The Evaluation will assess Ireland’s management and experience of the pandemic to learn for the future.
Ireland’s COVID-19 Evaluation is an independent non-statutory entity, chaired by Professor Anne Scott. Guided by its Terms of Reference, the overall objective of the Evaluation is to help learn lessons. Its wide remit incorporates pandemic responses across hospitals, the community and nursing homes, along with wider economic and societal impacts.
The Evaluation’s output will be a comprehensive Report, following a fact-finding approach. It will harness requested documentation and inputs; relevant national and international research and reports; and wide-ranging consultation, to help better understand peoples lived experiences of the pandemic.
Programme of Work
Accurately capture how the pandemic was managed.
Assess how health and social care system performed to inform lessons and evaluate real impacts right across society.
Examine long-term residential care facilities for older persons, with a particular focus on the experience of bereaved families.
Make recommendations on crisis approaches which strengthen decision-making, help navigate trade-offs and protect democracy and human rights.
As the Evaluation progresses, updates will be provided under the News and Updates section.
Information on how people can directly engage with the work of the Evaluation Panel, will be available under the Share Your Experience section in the coming weeks.
An opening message from the Chair
7 February 2025
Those of us who have lived through the pandemic, and the families of those who died, have an opportunity to assist current and future generations, by reflecting on that experience and drawing out learnings, to help shape future responses to such crises, with capability, compassion, fairness and effectiveness.