Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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127. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the advice and rules given to gym operators during the Covid-19 pandemic regarding their opening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29877/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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IIn In May, 2020 an Expert Group on the Return to Sport was established to provide guidance to Ireland’s sporting bodies to prepare for the phased return to sporting activity in line with the Government guidance. This Group is chaired by my Department and includes medical experts from the Sport Ireland Institute and the sports sector, as well as officials from both my Department and Sport Ireland. The Group also contains a specific representation from the disability sport sector.

The guidance material that has issued via Sport Ireland from the Return to Sport Expert Group is available on Sport Ireland's website.

O In regard to gyms, the opening rules applicable to gym operators are those set out in the Government's National Framework for Living with COVID-19, published on 15 September 2020 i.e. for the currently prevailing Level 3, gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools may open but for individual training only. No organised Group Activity such as exercise classes or swimming lessons is permitted.