Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if Gaeltacht summer colleges and other youth summer camps will be permitted to go ahead in summer 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21965/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In the context of the Department’s role of supporting the Irish Language Summer Colleges sector and in order to provide clarity insofar as possible on the general COVID-19 safety measures required on the part of key players in the sector, my Department published draft COVID-19 Guidelines for the sector last week.

The guidelines are primarily aimed at the directors of the Irish Colleges and the qualifying Gaeltacht households who provide accommodation to students attending any of the 40 or so recognised Gaeltacht colleges.

These guidelines are subject at all times to change on foot of emerging circumstances, regulations and overall public health advice. The guidance is, therefore, a live draft document.

I have held a series of online meetings with representatives of the households that provide accommodation to the students and a meeting was also held with the representative body of the Gaeltacht summer colleges, CONCOS, in order to hear their views and suggestions on the draft guidelines.

I am very grateful to all those who participated in the consultation process.  It was important for me, as Minister of State and for my officials, to hear directly from stakeholders about their concerns and it was clear that public health remains the primary concern of all.

It remains to be seen whether the Irish Language Summer Colleges will be able to proceed this year due to the ever-changing COVID-19 situation and my Department continues to monitor developments in order to be able to make a final decision at an early date and in consultation with stakeholders.

With regard to summer camps in the Gaeltacht, I am delighted personally, and of course for the Gaeltacht community, that out-door summer camps are likely to go ahead this year – with understandable restrictions in place in the interest of public health. My Department’s Summer Camp Scheme provides an excellent opportunity for young people in the Gaeltacht to take part in enjoyable events together each summer in an environment in which Irish is spoken – which is of benefit to both the youth and to the Irish language. We all understand the unique challenges facing young people at present as a result of the pandemic and, as such, it is very important that the summer camp organisers follow the additional guidelines which are in place this year due to COVID-19.

The safety of the participants and staff is always of the utmost importance to my Department and, as such, will be monitored on an ongoing basis in the context of changing public health advice.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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69. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her vision for tourism, culture, arts, sports and media given the ongoing presence of Covid-19; her plans for further interventions which might benefit these sectors in the weeks and months ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3391/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The COVID-19 pandemic has utterly changed the operating landscape for the sectors my Department supports.  I recognise the ongoing impact the pandemic and associated public health measures continues to have on these sectors, on the people who work in them and on the communities that depend on them.

However, we should also recognise that these tough decisions have enabled all of us, through collective action, to protect the most vulnerable in our society, and with the ongoing rollout of the vaccination programme we find ourselves positioned at the beginning of a process where we can start to focus our efforts on economic and social recovery.

I have been actively working with and for the sectors within my remit to ensure that they are supported during the pandemic and have established a number of fora and taskforces to ensure that I have the most up to date information about the difficulties facing these sectors.

The Government's - The Path Ahead - plan particularly recognises the need for bespoke sectoral supports to address the worst impacted sectors in the forthcoming National Economic Recovery Plan. 

There has already been some key changes for the sports and tourism sectors in April. These include the reopening of outdoor visitor attractions, outdoor sports facilities and the return of underage non-contact outdoor training in pods of 15.

As we come into the summer months more activity can take place outside. Fáilte Ireland’s Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme, which is being delivered in partnership with the local authorities, aims to develop outdoor dining capacity nationwide with a budget of €17million.  

Over the coming months, as the restrictions ease and the vaccine programme is rolled-out, we will see the safe and successful reopening of our society, and with it our Tourism sector, our Arts and Culture venues and events, and the eventual welcoming back of fans to our sportsgrounds.