Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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285. To ask the Minister for Health if a toddler group or play café can continue to operate in a parish hall or community centre for more than six persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22896/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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You will be aware that the situation regarding COVID- has been, and continues to be, an evolving situation. COVID-19 is still having a major impact both here in Ireland and elsewhere. The measures in place and the public health advice have been adapted to the changing circumstances and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.

Progress has been made on suppressing the virus due to the huge effort of our citizens. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. We all must continue to do everything possible to avoid the virus spreading.

The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and it provides advice to Government in line with the current epidemiological position. The latest public health advice on these matters is available at the links below and is updated on a regular basis.

The latest public health advice is available at the following links and is updated on a regular basis:

The recently introduced regulations [(S.I. 326 of 2020) Health Act 1947 (Section 31a – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020], which state that events being organised indoors may have no more than 6 attendees apply to social, recreational, exercise, cultural, entertainment and community events.

Those who are responsible for organising community groups should ensure that a controlled environment is in place for such groups.

Not every type of gathering and group is easily categorised as the categorisation of such groups depends on the structure of the individual group, how they are organised and how they operate.

The HPSC has produced guidelines for the childcare sector

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which is specifically targeted at early learning and care and school age childcare services. However, it does include some guidance on the safe operation of parent and toddler groups during Covid-19. It is important to note, however, that the guidance does not state when such groups may operate but rather gives guidance on how they may operate safely when allowed to do so.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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286. To ask the Minister for Health if siblings of a close contact can attend primary school while the close contact is awaiting a test and or result; if siblings of a close contact can attend secondary school whilst the close contact is awaiting a test and or result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22899/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Siblings of a close contact do not need to restrict their movements and can attend primary/secondary school while the close contact awaits their test and test result as long as the close contact remains asymptomatic. The HPSC has provided guidance to cover this area.

If a child has no symptoms of COVID-19, but they need to be tested because they have been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, then as with all close contacts, the child must restrict their movements for 14 days after last contact with the confirmed case and will be tested for COVID-19 at day 0 and day 7. Even if day 0 and day 7 tests come back as ‘not detected’ (negative), the child still need to restrict their movements for 14 days and watch out for symptoms of COVID-19. Household contacts of the child, including siblings, do not need to restrict their movements (they can go to primary/secondary school) while test results are awaited, as long as child who is a close contact remains asymptomatic.

If a child needs a COVID-19 test because they have symptoms of COVID-19, then the child must self-isolate while awaiting their test result and their household contacts, including siblings, must restrict their movements (siblings cannot go to primary/secondary school) while the child awaits their test result.

Detailed information is available on the HPSC website -