The COVID-19 

pandemic reached the Republic of Ireland on 29 February 2020,[3] and within three weeks had spread to all counties.[4][5] The pandemic affected many aspects of society. On 12 March, the government shut all schools, colleges, childcare facilities and cultural institutions, and advised cancelling large gatherings.[6] St Patrick's Day festivities were called off,[7] and the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, addressed the nation that night. On 24 March, almost all businesses, venues, facilities and amenities were shut;   but gatherings of up to four were allowed.[8] Three days later, the government banned all "non-essential" travel and contact with people outside one's home (including family and partners). The elderly and those with certain health conditions were told to cocoon. People were made to keep apart in public. The Garda Síochána were given power to enforce the measures, which were repeatedly extended until 18 May.[9]  The lockdown has caused a severe recession and an unprecedented rise in unemployment,[10] with a longer lockdown forecast to cause greater damage.[11] A COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and a Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme were set up. The Leaving Certificate, Junior Certificate and all Irish language summer courses in the Gaeltacht were cancelled. The All-Ireland Senior Football and Senior Hurling championships were postponed indefinitely, the National Football League left uncompleted. The Dublin Horse Show was cancelled for the first time since 1940. Other yearly events cancelled included the Tidy Towns competition (the first time in its 62-year history), the Rose of Tralee (61 years), the National Ploughing Championships and Listowel Writers' Week.  The Health Service Executive (HSE) launched a recruitment campaign, asking both healthcare and non-healthcare professionals to "be on call for Ireland".[12] With the process of government formation not yet complete following the 2020 Irish general election (which took place in early February, shortly before the outbreak reached Ireland), the previous government of the 32nd Dáil remained in post during the initial several months of the pandemic. Dáil Éireann sat with fewer members due to social distancing requirements. The Oireachtas passed an emergency act giving the state power to detain people, restrict travel and keep people in their homes to control the virus's spread.[13] Further emergency legislation passed the following week.  By mid-April, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) reported that the growth rate of the pandemic had been driven "as low as it needs to be",[14] that the curve had flattened and that there would be no peak coming.