Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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369. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the events industry can expect guidelines on best practice for events in view of physical distancing; and if so, when they can expect to receive such guidelines. [15726/20]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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370. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the actions she plans to take following the meeting with art workers and freelance technicians represented by an organisation (details supplied). [15862/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 369 and 370 together.

The Government is aware of the unprecedented impact that the coronavirus is having on business and people’s livelihoods and particularly on the event industry. The Government operates two universal supports for all sectors.

- The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, (TWSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners, has been extended to 31 August 2020. The TWSS allows employers to retain the link with employees so that when this crisis passes, people can get back to work as quickly and seamlessly as possible.

- The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. The PUP has been extended to 10 August 2020.

The third phase of lifting the public health restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus took effect from 29 June 2020, when museums, galleries, theatres, concert halls and other cultural outlets were allowed to reopen. Phase 4 of the Roadmap for reopening society and business is due to commence on 20 July, subject to government approval.If it proceeds as planned, pubs, bars and casinos can re-open and gatherings of up to 100 people indoors and 500 outdoors will be permissible.

Reopening is subject to the Phase 3 and Phase 4 restrictions on numbers public health advice on social distancing. As the country continues to reopen, every step will be guided by scientific evidence and public health advice, including in relation to any restrictions in place. Updates to the roadmap can be found at www.gov.ie.

Before re-opening, every business and organization must prepare its own re-opening plan as laid down in the National Return to Work Safely Protocol to comply fully with the COVID-19 related public health protection measures. Further guidance is available from the Health and Safety Authority as the lead agency in overseeing compliance with the National Return to Work Safely Protocol in the workplace. The HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie.

My Department has responsibility for initiatives specific to the tourism sector and events and festivals. To this end, a Tourism Recovery Taskforce was set up to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The plan will identify priority aims, key enablers and market opportunities for the sector for the period 2020-2023. Full details including updates may be accessed at this link www.gov.ie/en/publication/8f914-tourism-recovery-taskforce-news-and-updates/.

Fáilte Ireland recently published guidelines for the tourism sector in line with the Government’s Roadmap and which were prepared in consultation with the tourism industry and relevant authorities. These guidelines are intended to assist tourism businesses meet requirements in line with the Return to Work Safely protocol and based on the latest health advice. The report can be accessed at this link. .

The Government is preparing a July stimulus package which will set out additional supportive measures for a range of sectors to ensure that the economy is in a position to recover rapidly. Details will be announced by Government in due course.