Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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70. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has received and or requested a risk assessment report in relation to the closure of the construction sector as a result of public health advice. [12201/21]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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71. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of constructions sites and projects that remained open and or operational for January, February and March 2021, by county. [12202/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together.

The Government announced that additional public health restrictions would apply under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19 on 6 January 2021. The additional restrictions required all construction activity to cease from 6pm on Friday 8 January, with a number of exceptions, whcih are set out in The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (as amended).

The decisions in relation to the enhanced restrictions followed advice from NPHET that the situation with the virus had deteriorated to the point where there was an absolute need to reduce the level of mobility and congregation in order to reduce all opportunities for transmission. The construction sector had responded well to the challenges presented by COVID-19 during 2020 with effective protocols put in place. However, the trajectory of the disease was such that the Government took the decision that most construction should cease with effect from 8 January 2021. The Regulations in place provide for certain exemptions to allow the continuation of certain essential construction activity. The exemptions were based on decisions taken by the Government and extend beyond the remit of my own Department.

On 23 February, the Government announced that the current level 5 restrictions will remain in place until 5 April 2021, when the easing of restrictions relating to construction will be considered.

The Housing Agency is mantaining a register of projects, which have been designated as essential social housing projects under the Regulations. The table below sets out the number of projects designated in each local authority.

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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72. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if persons (details supplied) who have outstanding renovation works on their home from before 31 January 2021 are exempt from Covid-19 restrictions. [12242/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government announced that additional public health restrictions would apply under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19 on 6 January 2021. The additional restrictions required all construction activity to cease from 6pm on Friday 8 January, with a number of exceptions. These measures are set out in The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (as amended).

With regard to private housing development, the Regulations provide that housing and construction works ongoing on 8 January could continue where the works required to render the property capable of occupation were scheduled for completion by 31 January 2021. The Regulations also provide for the supply and delivery of essential or emergency maintenance and repair services to businesses and homes (including electrical, gas, oil, plumbing, glazing and roofing services) on an emergency call-out basis.

On 23 February, the Government announced that the current level 5 restrictions will remain in place until 5 April 2021, when the easing of restrictions relating to construction will be considered.