Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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485. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the conditions under which it will be possible to allow the reopening of hairdressers under regulations compliant with Covid-19 restrictions using surgical masks, gloves and screens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9459/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business sets out five stages for unlocking the restrictions put in place to contain the Coronavirus, at three week intervals. The Roadmap sets out how we can keep the level of transmission of COVID-19 as low as possible while balancing continuing restrictions in proportion with the positive social and economic benefits which will be brought about by businesses reopening. 

On 15 May the Government announced that we would move to Phase 1 of the Roadmap from 18 May. This decision was taken having regard to the advice received from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) at the time. The categories of workers, list of retailers and other facilities that can reopen under Phase 1 are available on the Government’s website gov.ie.

Businesses should review the Roadmap carefully and carry out a detailed assessment of their activities with regard to the continuing public health measures.  Businesses should, based on their assessment, identify which category in which phase of reopening they will be in a position to reopen safely and in line with the continued public health measures.  It is not necessary for businesses to seek official authorisation to reopen.

The National Return to Work Safely Protocol is a useful guide for businesses in making their assessments and adapting their workplace procedures and practices to comply fully with the COVID-19 related public health protection measures. It sets out in very clear terms for employers and workers the steps that they must take firstly before a workplace reopens, and then while it continues to operate. The Protocol is available at

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General guidance on the use of PPE is set out on page 16 and 17 of the National Return to Work Safely Protocol. In the context of COVID-19 risk, employers should check the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) website regularly for updates regarding use of recommended PPE.

The Health and Safety Authority, which is an agency of my Department, is the lead agency in overseeing compliance with the Protocol in the workplace.  If employers or employees need further guidance on the Protocol, the HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 orwcu@hsa.ie.

I met recently with members of the hairdressing and beauty industry via teleconference and understand that preparatory work is being undertaken by the hairdressing sector and others in developing guidelines and safety protocols, with reference to the Government’s Return to Work Safely Protocol. I requested that, where sectors are developing protocols or guides, they need to work together to align this work. For example, barbers' representative bodies should collaborate with hairdressers representative bodies on a single aligned protocol for their sector. I am keen to support sectors on their safe reopening on this aligned and collaborative basis and should the hairdressing sector wish to send me details of their sectoral protocol, I will be happy to convey these to the Minister for Health.

In order to assist businesses to address the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Government has put in place a comprehensive suite of supports for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities. These supports are designed to build confidence, to further assist businesses in terms of the management of their companies and to allow them to begin looking to the future and start charting a path forward for weeks and months ahead. For a full list of supports for business please see

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I recognise the impact that this pandemic is having on businesses right across the country. I know that employers and employees want to get back to work and I support them in that ambition, but it must be safe to do so.  My Department contributed to the considerations around the phased re-opening of sectors under Phase 1 and I will work within Government to secure further details and clarity for businesses as we progress through the phases outlined in the Roadmap.

It is important to note that all decisions taken by Government on the timing of any lifting of restrictions as envisaged in Phases 2 to 5 of the Roadmap will be guided by the public health advice at the time.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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486. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason certain homeware businesses that sell furniture were not allowed to reopen under phase 1 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and if she will review this decision to enable such business that have implemented strict health and safety polices to adhere to the return to work protocol to reopen. [9479/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As Chair of the Retail Consultation Forum, I am acutely aware that Covid-19 has brought particular challenges for retailers - large and small, across the country. It is a particularly difficult time for retailers who have had to close their doors in the interest of public health and adherence to the public health guidelines

The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business sets out five stages for unlocking the restrictions put in place to contain the Coronavirus, at three-week intervals. The Roadmap sets out how we can keep the level of transmission of COVID-19 as low as possible while balancing continuing restrictions in proportion with the positive social and economic benefits which will be brought about by businesses reopening.  It is important to note that all decisions taken by Government on the timing of any lifting of restrictions as envisaged in the Roadmap will be guided by the public health advice at the time.

On 15 May the Government announced that we would move to Phase 1 of the Roadmap from 18 May.

This decision was taken having regard to the advice received from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) at the time. The categories of workers, list of retailers and other facilities that can reopen under Phase 1 are available on the Government’s website gov.ie.

With regard to homeware outlets, I wish to draw your attention to the list of retailers that are able to open published on 15th May as; hardware stores, builders' merchants and those providing essential supplies and tools for gardening, farming and agriculture; garden centres and farmers markets; Opticians/Optometrists/Outlets providing hearing test services, selling hearing aids and appliances; retailers involved in the sale, supply and repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles and related facilities (e.g. tyre sales and repairs); office products and services; electrical, IT and phone sales, repair and maintenance services for home. This does not include homeware stores.

Only stores providing homeware incidental to primary retail functions set out in the original Essential Services list are to reopen in Phase 1. It is not intended that stores which might also classify themselves as homeware, but primarily sell items such as furniture, bedding, curtains, kitchenware, crockery or other such items etc. should open.

The advice for individuals is still to stay at home as much as possible. During Phase 1, it is intended that customers should restrict visits to such stores for essential supplies. All retailers are encouraged to continue to provide on-line services where that is possible and appropriate to minimise footfall. All of these retail outlets must implement physical distancing measures and measures set out in the National Return to Work Safely Protocol.

Government continues to monitor progress on Phase 1 and will assess progress this week. As set out in the Roadmap, Phase 2 is a reopening based on size rather than sector.

The National Return to Work Safely Protocol is a useful guide for businesses in making their assessments and adapting their workplace procedures and practices to comply fully with the COVID-19 related public health protection measures. It sets out in very clear terms for employers and employees the steps that they must take firstly before a workplace reopens, and then while it continues to operate. The Protocol is available at

The Health and Safety Authority, which is an agency of my Department, is the lead agency in overseeing compliance with the National Return to Work Safely Protocol in the workplace.  If employers or employees need further guidance on the Protocol, the HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie.

It is imperative that all businesses must adhere to physical distancing requirements and the latest public health guidance at all times.

A wide range of financial supports and guidance has been made available by my Department and wider Government to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Full details of all supports and guidance is available at

Finally, it is important that all businesses checkfor the latest information, public health advice and guidelines from Government in relation to Covid-19.