Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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73. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if gold prospecting is defined as essential work during the current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5668/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government advice is clear that within level 5, people should work from home unless it is absolutely necessary to attend in person for the delivery of an essential service. The list of essential services is available at www.gov.ie. My Department communicated with the minerals exploration sector in March and September 2020 to reiterate the advice provided by the Health and Safety Authority for employers in relation to COVID-19 and the Health Service Executive’s COVID-19 best practice guidelines on restriction of movements and self-isolation.  My Department continues to review the situation and may issue further notices as the situation develops.