Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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215. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if gastropubs and restaurants have been provided with advice or recommendations regarding the reopening of the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41326/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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A suite of sector specific guidelines have been published on the Fáilte Ireland website to assist tourism and hospitality businesses reopen and operate in line with Resilience & Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with Covid-19 and the new Work Safely Protocol.  Designed as “living documents”, these guidelines are updated periodically, as required, in line with the latest Government health advice and related restrictions/provisions.

The guidelines of relevance to restaurants and pubs operating as restaurants are, respectively, the “Guidelines for Re-opening Pubs” and “Guidelines for Re-opening Restaurants & Cafés”, which are available on the Fáilte Ireland website.  These comprehensive operational guidelines cover a range of important matters, including putting together a business response and action plan; employee and customer health; ventilation; employee responsibilities; physical distancing; cleaning products and protocols; back of house; and the kitchen area; as well as guidance on dealing with suppliers of goods and services.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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In line with the recent decision of the Government in regard to restrictions applying at present under Level 3, no live or loud music is permitted in restaurants and pubs operating as restaurants.

This restriction is one of an overall “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.  Rather, they are “baskets” of measures, which are informed by public health understanding of the disease and recognise we can and must prioritise some activities over others.  

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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217. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if guidelines will be provided on when soccer training for children and adults can resume. [41467/20]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Government's Framework for Restrictive Measures, soccer training on an individual, outdoors only, non-contact basis had been permitted to take place under Level 5 for school age children in pods of up to 15. Under the current Level 3, this position applies for both children and adults. On behalf of the Return to Sport Expert Group, Sport Ireland has issued guidance material for the sports and physical activity sector, which is available on its website. 

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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218. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for allowing cinemas to reopen while theatres must remain closed under level 3 restrictions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41469/20]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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223. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason theatre venues are not permitted to open for limited live performances and under certain restrictions post 1 December 2020; the reason a decision was taken to allow cinemas to open and not theatres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41085/20]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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224. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will respond to queries raised by the director of an arts centre (details attached) in relation to the most recent phase 3 announcements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41087/20]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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231. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason there is discrimination between the private and commercial arts training sector compared to the publicly-funded sector with regard to the restrictions being imposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41242/20]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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254. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the Department person, company or body to be responsible for working with purpose-built venues and theatres on their plans to reopen in levels 1 and 2 safely, as per the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with Covid-19; when this person, company body or Department responsible will be hired and-or announced; the date by which they are to begin to work with purpose-built live venues and theatres to prepare to work towards reopening in 2021 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41742/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 218, 223, 224, 231 and 254 together.

The Government’s medium-term Strategy Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19, sets out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19, in a range of areas, over a period of 6 – 9 months.

The Plan aims to allow society and businesses to operate as normally as possible, while protecting our key priorities of supporting and maintaining health and social care services, keeping education and childcare services open and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.

The Plan consists of 5 levels each with a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering the risk of transmission of Covid-19 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, but are “baskets” of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease.

The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios is based on experience and reviews of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed insofar as possible.

Under Level 3 of the Framework, live performance in front of an audience is not permitted and theatres remain closed to the public. Therefore, it was not possible at this time to allow for live entertainment including live theatre performances to return other than in very limited circumstances outdoors.

Under the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 9) Regulations 2020), the filming, or other recording of performances in a theatre, concert hall, museum or art gallery, without an audience present, is permitted for the purposes of broadcasting such performances on the internet, radio or television.

The Arts Council is working with theatres and arts centres and other representative bodies to ensure that there is comprehensive guidance available to ensure compliance with the public health guidelines. It intends to continue this work over the coming months. Earlier this year, Theatre Forum produced guidelines for the safe reopening of theatres and under which, theatre operated safely and successfully during the summer months.

Live performance, with audiences and artists gathering indoors, is a complex issue and we must ensure everything is done in a safe setting. Galleries, museums and cinemas have been able to reopen after special consideration was given to those venues. The disappointment of theatre practitioners who demonstrated diligence and responsibility in their approach to the challenges posed by COVID-19 is wholly understandable. We all want to see the return of live performance as soon as possible and the Department will continue to work with the Arts Council, Theatre Forum and other stakeholders towards that objective.

I am very conscious of the importance of theatre in Ireland. It is an important source of employment for artists and arts workers, and it is an art form which engages and connects society, in addition to providing a source of well-being support.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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219. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the specific guidelines that apply to seasonal events; and the rationale for these guidelines under the current level 3 guidelines of the living with Covid plan. [41477/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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A new section of guidance for seasonal experiences has been added to the tourism sectoral guidelines for Visitor Attractions, Hotels, and Activity Providers, which are published on the Fáilte Ireland website.

Designed to apply primarily to a “fluid, trail-like” seasonal experience or “adventure” in the setting of a visitor attraction or activity – such as a seasonal Santa Experience – this new section of guidance contains advice on a range of important aspects including pre-arrival; cleaning and disinfection protocol; physical distancing; contact tracing; visitor considerations; and further specific guidance on outdoor seasonal fairs.

The specific guidance on seasonal experiences was considered a useful addition to the existing guidelines in the run-up to Christmas and reflects the latest Government health advice and related restrictions/provisions in place at present under Level 3.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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220. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the decision to keep dance classes closed while similar indoor activities are allowed to open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41533/20]

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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222. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will review current Covid-19 restrictions in order to allow dance classes to resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41807/20]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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234. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the anomaly whereby dance classes still cannot take place even though roller discos are now to be permitted; and if her Department is seeking to develop safe protocols for same. [41321/20]

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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236. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the Covid-19 guidance that has been given on children's dance classes during level 3; if one-to-one classes are allowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41423/20]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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238. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if dance classes are included in the unpublished draft guidance on indoor sport developed by the expert group on the return to sport. [41535/20]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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243. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the rationale behind the decision made on children's dance classes under level 3 of the living with Covid plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41680/20]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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244. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has engaged with or plans to engage with any of the organisations that provide children's dance classes to hear their concerns about Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41681/20]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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247. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason indoor dance lessons are prohibited under the current Covid-19 guidelines; the public health evidence for this decision; her views as to whether specific guidelines can be introduced to lessen the risk - for example, smaller numbers, the wearing of face masks, shortened classes - and facilitate a resumption of dance classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41688/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 220, 222, 234, 236, 238, 243, 244 and 247 together.

I am very aware of the significant impact the COVID-19 crisis has and continues to have on the sectors that my Department supports. The Framework for Restrictive Measuresis a risk management strategy designed to allow individuals, families, businesses and services to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures Government might introduce if there is an escalation of the transmission of Covid-19.

From 1st December, the country has moved to Level 3 of the Government’s Plan for Living with Covid-19. Under these restrictions, indoor dance and exercise classes remain suspended. Individual training, including one-to-one instruction is however allowed at Level 3 and this applies to sport, dance and exercise.

Individual training can be defined as individual, physically distanced, non-contact activity, completed in a pre-defined area, within a controlled environment and without the sharing of equipment. While dance studios are closed at Level 3, they can provide facilities for use in individual dance practice or dance training.

While these measures mean that individual activities can take place, individual training and one-to-one instruction should not be viewed as a way of reintroducing organised dance classes which are specifically precluded under the current public health measures.

While there is understandable frustration by many sectors about the current restrictions, the focus in the run-up to Christmas, is on allowing many activities to proceed as possible, while at the same time being mindful of the priority of safeguarding public health.

The Arts Council is in the process of preparing guidance on individual dance practice/training which will be available shortly. In the meantime, Sport Ireland guidance for individual training may be used ().

The measures which should be considered to reduce risk, under the Sport Ireland Guidance include:

- Staggered start and finish times combined with appropriate entry, exit and traffic management protocols to limit the interaction of participants at any one time.

- Prebooking of activity is essential.

- Reduction in the overall duration of the activity.

- Participants arrive ready to train and leave immediately (no changing room or shower use).

- Additional signage, hand sanitization stations and deep cleaning implemented. No equipment sharing in any circumstances.

- Activity should take place in a predefined area which is visually marked out and directionally signed.

- The space required in this area should reflect the nature and intensity of the activity

- There should be in excess of 2m social distancing between each of the predefined areas.

- The cleaning and ventilation of facilities should be conducted in accordance with the Governments most recent .

Additional measures to reduce for one-to-one instruction from Sport Ireland Guidance include the following:

- Any demonstration of equipment or technique should ensure that a minimum of 2m social distancing is maintained.

- Individual equipment should not be shared.

- In the case of fixed equipment, cleaning of such equipment must be completed immediately after demonstration and before the individual participant uses.

- There should be no hands-on adjustments or physical contact during training sessions.

- Instructors should refer to the HSE guidance on wearing of face coverings.

The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.9) Regulations 2020, which gives effect to the current modified Level 3 provisions, provides that individuals may attend a primary school or a secondary school for educational reasons. Individuals may also attend a university, higher education institution or other education and training facility in person if it is necessary for such educational reasons.

Some performing arts activities may take place within the context of the national curriculum or as part of a specific course of Education, for example, choir and music activities for music class. For activities under the curriculum or as part of a specific course of Education, the Department of Education’s Roadmap for the Reopening of Schoolsand associated guidance should be applied.

It should be noted that these arrangements do not include classes which

- do not take place on school premises or in a recognised state-sponsored education setting, other thanwhere the activity is part of the curriculum and must take place at another location e.g. a community centre or swimming pool;

- are extra-curricular classes i.e. those which an individual is pursuing outside of the school day for their own personal development;

- are courses of additional study outside of the school day but which relate to the curriculum e.g. grinds.

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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221. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position on the restrictions on cafés (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41557/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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A suite of sector-specific guidelines have been published on the Fáilte Ireland website to assist tourism and hospitality businesses reopen and operate in line with Resilience & Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with Covid-19 and the new Work Safely Protocol.  Designed as “living documents”, these guidelines are updated periodically, as required, in line with the latest Government health advice and related restrictions/provisions.

The guidelines of relevance to cafés are the “Guidelines for Re-opening Restaurants & Cafés”, which are available on the Fáilte Ireland website.  These comprehensive operational guidelines cover a range of important matters, including putting together a business response and action plan; employee and customer health; ventilation; employee responsibilities; physical distancing; cleaning products and protocols; back of house; and the kitchen area; as well as guidance on dealing with suppliers of goods and services.

With specific regard to the purchase of coffee for consumption on-site in a café, there is no accompanying requirement also to purchase a substantial meal with the coffee.  That requirement applies to businesses and services where intoxicating liquor is sold or supplied for consumption on the premises where, in line with the restrictions applying at present, alcohol may only be served to those also ordering a substantial meal for consumption during or after the meal.