Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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On the 1st of May, this Government published its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business to ease the COVID-19 restrictions and reopen Ireland’s economy and society in a phased manner. The roadmap started from 18 May and the plan sets out five phases for unlocking restrictions, at three week intervals. At all times we will be guided by the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team and each three week interval will see a review of public health situation.

A National Protocol has been finalised by Government, employers and trade unions, with the assistance of the Health and Safety Authority, which will support a gradual restart of economic activity as restrictions are eased, while protecting the health and safety of workers as they return to work.

The Protocol has been developed following discussions at the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF), which is the forum for high level dialogue between Government, Union and Employer representatives on matters of strategic national importance.

The Arts Council has recently appointed an Advisory Group to assess, inter alia, how arts organisations can emerge from lockdown, implementing hygiene and social distancing protocols as necessary, and how in due course, to safely return to public attendance and participation under advice from the relevant authorities. 

While ultimately, it will be a matter for employers to assess their readiness to reopen safely in accordance with the National Protocol, my Department is engaging with its agencies, and through its agencies with a wide of sectorial stakeholders, on preparations under the Roadmap Plan and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead.