Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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559. To ask the Minister for Health the reason churches and other places of worship irrespective of size are being restricted to allowing only 50 attendees over the coming weeks; the reason the number allowed does not relate to the size of the church and to general social distancing rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13631/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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573. To ask the Minister for Health when churches and places of worship will be allowed to reopen in the context of easing Covid-19 restrictions; the specific guidelines which need to be adhered to in respect of public health advice by the NPHET; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13706/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 559 and 573 together.

As the Deputy is aware, on 19 June 2020, the Taoiseach, on behalf of the Government, announced the restrictions that would be eased and the measures that will be in place in Phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business. On Thursday 25th June the Government confirmed the move to Phase 3 of the Roadmap from Monday, 29 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 3 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at 

The Government also agreed to bring forward actions in the remaining phases of the Roadmap and plan for four phases rather than the five originally indicated. This will be subject to continued progressive improvements in the health indicators identified in the Framework for Future Decision-Making described in the Roadmap.

The Deputy will may wish to note that religious buildings and places of worship may now be reopened. Further detail on the precise arrangements that are intended to apply to their operation during this period will be made available as soon as possible.