Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1198. To ask the Minister for Health the rules that apply for taxi services to Dublin Airport if the distance from home or work is more than 5 km to the airport but still within County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32624/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19was published by the Government on 15 September, 2020. This Plan provides a framework setting out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months.

The framework sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help us all lower COVID-19 transmission and setting out what is permitted at that moment in time. It is framed to account for periods during which there is a low incidence of the disease, with isolated clusters and low community transmission, through to situations where there is a high or rapidly increasing incidence, widespread community transmission and the pandemic is escalating rapidly in Ireland and globally. It recognises the need for society and business to be allowed to continue as normally as possible and is designed so that either national or county level restrictions can be applied.

The Plan reflects a careful consideration of the impact of the introduction of restrictions on employment and livelihoods, keeping as many businesses open as possible at different stages, while acknowledging that some businesses and services are critical. It acknowledges that sports, arts and other social activities are central to our well-being and that sports and arts are also the world of work for our many in our communities.

Ireland has moved from a short-term emergency response approach to a medium-term approach to managing risk and repairing the damage that COVID-19 has inflicted on society.

As the Deputy is aware, Ireland is now at Level 5 of the Plan. Under Level 5, people are asked to stay at home at all times unless they have a reasonable excuse for travelling. The relevant regulations, as set out in SI No. 448 of 2020, provide for a number of exemptions to this requirement to remain at home, including travel to and from work, where work involves providing an essential service; to attend education; to attend medical appointments and collect medicines and other health products; to travel to attend disability day services; to travel to attend a court; for food shopping; to take school aged children to permitted training; for vital family reasons, such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people; for farming purposes; to attend a wedding or funeral or to visit a grave; and to take exercise within 5 km of home.

Details of public health measures in place at Level 5, including domestic travel and essential services are available at

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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1200. To ask the Minister for Health if he will bring forward restrictions for bookmaker outlets to protect staff and clients from Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32620/20]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1217. To ask the Minister for Health if dog day care centres can remain open under current level 5 guidelines. [32686/20]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1384. To ask the Minister for Health if weight consultation and weight loss support groups are an essential service (details supplied). [33484/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1200, 1217 and 1384 together.

Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19which was published by the Government, sets out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months.

The Plan sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help us all lower COVID-19 transmission and setting out what is permitted at that moment in time. It aims to allow society and businesses to be able to operate as normally as possible, while continuing to suppress the virus. Each level outlines what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services.

The Plan reflects a careful consideration of the impact of the introduction of restrictions on employment and livelihoods, keeping as many businesses open as possible at different stages, while acknowledging that some businesses and services are critical.

You will be aware that Ireland is now at level 5 of Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. At level 5, only essential retail and essential services are permitted to open and all other retail and services are closed. Bookmaker outlets are have not been classified as essential retailers.

Details of level 5 measures, including essential retail and essential services, are available at the following link:

Current regulations and other Statutory Instruments related to the Covid-19 pandemic are available at the following link:

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1201. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide data on confirmed Covid-19 infection among persons in the age group from four to 12 and 13 to 18 years, respectively, by week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32633/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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1202. To ask the Minister for Health if clarity will be provided to persons or companies that provide services related to weddings including hairdressers, make-up artist and other related services; and if these services can be utilised outside of a salon setting at the wedding venue in view of the new level 5 restrictions. [32636/20]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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1299. To ask the Minister for Health if beauty therapists, hairdressers and photographers can still operate to provide their services to brides, grooms and facilitate weddings going ahead in view of the fact weddings of 25 persons are allowed to go ahead under level 5. [32996/20]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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1307. To ask the Minister for Health the guidelines in place for weddings taking place under level 5 of the Living with Covid plan; the maximum number of guests permitted; if guests are permitted to stay overnight at a venue; if guests, the wedding party and associated persons can travel outside of the 5 km restrictions to attend the wedding; if musicians are permitted to attend and play at ceremonies and receptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33051/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1202, 1299 and 1307 together.

The Government has provided guidelines for weddings taking place at Level 5 of the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19.

25 guests may attend the wedding ceremony and wedding reception and this 25 does not include the persons getting married or persons attending in a professional capacity.

Guests are permitted to travel to attend the wedding and a minister of religion or priest is permitted to travel to conduct wedding services.

Hotel accommodation may be provided for 25 guests and the persons getting married.

Personal services such as hair and make-up services are not permitted at Level 5 in any setting and wedding dress shops are closed to the public.

It is permitted to have a baker provide a cake and it is permitted to have a photographer provide their services.

Live music and dancing are not permitted at Level 5 and the wedding reception must be fully seated. Novelty supplies and acts are also not permitted.

The wedding guidelines are available here: