Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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86. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the section of the reopening framework which refers to the development of specific guidelines being developed with the sector; the details of the discussions to date; the stage the guidelines are at; the date they will be competed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27526/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Covid-19 has had a devastating and unprecedented impact on the sectors for which I have responsibility.  Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport are integral parts of the fabric of society, supporting economic activity, physical and societal well-being. I recognise that while absolutely necessary to protect us all, the impact of the public health guidelines disproportionally affects the sectors supported by my Department.  The public-facing and audience driven nature of the arts, culture, tourism and sports means that each time there is an escalation for any county in the Level applicable under the Living with Covid Plan those sectors will be hardest hit. The Government is acutely aware of these challenges.

The Government recently published Resilience & Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with Covid-19, which sets out the medium-term approach being taken to managing virus-related risks while facilitating continued economic and social activity insofar as possible.  As the Deputy notes, the Framework for Restrictive Measures under the Plan makes provision for greater numbers of people to attend organised events at levels 1 and 2 of the Framework in appropriately-controlled environments in very large purpose-built event facilities, in line with public health advice and subject to specific sectoral guidance to be developed.

My Department has already ensured that detailed guidance is available for a range of sectors in relation to COVID-19 restrictions. Officials are in ongoing discussions with relevant stakeholders and the Department of the Taoiseach to examine how best to make appropriate provisions in relation to the Resilience & Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with Covid-19 whilst safeguarding public health and limiting the spread of COVID-19.