Written answers

Tuesday, 1 December 2020

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Covid-19 Pandemic

Photo of Christopher O'SullivanChristopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if venues will be allowed to host live music sessions under level 2 restrictions provided enhanced physical distancing and proper hygiene protocols are in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40139/20]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Under the Government’s living with Covid-19 plan attendances at organised indoor gathering are allowed in limited numbers when the country is at Level 1 or at Level 2 of the measures in place to keep us all safe. In this case organised indoor and outdoor gatherings are those having controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager such as events in theatres or other arts events.

In the case of indoor events under Level 2, up to 50 patrons are permitted and in pods or groups of up to 6 if appropriate, with arrangements to ensure no intermingling of groups. Up to 100 patrons are permitted for larger venues where strict 2 metre seated social distancing and one-way controls for entry and exit can be implemented.

In the case of organised outdoor gatherings under Level 2, up to 100 patrons are permitted for the majority of venues and up to 200 patrons for outdoor stadia or other fixed outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000 (with robust protective measures as per sectoral guidance).

For very large purpose built event facilities (for example: stadia, auditoriums, conference or event centres) specific guidance is being developed for indoor and outdoor gatherings with the relevant sectors to take account of size and different conditions for larger events.

Further information on Level 2 can be accessed on the gov.ie website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/18e18-level-2/.

Photo of Christopher O'SullivanChristopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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258. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider whether swimming lessons can be allowed under level 3 restrictions provided enhanced hygiene protocols are in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40172/20]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Government's Resilience and Recovery Plan 2020-2021 provides for indoor individual training only at Level 3. It also states explicitly that there should be no exercise or dance classes at this level. My Department has issued guidance to the sports and leisure sector confirming that group swimming lessons are not permitted in Level 3. Only one-to-one swimming instruction is permitted in Level 3.

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 sports and important family gatherings.

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. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.

While I am pleased to note that COVID-19 data indicates some 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 further easing of restrictions, including those currently applying to swimming pools.

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