There were 1,100 excess deaths during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, a study by the Society of Actuaries in Ireland has found.

Some 9,491 people have died from COVID-19 since 2020.

However, the study also considered reductions in flu deaths, road deaths, and other factors around lockdown restrictions in the report.

Their analysis found 52 excess deaths in 2020 and 1,026 in 2021.

On Newstalk Breakfast, Society of Actuaries spokesperson Linda Daly said the lockdown rules contributed to a rise in excess deaths in 2021.

“It’s important that this study is looking at deaths from all causes, not just COVID-related deaths,” she said.

“While there were additional deaths from COVID-19, there were fewer deaths from other causes like flu, car accidents, and huge restrictions in place," she said.

“We showed in our report that lockdown measures employed in the country in 2020 were much stricter than in 2021 and we believe it could be a factor contributing to a lower level of excess deaths.”

The study measured what constitutes an excess death by looking at death trends from the three years before the pandemic.

Members of the public wearing face masks on the Luas during the COVID pandemic, 05/01/2022. Image: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Ms Daly said Ireland is considered to have had  “a relatively low level of excess deaths” during COVID, in comparison to other countries.

“We’re very mindful that there’s a lot of families with bereaved ones behind this 1,100.

“But we showed in our report that this 1,100 is not within normal variability and for 2021 it’s outside that.

“This is a genuine hike in mortality for that year, It’s not within normal variability.”

Excess deaths learnings

She also hopes the study will feed into the looming COVID inquiry.

“I know the Government has indicated they would have one in 2024 but we’re still waiting for a date," said Ms Daly.

“We would like a full thorough investigation into what will work well in this country and possible improvements in case we’re in a pandemic situation again.

“We’re quoting facts, it’s based on factual data from the country.”

An OECD report, which Ms Daly said used different methodology and provisional data, found no excess deaths during COVID in 2021 and 2022.

On the other hand, CSO data has found there were 3,533 excess deaths in the same period.

Main image: Signs instructing the public during the coronavirus pandemic in Dublin city, Ireland. Image: Mark Henderson / Alamy Stock Photo