Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

151. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence (details supplied) from the Health and Safety Authority regarding a business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24428/20]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

152. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review a response from the HSA (details supplied) to a business; if he will provide further advise requested by the venue hosting the business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24429/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together.

The recently introduced regulations  [Health Act 1947 (Section 31a – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020] - which state that events being organised may have no more than groups of 6 attendees indoors and 15 outdoors - apply to social, recreational, exercise, cultural, entertainment and community events.

The NPHET has recommended that other types of gatherings, which are not covered by the Regulations, could be permitted to go ahead with up to a maximum of 50 people, in line with public health guidance relating to physical distancing and other protective measures.

I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to the “Return to Work Safely Protocol” , which provides clear guidance to employers and to employees on the measures that must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol is mandatory, and it applies to all workplaces right across the economy.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is tasked with providing advice and support to employers and employees on what and how COVID-19 measures are applied in the workplace. My Department does not have statutory responsibility for the HSA, therefore the views of the HSA in relation to the health and safety aspects of covid-19 are a matter for the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation. 

Guidance on the matter raised by the Deputy should be sought from the HSA Helpline which can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie.

Public health advice in operation at the present time is available on the Government website at .