Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I can assure the Minister of State and whoever wrote the script that I do look at the media, including newspapers, on a daily basis. The guidance last week was welcome but it involves the organisation of cultural activities outdoors. The key appeal here concerns enabling children and teenagers to be able to plan and have certainty or some degree of certainty as to when decisions will be made as to when in-person indoor classes and participative activities can take place. To be fair, we did not see that last week. This is all we are looking for.

Everybody is extremely mindful that this has to be a summer where most activity will take place outside. However, as with the reopening of schools, which, of course, has to take place inside, there are other activities that can only happen inside. We cannot take a piano outside. While some drama classes can take place outside, a lot has to take place inside because of sheer physical resources and infrastructure, particularly in Dublin. Last week's announcement was welcome but we still do not have clarity and children and young people deserve clarity as to when in-person classes at a safe distance can take place.