Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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212. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if animal caring centres that operate in a crèche manner service are permitted to remain open under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32604/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Following the advice of NPHET, the Government made the decision to move the entire country to Level 5 of the Framework for Living with COVID-19 for a period of six weeks . While essential retail and services including schools, early learning and childcare will remain open, all non-essential services must close. A list of essential services can be found at

Businesses should carefully review the essential services list and determine whether they can operate or not under the current restrictions. It is not necessary for businesses to seek official authorisation.

This decision was not taken lightly, and I am acutely conscious of the impact it will again have on businesses. That is why since the beginning of the pandemic, the Government has worked to support businesses through this difficult time with a comprehensive range of measures for firms of all sizes.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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213. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if window cleaning services are permitted to operate under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32605/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Following the advice of NPHET, the Government made the decision to move the entire country to Level 5 of the Framework for Living with COVID-19 for a period of six weeks . While essential retail and services including schools, early learning and childcare will remain open, all non-essential services must close. A list of essential services can be found at

Businesses should carefully review the essential services list and determine whether they can operate or not under the current restrictions. It is not necessary for businesses to seek official authorisation.

This decision was not taken lightly, and I am acutely conscious of the impact it will again have on businesses. That is why since the beginning of the pandemic, the Government has worked to support businesses through this difficult time with a comprehensive range of measures for firms of all sizes.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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214. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if hotels that host a wedding reception for the permitted 25 persons can host those 25 guests overnight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32588/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 is a cross-government approach to managing and living with the pandemic over the next 6 – 9 months.

The Government decided that, from midnight on Wednesday 21st October, the entire country would move to Level 5 of the Plan, with a small number of exceptions.

This action was based on current public health advice, the deteriorating situation with the disease across the country, the Government’s objectives to support families by keeping schools and childcare facilities open, maintaining non-Covid health services and protecting the vulnerable.

Essential Services Guidance published by the Department of the Taoiseach includes Accommodation and food services provision:

- hotel or similar accommodation services to persons who are guests of those hotels or similar accommodation on the 21st day of October 2020 until the date of their departure

- hotel or similar accommodation services to guests travelling for purposes other than social, recreational, cultural or tourist purposes

- operation of hotels or similar accommodation services providing essential accommodation (including accommodation for homeless persons and persons in direct provision, persons who are unable to reside in their usual place of residence due to reasons related to the spread of COVID-19 or otherwise) and related services

- hotel or similar accommodation services to guests attending a wedding

- food and beverage service activities for supply to a business engaged in an essential service

- provision of food or beverage takeaway or delivery services

Further information on essential services can be found at: .