Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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348. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has received a report in relation to indoor sport during level 3 restrictions (details supplied); and when she will issue a response to the organisations involved. [37090/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Government's Resilience and Recovery Plan 2020-2021 provides for indoor individual training only in Level 3. It also states explicitly that there should be no exercise or dance classes in this level.

While I am pleased to note that COVID-19 data indicates improvements across a range of indicators, which gives us hope that the epidemiological situation is once again coming under control, it is too early at this point to consider the easing of restrictions.

The draft guidance to which the Deputy refers was developed by the Expert Group on the Return to Sport, which was established by my Department in May 2020. Guidance in draft form has been shared with other relevant Departments. Following completion of the consultation process, it is my expectation that this guidance can be published in the near future, in sufficient time for its application under the appropriate level of the Government’s Resilience and Recovery plan.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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349. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the Irish step dance community is unable to operate indoor solo classes by following a pod system and adhering to strict social distancing guidelines at levels 3 and 4 of the plan for living with Covid-19; her views on whether this is fair given that similar and comparable artistic and athletic activities such as stage school, gymnastics and drama for children have been allowed to continue; her further views on whether this inconsistency is both unfair and may potentially put Irish step dance under threat if prolonged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37117/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I wish to assure the Deputy that I understand the frustration of individuals and businesses who are anxious to continue the normal day-to-day social,  professional and creative activities which are integral to how we live in society.   The Framework for Restrictive Measures is a risk management strategy designed to allow individuals, families, businesses and services to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures Government might introduce to prevent escalation of the transmission of Covid-19.  Each level of the framework contains a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering risk of transmission in alignment with the risk level at that time.  The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe.  Instead, they are baskets of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others. 

The Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September, 2020.  At present, Ireland is at Level 5 of the Plan. The public health risk at level 5 means that we are all asked to stay at home, with limited exceptions.  Information on the public health measures currently in place in relation to the different Levels can be found at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/

The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.8) Regulations 2020 give effect to Level 5 restrictions under the Plan.  The Regulations list essential retail and essential services which may operate under Level 5 restrictions.  This list does not include private or commercial dance classes.  Under Part 2 of the schedule to the Regulations, essential education encompasses primary and post-primary schools, and higher and further education where remote learning is not possible. Where a service provider considers that they fall into the essential education category e.g. as part of the national curriculum or as part of a specific, state-sponsored course of study, they should refer to the Department of Education’s guidance in relation to the operation of education services under Level 5 restrictions.

Similarly, The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.7) Regulations, which applied when the country was under Level 3 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19, did not allow any exercise or dance classes, regardless of the form e.g. Irish, ballet, jazz etc.  The only exceptions to this are for individual training or for classes to take place outdoors with a maximum of 15 people attending.  It should also be noted that the regulations specifically prohibit the opening of dance studios, other than insofar as they provide gymnasium facilities for use by persons taking exercise on an individual basis. Gyms were also allowed to provide for individual training only under the No. 7 Regulations, they were not allowed to run exercise or dance classes.

At present the Government has made no decision regarding which level or particular restrictions will apply after 1 December as that will depend on the epidemiological situation at the time.  The impact of any and all restrictions for every sector, including dance, will be considered carefully as the Government seeks to balance the public health risk posed by COVID with economic, social and wellbeing considerations.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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350. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the closure of outdoor sporting facilities for athletics available for all but exempted activities; her views on whether it is fair that such outdoor sporting facilities remain closed while other local sporting facilities operated by other similar organisations (details supplied) remain open; her views on whether the same rules should be applied for all similar and comparable facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37118/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Given the current epidemiological situation with high incidence of disease, widespread community transmission, and considerable numbers of hospitalisations and deaths, it has been necessary to put in place very significant restrictions to arrest the current trajectory of the disease and break transmission chains. This means asking people to stay at home and eliminating as much activity and contacts as is possible to ensure that opportunities for the virus to transmit are minimised, while allowing essential activities to continue. Unfortunately, this means minimising discretionary activities including sporting activity.

Currently, in Level 5 sporting competition is not permitted except for defined exempted athletes and teams, as set out in the public health regulations. In addition to this, non-contact outdoor sports training, including athletics, is permitted for school aged children in pods of up to 15. Other members of the community are asked to exercise alone or with members of their household, within 5km of their homes.

While I am pleased to note that COVID-19 data indicates improvements across a range of indicators, which gives us hope that the epidemiological situation is once again coming under control, it is too early at this point to consider the easing of restrictions.

While the Government fully understands the benefits that sport brings to peoples overall health and well-being, the measures in place to suppress the disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising and protecting some activities over others. Such activities include health and social care services, education and other essential needs, work and economic activity, and other key societal interests (in so far as possible) such as sporting activity and family gatherings.