Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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230. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason underage soccer players have been advised that they are unable to return to training and matches while in level 3 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42919/20]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the current level 3 restrictions it has been decided that the FAI Elite U19 and U17 Leagues for young women and men will be permitted to conclude their seasons. My Department has been assured by the FAI that the protocols and control measures applied for training and matches for these teams are equivalent to those applied for the senior teams. My Department is also satisfied that robust compliance structures are in place to ensure adherence to these protocols.

It is regrettable that at this time, it is not possible to permit a broader return to competition, but the current Level 3 restrictions are clear that matches and competitive sporting events are not permitted except for professional and elite sportspeople. This is in recognition of the need to limit insofar as possible person-to-person contact to prevent transmission of COVID-19. The protocols applied for elite sports training and competition are aligned with international best practice and have been developed in consultation with the Expert Group on the Return to Sport. It is unfortunately not feasible for every sporting body to apply such rigorous COVID-19 protocols. Neither is it possible to apply them at every level of competition, whether in a club or school.

Under the current restrictions, clubs including soccer clubs, can engage in non-contact training outside in pods of up to 15. My Department and Sport Ireland are engaging with the Football Association of Ireland and other sporting bodies to inform a review of the measures currently in place for sporting activity, which will be considered by Government early in the New Year. The issue of resuming competitions and leagues will form part of the review.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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231. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to allow for sport to resume among children both in and outside of school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42924/20]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to clarify for the Deputy at the outset that the prevailing restrictions in Level 3 are as determined by the Government in accordance with The Framework for Restrictive Measures, which is a risk management strategy that is designed to allow individuals, families, businesses and services better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures Government might introduce to stop escalation of the transmission of COVID-19. The Government’s strategy, in line with the public health advice, is disease suppression. Under the Government's Framework for Restrictive Measures, children’s sport has continued since the publication of the Recovery and Resilience Plan in September, subject to certain restrictions on activities indoors and outdoors.

Under Level 3 effective from 1^stDecember the following measures apply to Children’s sport:

- Outdoors: Non-contact training only in pods of up to 15.

- Indoors: Individual sports training only. This should be conducted in line with the guidance developed for indoor sport. No exercise or dance classes should take place.

In relation to whether sport takes place inside or outside the school setting, a clear distinction has to be made between sport, especially sport in the community, and PE lessons in schools. PE lessons involve a range of activities of which team and individual sports are just one component part. The guidance to schools published by the Department of Education advises that PE lessons should be timetabled as normal where possible during the Covid-19 pandemic, although modifications may have to be made to the range of activities undertaken.

While activities up to Grade 3 of the HPSC COVID-19 Interim recommendations for the return to sports activities for children and adolescents

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may be possible depending on public health guidelines in effect at any particular time, individual activities and outdoor activities should be prioritised in PE lessons as these present less risk.

Detailed guidance has issued to post-primary schools with regard to how practical subjects, including PE, can continue during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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and schools should consult this document, particularly with regard to the list of activities that present a relatively low to moderate risk in PE lessons.

The Government recognises the importance of a broader resumption of sport for both children and adults. In that context, my Department and Sport Ireland are engaging with the various sporting bodies to inform a review of the measures currently in place for sporting activity, which will be considered by Government early in the New Year. The issue of resuming competitions and leagues, which have a particular appeal for children, will form part of the review.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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234. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider allowing instrumental music at weddings under strict regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43009/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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On 27 November the Government agreed the approach for easing restrictions, including a phased move to Level 3 nationally, with a number of exceptions in place for the Christmas period. The exceptions for the Christmas period are designed to support people to have a meaningful Christmas, albeit different to other years. The main objective is to stay safe and keep the COVID-19 numbers down so that we can maintain the lowest possible level of restrictions into the New Year. While weddings with up to 25 guests are permitted additional restrictions include no live music. This includes live instrumental music.

In line with the Plan for Living with COVID-19the Government has, in recent months, framed restrictions to account for periods where there is low incidence of the disease, with isolated clusters and low community transmission, through to situations where there is high or rapidly increasing incidence, widespread community transmission and the pandemic is escalating rapidly in Ireland and globally. Throughout this period the Government has made special provision for weddings in view of the importance of these occasions to couples and the level of planning that is involved for couples and their families.

Each level of the Plan for Living with Covid-19 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 risk level at this time has meant that some activities have not been permitted such as live music at weddings. I understand the difficulties these restrictions pose for couples on their special day and the impact on musicians and bands. Nonetheless, the restrictions are informed by public health understanding of the disease, in particular how background noise and music can cause people to raise their voices and lean closer together.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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235. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider allowing 50 persons to attend weddings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43010/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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On 27 November the Government agreed the approach for easing restrictions, including a phased move to Level 3 nationally, with a number of exceptions in place for the Christmas period. The exceptions for the Christmas period are designed to support people to have a meaningful Christmas, albeit different to other years. The main objective is to stay safe and keep the COVID-19 numbers down so that we can maintain the lowest possible level of restrictions into the New Year. Currently weddings with up to 25 guests are permitted. Any changes in this regard will be a matter for the Government and subject to ongoing review of the trajectory of the virus.