Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the return of click and collect options/for non-essential retail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20867/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 Ahead which 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.

As Chair of the Retail Forum, 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.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

3. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on classifying shops that exclusively sell underwear as essential retail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20868/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand this is an incredibly difficult time for businesses and their customers across the country and I 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. 

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 .

The decision on the categorisation of essential services and/or essential retail outlets is not primarily a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

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 4 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.

Retailers can and have made arrangements, on compassionate grounds, for individual customers to urgently purchase a non-essential item in store. This is only in exceptional circumstances where it is not possible to plan ahead and avail of remote ordering services such as in emergencies, e.g., admission to hospital.

We are asking retailers to exercise their best judgement and common sense on a case by case basis, to ensure those requiring urgent access to a non-essential item are accommodated.

COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead  which 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.

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