Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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156. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the Covid-19 measures that have been implemented to allow the Army bands to practice and train in their entirety. [44111/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces School Music (DFSM) is organised as follows:-

- Headquarter Company (including Directorate),

- Army No.1 Band based in Cathal Brugha Bks, Dublin

- Band 1 Brigade based in Collins Bks, Cork

- Band 2 Brigade based in Custume Bks, Athlone.

In line with Defence Forces wide Covid 19 mitigation measures all DFSM personnel are provided with individual hand sanitisers and face masks. There are also sanitising stations outside all band rehearsal rooms and offices.

All rehearsal and training spaces have been measured and signage on the doors to these spaces indicates the number of personnel allowed in the rooms at any one time in order to comply with the 2 metre social distancing guidelines.

Small ensembles, typically quintets have been rehearsing, appropriately spaced, in rehearsal rooms. No equipment is shared and personnel have been working in woodwind/brass pods with no crossover between the pods.

The band conductor and percussionists wear masks during rehearsal and rehearsals are strictly limited to 50 minutes followed by a 20 minute period of ventilation. Corridors and rehearsal spaces are ventilated at all times during the working day.

In early November 2020, band halls in Cathal Brugha Bks, Dublin and Custume Bks, Athlone have been modified and fitted with the installation of air extraction systems . Perspex screens (2m high x 2mm thick) have been fitted in Collins Bks Cork and in Custume Bks Athlone . Screens will be provided in the Cathal Brugha Bks band hall by mid- January 2021. These measures will allow greater numbers to rehearse at any one time but will not allow for pre-Covid numbers of up to 30 persons per band.

A number of full band outdoor rehearsals took place during August and September with appropriate social distancing; however, even with the measures outlined above no band is rehearsing with full participation due to the limitations of the available spaces and strict adherence to the Government guidelines.