Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
The COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland has had far-reaching consequences in the country that go beyond the spread of the disease itself and efforts to quarantine it, including political, educational and sporting implications.
Outbreaks[edit]
Construction sites[edit]
From 20 July to 24 July 2020, a number of construction sites in Dublin closed down temporarily due to workers testing positive for COVID-19.
On 20 July, a construction site on Townsend Street in Dublin City Centre operated by John Paul Construction closed down temporarily at the request of the Health Service Executive after over 20 workers tested positive for COVID-19.[85][86] On 23 July, a second construction site in Grangegorman, Dublin operated by John Sisk & Son and FCC closed down temporarily after a worker tested positive for COVID-19.[87][88] On 24 July, a third construction site on South Great George's Street, Dublin operated by the Elliott Group closed down temporarily after a worker tested positive for COVID-19.[89][90]
On 5 October, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) confirmed an outbreak of COVID-19 on a construction site in Dublin.[91]
On 22 April 2021, an outbreak of at least 70 COVID-19 cases was confirmed at Intel's construction site in Leixlip, County Kildare.[92][93][94]
Processing plants and direct provision centres[edit]
On 4 May 2020, Ireland's then agriculture minister (the first of the year's five) revealed that six meat processing plants had been shuttered due to outbreaks of the coronavirus illness,[95] and nineteen more were affected, bringing the total to 23.[96]
On 30 July, a significant number of cases announced by the Department of Health was associated with a cluster of 53 staff at a dog food factory in Naas, County Kildare which stopped production on 25 July.[97][98] On 14 August, the factory announced that the phased reopening of its plant had been agreed with the Health Service Executive and the Health and Safety Authority following a meeting on 11 August.[99]
On 4 August, a food processing plant in Tullamore, County Offaly carried out a deep clean of the premises and was scheduled to close after seven workers tested positive for COVID-19.[100][101] On 10 August, the food processing plant suspended all processing operations and closed following criticism it received for not doing so.[102] On 14 August, the food processing plant announced that the Health Service Executive and the Health and Safety Authority had approved the reopening of its plant in Tullamore.[103][104]
On 5 August, a food factory in Timahoe, County Kildare suspended all processing operations and closed following confirmation of 80 cases of COVID-19.[105][106] On 19 August, a further eight workers at the food factory tested positive for COVID-19.[107]
On 11 August, following a meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on COVID-19, Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced that weekly COVID-19 testing would begin at meat processing plants and residents of direct provision centres.[108]
On 12 August, a mushroom factory in Golden, County Tipperary suspended its operations after one staff member tested positive for COVID-19 before other close contacts also tested positive.[109][110] On 17 August, the mushroom factory remained closed, with 29 staff members having tested positive for COVID-19.[111] The owners of the factory announced they were concerned at the level of asymptomatic cases identified after mass testing over the previous weekend.[112]
On 17 August, a case of COVID-19 was confirmed in a meat processing plant in Cahir, County Tipperary.[113] On 26 August, the meat processing plant announced that 22 members of staff, along with 16 close contacts, had tested positive for COVID-19.[114][115]
On 18 August, four workers at a Glanbia dairy processing plant in Ballitore, County Kildare tested positive for COVID-19.[116]
On 24 August, 15 employees tested positive for COVID-19 at three meat plants around the country: 9 in Cahir, County Tipperary, 2 in Clones, County Monaghan and 4 in Clara, County Offaly.[117]
On 9 September, the Health Service Executive postponed the COVID-19 testing of staff in meat processing plants.[118][119]
On 11 September, the Department of Justice and the Health Service Executive confirmed that widespread COVID-19 testing would begin in all direct provision centres from 12 September.[120]
On 25 January 2021, a meat processing plant in Bunclody, County Wexford confirmed 42 cases of COVID-19 following screening of all staff on 15 January.[121][122][123]
On 3 February, an outbreak of COVID-19 at a direct provision centre in Newbridge, County Kildare was confirmed.[124]