Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The move back to level 3 restrictions has been welcome for many businesses and I encourage the public to shop local as we approach Christmas. I have received several phone calls about the lack of guidance over stage schools in level 3. Some gymnastics clubs and drama classes state that they can open, but it looks like they are using the previous level 3 guidelines. The new guidelines state clearly that no organised indoor gathering should take place and that for outdoor sports, it is individual training only. This means, for example, no dance classes, ballet, gymnastics, basketball, racquetball, squash, Zumba or drama. Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools can open for individual use only. This does not include other leisure facilities.

This is very frustrating for schools that have essentially remained closed since March. It is frustrating when their teachers are being asked to go to school to teach dancing, which is absolutely wrong when the same children cannot attend their weekly dance and drama classes. I ask for clear guidance on this because there has been considerable confusion about level 3. Even though we are glad to have the shops open, it is important.

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