RaISe publications on COVID-19

Synopsis: The Assembly Research and Information Service (RaISe) has produced the following articles and research publications in response to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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Covid-19 Funding Allocations and Expenditure In Scotland and Wales - a basic overview

This briefing paper, commissioned by the Assembly’s Finance Committee, provides an overview of Covid-19 funding provided during the pandemic by the United Kingdom Government to the Scottish Government and to the Welsh Government.
Research publication: Published on 24th March 2022

 

 

Covid-19 Funding: Allocations & Spending in Northern Ireland

This briefing paper aims to provide oversight of Covid-19 public funding provided during the pandemic – both allocations and spending. It explains how and when Covid-19 funding was received by the Executive from the United Kingdom Government, and then allocated and spent at departmental level in Northern Ireland. Included are key findings and potential issues for consideration, to support Assembly committee scrutiny.
Research publication: Published on 3rd February 2022

 

 

Visualisation of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland

This dashboard has been prepared by the Assembly Research and Information Service (RaISe) to visualise data describing the spread of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 14th January 2022

 

 

Transport trends during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland

This blog article will examine the impact of COVID-19 on travel habits, current transport trends in NI and discuss possible recovery options.

Research Matters blog article: Published on 3rd December 2021 

 

 

COVID, culture and recovery (Part 2)

To support the Communities Committee’s consideration of future recommendations for the recovery of the cultural sectors in Northern Ireland, this two-part blog post provides an overview of cultural recovery initiatives from other jurisdictions.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 30th September 2021

 

 

COVID, culture and recovery (Part 1)

To support the Communities Committee’s consideration of future recommendations for the recovery of the cultural sectors in Northern Ireland, this two-part blog post provides an overview of cultural recovery initiatives from other jurisdictions.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 30th September 2021

 

 

Mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic

As lockdown measures begin to ease, what evidence is there about the impact that COVID-19 has had on our mental health?
Research Matters blog article:  Published on 24th June 2021

 

 

Part-time pandemic

Recent figures show a decline in part-time work in Northern Ireland (NI) since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article describes recent job losses and investigates their impact on employment among women in NI.
Research Matters blog article:  Published on 23rd June 2021

 

 

How has COVID-19 emergency funding for individual artists been distributed in Northern Ireland? (Updated)

This visualisation provides a snapshot of £11.1 million in emergency funding provided to over 2294 individual artists in Northern Ireland. This funding is part of a range of measures supported by COVID-19 emergency funding from the Department for Communities, the National Lottery and Screen NI to address key challenges arising from the effects of the pandemic.
Research Matters blog article:  Published on 22nd June 2021

 

 

Snapshot of COVID-19 Funding: Department for Communities

This data visualisation provides a series of interactive graphs compiled by the Assembly's Research and Information Service (RaISe), which offer a snapshot of government funding allocated by the Department for Communities (DfC) to address key challenges arising from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland (NI).
Research Matters blog article:  Published on 13th April 2021

 

 

Eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic

Following the Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which took place in the United Kingdom in March 2021, this article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns on individuals with eating disorders.
Research Matters blog article:  Published on 13th April 2021

 

 

How has Arts Council NI COVID-19 emergency funding been distributed to arts organisations?

In March 2020, all theatres, galleries, museums and music venues closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Almost a year later, many of Northern Ireland’s arts and culture venues have not reopened their doors to live audiences. To support the arts and culture sectors in NI, a series of COVID-19 emergency funding programmes have been announced by Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) since March 2020. The data visualisations in this blog article illustrate ACNI funding data details published in November 2020 and February 2021. These  are provided to help illustrate the distribution of COVID-19 emergency arts funding in terms of location and art form.
Research Matters blog article:  Published on 9th March 2021

 

 

Social media spread of misinformation and COVID-19 vaccine uptake

As the COVID-19 vaccination programme progresses in Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, this article considers the causes and consequences of misinformation surrounding vaccines, and highlights possible ways to tackle it.
Research Matters blog article:  Published on 4th March 2021

 

Analysis of Departmental Bids Relating to Monitoring Rounds and Separate Covid-19 Exercise

This briefing paper - commissioned by the Assembly's Finance Committee (the Committee) - aims to support the Committee's oversight of departments' Monitoring Round bids and the separate Covid-19 funding exercise; both processes directed by the Minister of the Department for Finance (DoF). The paper provides a brief analysis of those bids (Monitoring Round and Covid-19 exercise) overall, and at the departmental level. A table containing aggregated departmental bid responses is appended to facilitate the Committee's consideration.
Research Publication: Published on 22nd  February 2021

 

 

Public Health (Coronavirus Restriction) Regulations: emergency procedures

This briefing note has been prepared following a request from the Committee for Health. It considers the use across the UK of an 'emergency procedure' to make public health regulations which, due to the coronavirus pandemic, place restrictions on a range of activities. It also considers the ability of the relevant legislatures to scrutinise these measures.
Research Publication: Published on 28th January 2021

 

 

COVID-19: Vaccines and other potential treatments

This article considers a number of recent medical developments in relation to COVID-19 and the implications of the new vaccine for Northern Ireland.
Research Matters blog article:  Published on 18th December 2020

 

 

Impact of COVID-19 on arts and culture in Northern Ireland

This paper explores impacts on the arts and cultural sectors in Northern Ireland from the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper compares support measures in Northern Ireland and elsewhere, as well as longer term considerations for the sector’s recovery.
Research Publication: Published on 18th December 2020

 

 

Overview of COVID-19 funding in NI and the economic implications: an update

This briefing paper provides an overview of the key economic implications of COVID-19 Government funding made available in Northern Ireland – at central and devolved levels. It also provides contextual information on the Northern Ireland economy prior to, and during the pandemic, before looking at future challenges faced by businesses and citizens, which the Executive and the Assembly will need to address.
Research Publication: Published on 16th December 2020

 

 

Covid-19, excess deaths and hospital waiting lists

This briefing note uses the latest available statistical information to highlight some of the collateral impacts on health arising from the current pandemic in Northern Ireland.
Research Publication: Published on 30th November 2020

 

 

Brexit and Health in Northern Ireland

This briefing paper provides an overview of Brexit and the likely impact that it will have on the health service in Northern Ireland. It also covers other impacted areas within the remit of the Health Committee.
Research Publication: Published on 26th November 2020

 


How has COVID-19 Emergency Funding for the arts and culture Sectors in Northern Ireland been distributed?

This visualisation provides a snapshot of emergency funding provided to the arts and culture sectors in Northern Ireland. This funding is part of a range of measures supported by COVID-19 emergency funding from the Department for Communities to address key challenges arising from the effects of the pandemic.  RaISe will endeavour to update the series in line with future publication of government figures.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 25th November 2020

 

 

Constituency Casework Guide - COVID-19: Social Security and other forms of support for household finances

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a profound impact on the Northern Ireland economy. In the weeks and months ahead, constituency offices may experience an increase in constituents seeking information and advice on social security benefits, in particular Universal Credit, and other forms of support for their household finances. The purpose of this guide is to signpost constituency staff to existing sources of information on social security benefits; other forms of financial assistance that may be available; and sources of independent information and advice.
Research Publication: Published on 28th October 2020

 

 

A snapshot of COVID-19 funding

This visualisation provides a series of interactive graphs compiled by the Assembly’s Research and Information Service (RaISe), which offer a snapshot of government funding allocated to address key challenges arising from the effects of the pandemic in Northern Ireland (NI). The series relies on available government data as of 28 September 2020; highlighting how that funding has or will be administered through a range of targeted initiatives introduced either centrally by Treasury or at devolved level by the Executive or its individual Departments. The intention is simply to present the relevant data using accessible formats; thereby aiming to support greater openness and transparency of those data, facilitating engagement with them. Ultimately, the series seeks to increase government accountability at both central and devolved levels, for their collective and individual responses to Covid and its many impacts. In future, RaISe will update the series in line with future issuance of government figures.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 1st October 2020

 

 

Is it possible to socially distance on our beaches?

With many international travel restrictions still in place, more people than ever will be opting for 'staycations' in Northern Ireland. This article provides the results of a spatial analysis looking at whether social distancing is possible on some of our most popular beaches.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 15th July 2020

 

 

COVID-19 and school shutdowns: Examining the after-effects

In an effort to minimise the spread of the virus SARS-CoV-2 (which causes the disease COVID-19), schools in Northern Ireland closed their doors to normal school life on 23 March 2020.  Schools have faced an unprecedented situation and the transition of the entire school system to a remote learning model in such a short space of time has been remarkable but not without its challenges for everyone involved.
While everyone involved in the education community is experiencing the same storm, is everyone in the same boat? This article examines what we know so far of the challenges faced by pupils and parents during the lockdown and poses some questions about the after-effects for education in Northern Ireland.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 6th July 2020

 

 

'Exit’ from COVID-19 lockdown: Social distancing and face coverings to minimise the spread of the virus

The RaISe research paper 'Exit' from COVID-19 'lockdown': Health-related issues (20 May 2020) contained sections on transmission of the virus SARS-CoV-2 and two of the key issues – social/physical distancing from other people and the use of face coverings. This article updates these areas, looking at the guidance in place, the science behind it and the impact on the 'exit from lockdown'.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 1st July 2020 (updated 3rd July)

 

 

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Health and Social Care Workforce

This paper has been produced to support the COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee and the Health Committee with their scrutiny of the pandemic response. The paper will focus on the psychological wellbeing of health and social care staff who have been working on the frontline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It will look to evidence from previous pandemics to identify potential risk factors for adverse mental health outcomes and examine emerging local and international evidence from the current crisis. The paper will also explore how decision makers can support the mental health of their workforce as well as interventions being introduced across the UK to assist staff in managing their wellbeing.
Research Publication: Published on 25th June 2020

 

Fiscal ball gazing: How could the COVID-19 crisis affect NI’s public finances?

Governments around the world have undertaken very significant, and hugely costly, actions attempting to prop up businesses and employment through the course of the pandemic. The UK Government is no exception, with a wide variety of schemes to support businesses and protect employees' jobs and incomes.

The Executive, through the provision of rates reliefs and other measures, has supplemented these in Northern Ireland (NI). This blog article considers how COVID-19's accompanying economic contagion may infect NI's public finances. To explain how this might happen, it first addresses devolved public financial arrangements, before reviewing available evidence on what the future might hold.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 22nd June 2020

 

The impact of COVID-19 on Northern Ireland

This new visualisation based on figures and analysis published in the public domain by Ulster Bank, Danske Bank, NISRA, PSNI and Google Mobility Reports, looks at the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland.  It looks at a range of issues such as the private economy, consumer confidence, the claimant count, crime statistics and data from Google Mobility reports to map out the changing picture for Northern Ireland.

Figures will be updated on a monthly basis, excluding public holidays, as new data becomes available.
Research Matters blog article: Published 18th June 2020

 

 

Constituency Casework Guide - COVID-19: Housing Support

The purpose of this constituency guide is to signpost MLAs and their constituency staff to key information and resources on housing, and to provide answers to some of the frequently asked questions on housing repairs, repossessions, evictions, student housing, gas safety etc. The final section of the paper provides links to independent advice lines and other useful resources. Research Publication: Updated on 18th June 2020

 

 

‘Exit’ from COVID-19 lockdown: Use of testing and contact tracing

This article stems from RaISe paper ‘‘Exit’ From COVID-19 ‘lockdown’: Health-related issues’ (20 May 2020) and focuses on (and updates) the use of widespread testing and contact tracing as part of the solution to exiting ‘lockdown’.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 5th June 2020

 


How can our culture sector ever recover from COVID-19?

This article examines some of the risks which COVID-19 has posed to the culture and heritage sectors in Northern Ireland, and assesses whether the support measures put in place by the Northern Ireland Executive and its arms-length bodies match up to the interventions employed in other countries.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 29th May 2020

 


The Use of Digital Measures to Combat COVID-19

This paper has been produced to support the COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee and the Health Committee with their scrutiny of the pandemic response. The purpose of this paper is to provide information for the Health Committee on the use of digital measures aimed at combating the novel coronavirus COVID-19, specifically contact tracing apps and the use of 'big data'. The paper will examine the current and potential uses of both types of measures at various stages of the pandemic as well as the technical and ethical challenges that they present. The focus of this paper will be on the use of these measures in a European and UK context with reference to international experiences where appropriate.
Research Publication: Published on 26th May 2020

 


'Exit' From COVID-19 'Lockdown': Health-Related Issues

This paper has been produced to support the COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee and the Health Committee with their scrutiny of the pandemic response.  It discusses a number of factors relating to the spread of infectious disease to be borne in mind when considering measures to control the virus going forward. This includes the impact of infectious dose, viral load and asymptomatic cases and the relationship between the ‘lockdown’ and the ‘R’ number of the virus. It then goes on to review a range of health-related measures and actions related to easing the ‘lockdown’. 
Research Publication: Published on 20th May 2020

 


Ten reasons to be cautious about using R to support decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic

The ‘R number’ that most of us non-epidemiologists had never heard of before appears to be driving government policies everywhere and determining how we lead our lives. R is defined as the average number of secondary infections produced by a single infectious individual. In the simplest of terms, if R is above 1 (i.e. an infectious person is, on average, passing the infection on to more than one other person) then the outbreak is expected to continue and to spread exponentially. If, however, it can be kept below 1 the outbreak will be kept under control and will eventually die out. It is important to be aware, however, that the accuracy or otherwise of estimates of R will depend on the assumptions made, which may be erroneous, the quality of the data, which may be poor, and the epidemiological model used, of which there are many.

This article examines some of the caveats which apply to the use of R; it is a summary of a longer paper we have just published: When ‘R’ we going to get back to high fives, hugging strangers and kissing the Blarney Stone?
Research Matters blog article: Published on 19th May 2020

 


When 'R' we going to get back to high fives, hugging strangers and kissing the Blarney Stone?

The UK Government and the devolved Governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have recently announced their plans for gradually lifting the lockdown restrictions that were introduced to bring the spread of the COVID-19 disease under control. These plans have been informed by the latest scientific advice and, in particular, the ‘all important’ R number. This briefing note describes the epidemiological concept ‘R’, and examines its usefulness and limitations as a compass for guiding us through the mists of this plague.
Research Publication: Published on 19th May 2020

 


COVID-19 and Brexit: A reading list (updated)

Brexit and the negotiations during the current transition period may have slipped from the top of the news agenda, but commentators are already beginning to consider the likely impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Some of their outputs are provided in this short reading list, which also includes some analysis of how existing preparations for Brexit may have played into efforts to combat the outbreak. An earlier version of this reading list was published on 16 April 2020.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 19th May 2020

 


COVID-19 and planning measures

This article explores the temporary planning measures introduced as a response to COVID-19 across the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI). Some of these measures have, and will, require urgent legislative change, while other aspects are about the recommended adoption of more innovative and flexible approaches.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 18th May 2020

 


COVID-19: How is testing and contact tracing being used in Northern Ireland and beyond? 

This article is based on information extracted from the RaISe briefing paper: Testing for Sars-CoV-2 in the UK; and the Use of Testing and Contact Tracing in Selected Countries (published 4 May 2020).  For wider context, this article is best read in conjunction with that paper, which focused on reviewing the approaches to testing, contact tracing and related measures taken in NI, as part of the UK pandemic response. It also looked at a number of  selected countries which have taken a range of different approaches in this regard. The paper highlighted the importance of both timely testing and contact tracing to drive suppression of transmission of the virus to a low-level, to enable or maintain parts of economic and social life.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 7th May 2020

 


Comparative analysis of Covid-19 statistics

This Briefing Note examines a number of issues concerning comparisons of surveillance data on COVID-19 across different countries and regions.  In terms of the pandemic, the note also identifies three models of good practice and presents some meta data from selected countries.
Research Publication: Published on 7th May 2020

 

 
How will COVID-19 change our travel behaviour?

Transport policy has traditionally focused on changing the way people travel i.e. moving them from cars to public transport to ease congestion and improve the environment amid ever-increasing demand. But what if demand falls?  As we anticipate emerging from this unprecedented lockdown and can move more freely within society, the overwhelming question seems to be when will things get back to normal? From a mobility point of view, they may not. It will take time for trends to form but there are indications that home working, avoidance of public transport and increased active travel could become the ‘new normal’. Accommodating these changes will require a significant rethink when it comes to transport policy.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 7th May 2020

 


COVID-19 and farming – A bitter harvest?

2020 was already set to be a challenging year for farmers across the UK. Having finally reached an agreed Withdrawal Agreement with the EU, the UK is set to formally leave the EU at the end of the current transitional period in December 2020.  As a result of this decision, the UK and each of the devolved administrations were facing major changes in terms of how they would be supporting farmers outside the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) framework. There were concerns amongst some local stakeholders around the impacts that such moves would have on the nature and viability of agriculture here.  This article explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has made an already challenging year even more challenging.
Research Matters blog article: Published on 6th May 2020

 


COVID-19: Testing for Sars-CoV-2 in the UK; and the Use of Testing and Contact Tracing in Selected Countries

This briefing paper has been prepared to assist the Health Committee and COVID-19 Committee with their scrutiny of the COVID-19 testing strategies in the UK to date by reviewing testing in the UK and in a selection of other countries. The paper highlights the importance of both timely testing and contact tracing (manual tracing and ICT developments) to drive suppression of transmission of the virus to a low-level, to enable or maintain parts of economic and social life.
Research Publication: Published on 4th May 2020

 


Sources of guidance and support on the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19)

In order to provide support to Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), the Research and Information Service (RaISe) has produced this round-up of trusted, authoritative sources providing guidance and support relating to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We will do our best to keep this information updated on a regular basis.
Research Matters blog article: This article was last updated on 27 April 2020.

 


Where are we on the COVID-19 curve? (Update at 16 April 2020)

This is a follow-up to the recent blog article, ‘Where are we on the COVID-19 curve?. The previous article used three day averages for COVID-19 deaths to compare the positions of the UK and Ireland with those of Spain, Italy, France and Germany. This article provides an update on that and also includes Northern Ireland. The three day averages have been replaced with five day moving averages to iron out fluctuations arising from reporting delays and to allow a daily update in the RaISe blog article, Visualisation of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland.
Research Matters blog article: This article was last updated on 16 April 2020.

 


Where are we on the COVID-19 curve?

Most of us by now understand the need to 'flatten the curve' in order to reduce the number of overall cases of COVID-19 and to keep the peak of infections below the threshold of the capacity of the NHS. Staying at home, social distancing and lots of hand washing will undoubtedly help to achieve that and save lives. But staying at home and social distancing are such difficult things to do and we don't yet have any idea of how much longer we will have to continue to do that, because we don't know where we are on the curve. This article attempts to answer the question of where we are on the curve, and looks at some of the problems that the statisticians are wrestling with at the moment.
Research Matters blog article: This article was last updated on 10 April 2020.

 


COVID-19: Background, Public Health Measures and Testing for SARS-CoV-2 

This Briefing Paper has been prepared to support the NI Assembly Ad-Hoc COVID-19 Committee.  It provides some introductory background information on COVID-19 and then focuses on the policies and actions taken in the UK and other selected countries regarding tackling the pandemic, focusing on public health measures and testing of individuals.
Research Publication: Published on 2nd April 2020

 


COVID-19: The use of Personal Protective Equipment and Ventilators 

This Briefing Paper has been prepared to support the NI Assembly Ad-Hoc COVID-19 Committee. It provides information on the role of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) in infection control measures including an overview of current guidelines relating to their use. The paper will also look at the use of ventilators in supportive therapies to treat COVID-19 patients.  Lastly, the paper will explore how shortages of PPE and Ventilators are a major global issue of the ongoing pandemic and will examine actions taken by the UK government to increase supplies in the face of these shortages.
Research Publication: Published on 2nd April 2020

 


What is the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

The recent international coronavirus outbreak originated in the city of Wuhan, China and has received vast media attention due to its rapid transmission and the number of associated deaths. This blog article aims to provide an overview on what is currently known about the virus, the state of affairs globally and the measures in place for Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Because this is an ongoing and evolving situation, there are many unknowns and new information is emerging daily.
Research Matters blog article: This article was last updated on 4th March 2020

 

   

Transport trends during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland