and map national about information real-time comprehensive of availability Enhance needs patient meet to to enable equitableproducts allocation health to essential in relation requirements settings all care across NAS for sectors from public / private vehicles additional of sources Identify HSE continue to undertake ongoing procurement of essential health products and equipment health essential of procurement ongoing to undertake HSE continue medicines, medical of, availability and for, requirement assess the short, medium and long-term Critically and equipment health products essential PPE and other devices, Ramp up surveillance to identify potential shortages and diminishing access and implement measures to measures and implement access and diminishing shortages potential identify to up surveillance Ramp and equipment health products essential of availability secure Ensure that robust and contingency medicines delivery arrangements are in place to deliver essential to deliver in place are arrangements medicines delivery and contingency robust that Ensure at home for being cared patients COVID-19 medicines to Maximise procurement arrangements arrangements procurement Maximise and procuring to sourcing, in relation products and health distributing essential equipment being implemented / Currently Completed

being implemented / Currently Completed

Action 8: Maintaining access to essential health products, equipment and services products, equipment health to essential access Maintaining 8: Action Action Area Action Action Area Action Securing and Securing sustaining of continuity and access to supply health essential products, and equipment vehicles Meeting the Meeting increased demand for and supply of distribution health essential and products in equipment to responding evolving outbreak requirements

36 37 , OGCIO, , OGCIO, Key organisations and people (lead in bold) HSE DOH Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DOH as Depts, Other necessary Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Prompt and effective communication with all stakeholders communication and effective Prompt Minimising harm, proportionality, reciprocity, duty to provide care, privacy care, to provide duty reciprocity, harm, proportionality, Minimising Engage and commission public and private service providers service public and private and commission Engage In the public interest, use existing, and expand where necessary, legislative powers, to support the health powers, legislative necessary, where expand and use existing, the public interest, In example: for COVID-19, to in responding service and quarantine isolation regarding measures protection • population workers healthcare essential the pool of expand to requirements • health professional to individuals services essential of to enable planning and delivery data of the sharing • facilitating and services health products infrastructure, essential to • securing access to enable: powers legislative Use and self-employed employees for supports social protection to • reforms arrangements mitigation of impacts by disrupted and services systems statutory of • continuity Deploy ICT solutions to enable health and social care responses, such as scaled-up call centre facilities; centre responses, such as scaled-up call to enable health and social care solutions ICT Deploy tracing; homecare contact cases; confirmed and suspected of up follow and to support triage CRM solutions services; supportive cohesive provide to interactions care for health and social aligned CRM solution prioritisation; etc. with clinicians, contact patient to minimise non-essential solutions and telehealth safeguarding; being implemented / Currently Completed Communications: Communications: Capacity: harm, solidarity principles: Minimising Ethical being implemented / Currently Completed principles: Ethical Action 9: Utilising legislative powers to support response to support powers Utilising legislative 9: Action Action Area Action Action Area Action Implementing Implementing enablers to ICT the facilitate health service to response COVID-19 Key Enablers Key Maximise the Maximise all use of legislative in the powers public interest support the to to response COVID-19 Enablers Key

38 39 Part 2

Dealing with the downstream impact of COVID-19 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Departments All Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Departments All Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Identify alternative accommodation accommodation alternative Identify building closures of in event Reconfigure office accommodation office Reconfigure on public health information Display offices including public facing offices Establish protocol for staff presenting at presenting staff for protocol Establish with symptoms work to in-person alternatives Consider meetings protocol channels and develop Identify communications staff for Business Continuity Planning Team to monitor developments to monitor Team Planning Continuity Business stakeholders external and staff involving events non-urgent Postpone travel) (including personal on travel guidance Monitor Ensure Business Continuity Plans Continuity Business Ensure critical functions and (identifying agencies all for are in place staff) essential the the aegis of and bodies under departments respective Identify alternative methods of working, e.g. remote working, deployment, working, deployment, remote working, e.g. of methods alternative Identify week / day restructured re-deployment, and prioritise critical business Identify staff functions and essential to support the health service staff of redeployment for requirements and monitor for Plan Identify methods of communication for for communication of methods Identify and internal customers external suppliers; customers Identify services that can be suspended / deferred with the least possible impact on the sector can be suspended / deferred that services Identify functions critical identified cover schedules and work different to staff of teams alternate for Plan being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Communications ICT Accommodation Business Continuity Planning across the Public Service the Planning across Continuity Business Action Area Action Action Area Action HR Management Continuing Continuing Delivery Service for Enablers Key Business Continuity across Planning the

41 42 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) D/CCAE and Networks Emergency team Planning EirGrid Networks Gas Ireland D/CCAE ComReg Network operators Key organisations and people (lead in bold) D/CCAE RTÉ TG4 D/CCAE Post An D/CCAE D/HPLG Local Authorities EPA D/HPLG Water Irish Local Authorities National of Federation Water Group Schemes Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Ensure electricity emergency plans, are plans, are emergency electricity Ensure services key which prioritise in place to facilities) (including healthcare required if implement Ensure procedures and equipment in and equipment procedures Ensure (e.g. works essential of in the event place symptomatic/ of property at gas escape) customers isolating Ensure Business Continuity Plans Continuity Business Ensure critical functions and (identifying for tested) (and are in place staff) essential in the Ireland Networks and Gas EirGrid COVID-19 of context Ensure Business Continuity Plans Continuity Business Ensure critical functions and (identifying in telecoms for are in place staff) essential COVID-19 of the context Monitor response of EirGrid and Gas Networks Ireland and provide support as required and provide Ireland Networks and Gas EirGrid of response Monitor Monitor usage and resource Call Answering Service appropriately Service Answering Call the Emergency and resource usage Monitor Monitor and test continuity of telecoms services telecoms of continuity and test Monitor Ensure Business Continuity Plans Continuity Business Ensure critical functions and essential (identifying services broadcasting for in place are staff) COVID-19 of in the context services broadcasting of continuity and test Monitor Plans Continuity Business Ensure critical functions and essential (identifying in the postal services for in place are staff) COVID-19 of context services broadcasting of continuity and test Monitor Monitor and test continuity of waste management services management waste of continuity and test Monitor Ensure Business Continuity Plans Continuity Business Ensure critical functions and essential (identifying management waste for in place are staff) COVID-19 of in the context services Ensure Business Continuity Plans Continuity Business Ensure critical functions and (identifying all local for are in place staff) essential in the operators plant water authorities and COVID-19 of context Essential Services and Utilities and Services Essential being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Action Area Action Action Area Action Energy Telecoms Broadcasting Postal Waste Water

43 44 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) D/HPLG Water Irish Local Authorities National of Federation Water Group Schemes D/HPLG National of Directorate and Fire Emergency Management Fire Chief Officers Association (CFOA) Authorities Fire D/TTAS NTA HSE Key organisations and people (lead in bold) D/TTAS NTA HSE Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Ensure Business Continuity Plans Continuity Business Ensure critical functions and (identifying fire and for are in place staff) essential of in the context services emergency COVID-19 Plans Continuity Business Ensure critical functions and essential (identifying all public transport for in place are staff) COVID-19 of in the context operators Issue guidance on contingency planning on contingency guidance Issue Schemes Group to Identify channels and develop protocol for communications with National Transport Authority and Public and Authority Transport National with communications for protocol channels and develop Identify companies Transport Monitor and test continuity of public transport services (including services provided by private operators private by provided (including services services public transport of continuity and test Monitor with consistent are public transport for protocols and ensure on public transport numbers passenger Monitor HSE public health advices Monitor and test continuity of fire and emergency services at national and local levels national and local at services and emergency fire of continuity and test Monitor Engagement with all public transport operators, Local Link, taxis and commercial bus operators Link, taxis and commercial Local operators, with all public transport Engagement Monitor and test continuity of water supply water of continuity and test Monitor being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Communications and engagement Communications ICT Equipment Action Area Action Action Area Action Water . ) (Contd and Fire Emergency Services Transport Public Public Transport Public for Enablers Key Service Essential and Utilities

45 46 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) D/AFM D/BEI D/Taoiseach Authority Local HSE retailers Grocery and distributors Key organisations and people (lead in bold) D/TTAS NTA D/BEI Enterprise Ireland IDA Enterprise Local Offices Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Develop protocol to ensure critical ensure to protocol Develop for and prioritised is identified freight ports and distribution from quick onward airports Consumer Protection Act 2007 Protection Consumer Continue to review critical services review to Continue for: and responsibilities marts, in livestock operations maintaining and animal processing slaughterhouses, facilities processing dairy can business operators food ensuring that with appropriate to operate continue oversight regulatory to the ensuring minimum disruption and of livestock exporting importing and and subject to Sanitary products other controls Phytosanitary Engagement with business representative bodies and assessing possible business impacts including with business representative Engagement chains on supply Engage with supply chain operators on contingency planning, including measures to address critical goods critical to address planning, including measures on contingency chain operators with supply Engage required if issues locational distribution or (including food) Engage with major grocery retailers and distributors on contingency planning, including measures to address to address planning, including measures on contingency and distributors retailers grocery with major Engage required if issues or locational food distribution critical actions required any inform pricing to food Monitor Monitor supply chain logistics to inform contingency planning and any required actions required any planning and contingency to inform chain logistics supply Monitor Manage and monitor critical services and responsibilities for: responsibilities and critical services and monitor Manage facilities processing and dairy animal processing marts, slaughterhouses, in livestock operations i. maintaining oversight regulatory with appropriate to operate can continue business operators food ii. ensuring that to products subject other and livestock of exporting to the importing and iii. ensuring minimum disruption controls and Phytosanitary Sanitary chains supply demand and on agri-food on consumer COVID-19 the impact of Monitor Ensure fishery harbours remain open to maintain commercial sea fishing activity commercial to maintain remain open harbours fishery Ensure being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Communications and engagement Communications Legislations: Supply Chains Supply Action Area Action Action Area Action Food Supply Food Transport and Retail Manufacturing Enablers Key

47 48 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Courts The Service Garda An Síochána, of Director Public Prosecutions, Prison Irish Service DJE Prison Irish Service DJE Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Garda An Síochána DJE of Director Public Prosecutions DJE Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Consider potential for further further for potential Consider courts of on the operation restrictions Review of Garda powers under the under powers Garda of Review to infectious 1947 relating Act Health diseases Provide training to staff to identify to identify staff to training Provide and develop COVID-19 of symptoms and a suspected of in the event protocols of case including identification confirmed area(s) isolation Develop a protocol for alternate alternate for a protocol Develop technology) use of (e.g. arrangements on operations restrictions of as a result courts, including nationwide or regional of categories for judicial remedies to access persons vulnerable of Ensure contingency plan in place to address impacts of COVID-19 (e.g. continuity of supply chain, staffing, chain, staffing, of supply continuity (e.g. COVID-19 of impacts to address plan in place contingency Ensure services) administration essential The Courts Service has introduced has introduced Service Courts The the of work scale back the to measures such as: courts, cases, and cases not urgent • Only ahead will go witnesses, etc. involving all courts for arrangements • Detailed on courts.ie been made available have Increase capacity for Judges and staff to and staff Judges for capacity Increase remotely work Identify channels and develop a protocol a protocol channels and develop Identify staff, Judges, with the communication for users and court Increase Garda fleet capacity fleet Garda Increase Increase workforce capacity including capacity workforce Increase College, Garda in of students attestation in retirement to relating flexibility an of and designating circumstances, certain of the purposes for event exceptional Directive Time Working the Redeployment of Gardaí, revised rosters, leave and human resources arrangements in An Garda Síochána to to Síochána Garda An in arrangements and human resources leave rosters, revised Gardaí, of Redeployment the service of and functionality maximise capacity Garda Community Engagement Networks ready to support and reassure vulnerable persons persons vulnerable support and reassure to ready Networks Engagement Community Garda and local communities of context in the offences of prosecution the ongoing facilitate to plans in place business continuity Ensure including: COVID-19 time limits to impending subject statutory processes of cases and legal • Prioritisation caseloads cover to staff of • Redeployment courthouses some of closure • Potential Prioritisation of core functions and operations while maximising visibility (including assisting social distancing visibility while maximising functions and operations core of Prioritisation resilience) and reinforce Security, Defence & the Courts Defence Security, being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Action Area Action Action Area Action Administration Administration in the justice of Courts of Operation Prisons Policing of Prosecution offences

49 50 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) Prison Irish Service DJE Forces Defence including the Naval Corp, Air and the Service Army Civil Defence Volunteers DOD Key organisations and people (lead in bold) National Cyber Cyber National Centre Security DCCAE Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Health Act 1947 Act Health Develop protocol for reduced access to to access reduced for protocol Develop visits, cancelling prisons e.g. decreasing events non-essential Issue protocols to all prisons in relation all prisons in relation to protocols Issue lock-down phases of to Consider options to mitigate the risk to mitigate options Consider temporary in prisons (e.g. an outbreak of release) Develop self-isolation protocol for “live- for protocol self-isolation Develop personnel in” Ensure monitoring and detection of cyber security issues, including secondary issues that may arise with arise may issues that issues, including secondary security cyber of and detection monitoring Ensure communication constant including through sector the healthcare affect may demand, that service increased counterparts with international Ensure Aid to the Civil Authorities structures are in place in place are structures Authorities the Civil to Aid Ensure Ensure Aid to the Civil Power structures are in place in place are structures the Civil Power to Aid Ensure Identification of key personnel to ensure security and defence of the State of the defence and security to ensure personnel key of Identification being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed

Communications and engagement Communications ICT Legislation: Equipment Action Area Action Action Area Action Operation of of Operation Prisons . ) (Contd and Operation mobilisation the Defence of Forces Cyber Security Cyber Key Enablers Key

51 52 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DES SEC CAO Higher Education Institutions Further Education centres training Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DFin Bank Central ECB and Banking Payments Federation Departments All processing payments DFin Bank Central ECB and Banking Payments Federation Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Ensure Business Continuity Plan (identifying critical Plan (identifying Continuity Business Ensure Central are in place staff) functions and essential COVID-19 of in the context Bank Consider impact (including financial) of closure of 3rd level education facilities (e.g. R&D,cancellation of R&D,cancellation (e.g. facilities education level 3rd of closure of impact (including financial) Consider conferences) international centres education further of closure for plans contingency and develop impacts of Consider Provide information and advice to schools, colleges, etc. aligned with developments of COVID-19 of with developments aligned etc. colleges, to schools, and advice information Provide Develop contingency plans to address primary and post-primary school closures and lost tuition time, school closures and post-primary primary to address plans contingency Develop years exam prioritising required if exams) and practical (including oral exam arrangements State alternative Develop knock-on and any to places and access process results on CAO/college delayed of impact potential for Plan education level 3rd to transition for effects examinations level 3rd delayed of impact potential for Plan Engage with banking and payments sector to develop sector wide plan and ensure business continuity plans business continuity wide plan and ensure sector develop to sector with banking and payments Engage stocks and contingency cash supply for in place schemes on payment card and international systems payments of overseers with relevant Engage arrangements contingency food sea farmers, (e.g. met are commitments other and payment to ensure plans contingency Develop claimants) welfare social groups, community processors, Encourage the use, where possible, of the contactless payment method payment the contactless possible, of where the use, Encourage Monitor developments (e.g. bank liquidity reports, redemption calls on funds, and corporate debt markets) markets) debt corporate calls on funds, and redemption reports, bank liquidity (e.g. developments Monitor to the exposed sectors focus on financial including across sectors risks financial and operational and identify sectors economic vulnerable most services insurance of continuity ensure to industry with insurance Engage being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Communications and engagement Communications ICT Banking and Financial Services Banking Sectoral Services Sectoral Action Area Action Action Area Action Education Operation of of Operation Banking/ Payments system Bank Central Services Enablers Key

53 54 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DCYA sector Childcare DCYA TUSLA Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DCYA Oberstown Children’s Detention Campus DHPLG DHealth HSE authorities Local Homelessness service providers Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Issue homelessness services specific homelessness services Issue all local authorities and to guidance providers service Ensure plan in place to address needs of young people and staff on campus and ensuring core support core on campus and ensuring people and staff young needs of address to plan in place Ensure rostering) staff bed management, (e.g. available are services as relocation and isolation for required response focus on with a Management Continuity Business Operate required and staff users among service infection of to minimise risk precautions Introduce rough sleepers to accommodation beds and offer to teams additional outreach for Provide Develop measures to reduce demand for demand for reduce to measures Develop accommodation emergency Identify staff capable of redeployment to support the health service if required if to support the health service redeployment of capable staff Identify by caused disruption long-term of event in services welfare and impacts on child protection Consider Orders) Care Interim (e.g. COVID-19 Continued payment of childcare subsidies to providers by Pobal/DCYA for services directed to close by by to close directed services for Pobal/DCYA by to providers subsidies childcare of payment Continued Authorities Health disruption COVID-19 of as a result sector the childcare supports for further Consider of context the place in staff) is in critical functions and essential Plan (identifying Continuity Business Ensure COVID-19 Childcare for emergency and other essential workers will be prioritised aligned to public health advice will be prioritised aligned workers essential and other emergency for Childcare Issue information to sector (incl. childcare providers, child minders, and County Childcare Committees) Childcare County and child minders, providers, (incl. childcare to sector information Issue being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Action Area Action Action Area Action Early Years and Years Early Childcare TUSLA Oberstown Oberstown Children’s Detention Campus Homelessness Services

55 56 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DFAT - DJE Border Management Unit Irish Nationalisation and Immigration - Office - Internation al Protection Office Airport Authority Key organisations and people (lead in bold) - DJE Border Management Unit Irish Nationalisation and Immigration - Office - Internation al Protection Office Airport Dublin Authority Action now for Later for now Action Later for now Action Develop self-isolation protocols for for protocols self-isolation Develop who centres in accommodation applicants and manage COVID-19 by affected are impacts Develop alternative arrangements to arrangements alternative Develop support social distancing measures, including applications print finger • suspension of applicants of categories of • expansion online renewals for can apply that permissions for valid of • extensions period month three Develop protocols for staff dealing with dealing staff for protocols Develop high risk cases potential Operate dedicated COVID-19 phone line for Irish Irish phone line for COVID-19 dedicated Operate in abroad to travel who intend or abroad citizens future the near Review and update Travel Advice with support of mission network with support of Advice Travel and update Review affected from returning if at appointments attendance with regarding been communicated have applicants All unwell and feel regions an appropriate have accommodation in temporary HSE guidelines and ensuring applicants translated Provide them of understanding being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Communications and engagement Communications ICT Action Area Action Area Action Foreign Affairs Foreign Immigration Delivery Service Immigration Delivery Service . ) (Contd Enablers Key

57 58 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DEASP DPER DHealth DBEI WRC Employer Representatives Union Trade Representatives Sector Banking and Landlord Tenant representative groups GPs Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DFin Bank Central NTMA DEASP DPER DHealth DBEI WRC Employer Representatives Union Trade Representatives Sector Banking and Landlord Tenant representative groups GPs Action now for Later for now Action Action now for Later for now Action Reforms agreed for sick pay, illness benefit and illness benefit sick pay, for agreed Reforms that to ensure benefit supplementary can abide by and the self-employed employees appropriate where self-isolate, to medical advice Publish Workplace Relations Relations Workplace Publish for Notice Guidance Commission and employees employers to help can be best utilised and promoted Scheme) Payment Working Time Short schemes (e.g. how Consider pandemic COVID-19 jobs through maintain Assess the national and international macroeconomic implications, and any appropriate responses any appropriate and implications, macroeconomic and international Assess the national data economic high frequency regular Publish Publish macro-economic assessment, revised economic and fiscal forecasts (April 2020 – (April forecasts and fiscal economic revised assessment, macro-economic Publish update) Programme Stability Engage closely, along with relevant European institutions, on all issues relating to impacts on the Irish to impacts on the relating institutions, on all issues European with relevant along closely, Engage system financial and banking Engage with the banking sector about the flexibilities in relation to mortgage payments and other issues for issues other and payments to mortgage relation in about the flexibilities with the banking sector Engage pandemic COVID-19 by affected those temporarily Issue Joint Statement by Government, Government, by Statement Joint Issue Union Trade and Employer to support on need representatives COVID-19 by affected workers Introduce legislation and system for new COVID-19 self-isolation provisions self-isolation COVID-19 new for system and legislation Introduce development and Offices Intreo through support service Responder First and DBEI joint DEASP Provide firms affected in help minimise lay-offs to agencies available on supports guidance and provide groups representative and tenant with landlord Engage Participate in ongoing EU and international responses to the economic implications of COVID-19 of economic implications to the responses EU and international in ongoing Participate Develop contingency plans for managing the impact of increasing claimants of social welfare payments, in payments, welfare social of claimants increasing of managing the impact for plans contingency Develop existing clients to payments while maintaining Allowance, Seekers Job and Benefit Seekers Job particular being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Economy, Employee and Business Supports and Business Employee Economy, Action Area Action Action Area Action Employee Supports . ) (Contd Economy Employee Supports

59 60 Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DBEI DEASP DFin DPER Revenue WRC Enterprise Ireland Ireland IDA na Údarás Gaeltachta Key organisations and people (lead in bold) DBEI DEASP DFin DPER Revenue WRC Enterprise Ireland Ireland IDA na Údarás Gaeltachta Action now for Later for now Action Later for now Action Engage with on Commission with European Engage for and approvals flexibilities Aid State support requiring enterprises Revenue measures introduced dealing introduced measures Revenue returns VAT things, with, among other well as as certificates, and tax clearance assisting SMEs aimed at advice detailing and cash flow be experiencing who may of the impact a result difficulties as trading COVID-19 of Agree and implement a package of a package and implement Agree support to measures immediate businesses including: the Local through Vouchers • Offices Enterprise to available grant in focus • Finance na and Údarás Ireland Enterprise clients Gaeltachta Working • €200m SBCI COVID-19 Capital scheme Scheme Guarantee • DBEI Credit banks the Pillar through Ireland MicroFinance • increase €50,000 to threshold Rescue and €200m • activate Scheme • Restructuring Enterprise Ireland to provide an online portal of advice and tools and Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Enterprise and Local Ireland and Enterprise and tools advice an online portal of provide to Ireland Enterprise support mentoring clinic and advisory to activate Office Work closely with affected business sectors and stakeholders to identify any other appropriate liquidity or liquidity appropriate other any to identify and stakeholders business sectors with affected closely Work businesses assist affected to required responses other being implemented / Currently Completed being implemented / Currently Completed Communications and engagement Communications ICT Action Area Action Area Action Business Supports Business Supports . ) (Contd Enablers Key

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