Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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282. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which clothing shops are to operate when they reopen with specific regard to trying on clothes and returns. [9912/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business sets out how the COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted. Ireland is now in Phase 2 of the roadmap.

The Roadmap is a living document and Government has demonstrated great flexibility in its decision to accelerate the phases as set out in the original Roadmap which is based on the input and advice of NPHET. The Government also had regard to a paper which was developed by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to provide an updated assessment of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify, from an economic perspective, some priority issues for re-opening of economic activity under Phase 2. This paper, “Economic Considerations for Reinstating Economic Activity - Update for Phase 2”, is available on my Department’s website at .

As a result of the Government’s decision of 5 June 2020 more retail outlets are permitted to open up from Monday 8 June 2020. The advice on this matter is that retailers must put measures in place in their stores to minimise the spread of infection among customers and staff.

These could include:

- protective screens and barriers

- operating new queueing approaches

- limiting the number of customers and staff per store at any one time

- providing cleaning stations

- increasing store cleaning and hygiene

- considering store layout to facilitate social distancing

- closing changing room facilities

- controlling the number of individuals that staff and customers interact with at any one time

- introducing frequent cleaning of customer touchpoints and providing hand sanitiser at entrance and exit points

- limiting customer handling of stock, for example, through different display methods, new signage or rotation of high-touch stock

- storing items that have been returned or handled extensively (footwear) in a separate room for 72 hours before displaying them on the shop floor

- removing seating areas (with exception of those for people with mobility/disability requirements)

- extending opening hours to reduce crowding

- implementing car park restrictions

This advice is available at .

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.

Additionally, the National Standards Authority of Ireland’s (NSAI) published the 'COVID-19 Workplace Protection and Improvement Guide', which is available at and the 'Covid-19 Retail Protection and Improvement Guide' which is available at

These Guides contain useful 'how to' information that can be applied across many businesses.

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 restart grant (to help small businesses with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures), wage subsidy scheme, 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

Under the reconfiguration of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business announced on the 5th June, there are now just two remaining phases instead of three, with Phase 3 starting on the 29th of June, and Phase 4 on the 20th of July. Further work will be carried out in the coming days and weeks to determine which actions will take place in each phase. Updates to the roadmap can be found at www.gov.ie

It is important to note that all decisions taken by Government on the timing of any lifting of restrictions as envisaged in the next two phases of the Roadmap will be informed by the public health advice at the time.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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283. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when casinos may reopen in accordance with public health guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9928/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the reconfiguration of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business announced on the 5th June, there are now just two remaining phases instead of three, with Phase 3 starting on the 29th of June, and Phase 4 on the 20th of July. Further work will be carried out in the coming days and weeks to determine which actions will take place in each phase. Updates to the roadmap can be found at www.gov.ie.

The Roadmap is a living document and Government has demonstrated great flexibility in its decision to accelerate the phases as set out in the original Roadmap.

The input and advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) informed the Government’s decision to proceed with Phase 2 and to accelerate elements of the Roadmap. The Government also had regard to a paper which was developed by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to provide an updated assessment of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify, from an economic perspective, some priority issues for re-opening of economic activity under Phase 2. This paper, “Economic Considerations for Reinstating Economic Activity - Update for Phase 2”, is available on my Department’s website at .

On 8^thJune the Minister for Health, Simon Harris T.D., signed SI No.206 of 2020, Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions)(COVID-19)(No. 2) Regulations. These Regulations, which shall remain in operation until 29^thJune, provide for the unwinding of certain restrictions, including the reopening of retail outlets and extending the distance that may be travelled for specified purposes. The Regulations also provide for continued restrictions for some businesses or services and for offences, including in relation to events. Businesses should carefully review these Regulations. Casinos and Private Members’ Clubs at which gambling activities are carried out are included in Schedule 2 of SI No.206 of 2020 which sets out which businesses or services are not permitted to reopen in this Phase.

As regards the reopening of casinos in a later phase, the Roadmap and the updates should be reviewed carefully and a detailed assessment of their activities carried out 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 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.

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 .

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 Phases 1 and 2 and I will work within Government to secure further details and clarity for businesses as we progress through the remaining phases 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 the next two phases of the Roadmap will be informed by the public health advice at the time.