Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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285. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department has responsibility for allotments and community gardens; and if not, the Department or body that does. [31733/20]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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286. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if allotments and community gardens are now classified as essential and will not be closed down under any of the phases of the national framework for living with Covid-19. [31734/20]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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287. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department will introduce guidance documents for local authorities to help with the provision of allotments and community gardens under the Local Government Act 2001. [31735/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 to 287, inclusive, together.

My Department has responsibility for the Local Government system, which in turn, has responsibility for the provision of allotments and community gardens.

Further to Covid-19 public health restrictions, the classifying of essential services is a matter for the Department of Health and the National Public Health Emergency Team for COVID-19 (NPHET) in the context of the ongoing public health measures.

I am of the view that having regard to local variation between communities living in different areas, it would not be appropriate to tailor general guidance on allotments to local circumstances. I have no plans to issue guidance on specific matters such as that raised in the question but I will keep the matter under review.