Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

531. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason elite athletes have an exemption that allows them to travel for their sporting matches and not restrict their movements for 14 days upon their return; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32819/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

International travel is an essential part of normal preparation and competition for many high performing, elite athletes. In particular, such athletes have to travel overseas to compete for qualification competitions and to attend training camps.

The Expert Group on the Return to Sport has prepared a protocol on “International Travel for High Performance Sporting Activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic”. The purpose of this document is to mitigate against elite athletes becoming infected with COVID-19 whilst abroad and also to mitigate the risk of visiting athletes coming to Ireland with COVID-19 and transmitting the virus whilst here.

Key elements of the protocol include the daily monitoring of the athlete's health prior to travel, the creation of a “Travel Bubble” whilst abroad, which limits the athletes’ social interaction whilst abroad, and the restriction of movement and daily monitoring of their health on return.

On return to Ireland, elite athletes are expected to restrict their movements outside of sport activities for 14 days. Restrictions include prohibition on use of public transport, limitation on visitation to other households and of others to their homes.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

532. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the impact Covid-19 level 5 restrictions will have on advertising revenue for local newspapers; if her Department will consider developing a specific package of financial supports to address the particular and unique challenges faced by local print media; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32827/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government has put in place a range of supports for all businesses which are available to the print and online sectors during health restrictions imposed by Covid-19. The production and publication of newspapers, journals and periodicals and the distribution of those publications has been listed as an essential service.

The new Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, expanded the remit of the Public Service Broadcasting Commission to become the Future of Media Commission, tasked with considering the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion. On 29 September 2020 the Government agreed the terms of reference and membership of the Future of Media Commission.

I look forward to receiving the Commission's Report on the completion of its work which will inform media policy including print media.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Guidance on the Level 5 provision for non-contact training for school aged children has been issued by Government and is available on Sport Ireland's website. The exemption applies to school-age children of 18 years and under, operating in pods of up to 15 outdoors only.

The training activity permitted is subject to strict supervisory controls and monitoring conditions. No sport is specifically precluded from availing of this exemption, subject however to all non-contact training activities maintaining a 2-metre distance from others while participating in team or group-based practice within the permitted pod size and without physical contact between participants.

Any club or group that is not in a position to apply all of the necessary measures or be in a position to enforce them should not hold training sessions.