Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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142. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the immediate reintroduction of click and collect services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18174/21]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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152. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consideration has been given to enabling click and collect services to support customers and businesses during current public health guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18432/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142, 152 and 162 together.

I understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for businesses and their customers across the country and would like to thank them for their continued support of the national effort through this unprecedented public health crisis.

Under Level 5, in line with public health guidelines, only essential retail outlets will remain open and the current temporary restrictions in Level 5 will stay in place until at least 4 May 2021. Further information can be found on gov.ie

The decision to move to full scale Level 5 was not taken lightly and all factors were considered.

S.I. No. 168 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) Regulations 2021 () clearly sets out the temporary restrictions under Level 5. A list of essential services can be found at and the list of essential retail outlets at Level 5 can be found at

Level 5 does not restrict people from purchasing any product, it does however restrict people from physically going into non-essential stores. This is to stop people making unnecessary journeys, congregating and browsing for non-essential goods, to limit the spread of the virus.

Under the current temporary restrictions while click and collect of non-essential retail items is no longer permitted, click or phone and delivery can continue.

Under consideration from 4th May, subject to prevailing public health situation, is the phased return of non-essential retail commencing with click and collect and outdoor retail, for example: garden centres/nurseries.

COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Aheadwhich can be found on , sets out the approach to the next phase, which is subject to ongoing review and taking into account the evolving epidemiological situation.

All decisions taken by Government on the timing of any lifting of restrictions are informed by the public health advice at the time.

I meet regularly with Retail Forum members and representatives from the retail grocery and distribution sector to discuss and assess adherence to the public health restrictions.

The Government has introduced a wide range of supports to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and they can be found on the Department’s website

It is important to monitor gov.ie for the latest information, public health advice and guidelines from Government in relation to COVID-19.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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143. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the need for a defined plan for reopening retail business; his views on whether there is a need for a reopening plan as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18175/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for businesses and their customers across the country and would like to thank them for their continued support of the national effort through this unprecedented public health crisis.

Under Level 5, in line with public health guidelines, only essential retail outlets will remain open and the current temporary restrictions in Level 5 will stay in place until at least 4th May 2021. Further information can be found on gov.ie

The decision to move to full scale Level 5 was not taken lightly and all factors were considered.

S.I. No. 168 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) Regulations 2021 () clearly sets out the temporary restrictions under Level 5. A list of essential services can be found at and the list of essential retail outlets at Level 5 can be found at

Under consideration from 4th May, subject to prevailing public health situation, is the phased return of non-essential retail commencing with click and collect and outdoor retail, for example: garden centres/nurseries.

COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Aheadwhich can be found on , sets out the approach to the next phase, which is subject to ongoing review and taking into account the evolving epidemiological situation.

In preparing for reopening, we are asking businesses, including non-essential retailers, to revisit their work safely protocols and their compliance with national health guidelines.

- The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) ‘The Work Safely Protocol’ incorporates the current advice on the Public Health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and workplaces. The Protocol is available on www.gov.ie. The HSA is the lead agency in overseeing compliance with the Protocol in the workplace. If employers or employees need further guidance on the Protocol, the HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie.

- The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) have produced two guidance documents, one for the retail Sector and one for Shopping Centres. Both documents can be found on www.nsai.ie

It is important to note that all decisions taken by Government on the timing of any lifting of restrictions will be informed by the public health advice at the time.

The Government has introduced a wide range of supports to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and they can be found on the Department’s website

It is important to monitor gov.ie for the latest information, public health advice and guidelines from Government in relation to COVID-19.