Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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81. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the plans in place to allow caravan and camping parks to safely reopen; if consideration has been given to the sectors proposed for safe tourism packages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21597/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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With regard to the reopening dates for different sectors of the economy, in line with the plan set out in The Path Ahead and after taking full account of the current status of COVID-19 in the community and the public health advice, the Government has been implementing a limited phased easing of some Level 5 restrictions through the month of April.  Following individual and collective consideration by Ministers of all relevant factors, further Government decisions and announcements regarding the position to apply for May and beyond are intended to facilitate the continued safe, reopening of more services on a phased basis as the public health situation permits.

These decisions are made by Cabinet, on foot of advice from NPHET and the Minister for Health.  This cautious approach is due to continue until a substantial level of vaccination has been achieved, at which point we hope to move to reopen our society more widely.

With specific regard to caravan and camping sector, tailored guidelines for caravan and camping parks are available on the Fáilte Ireland website, alongside a range of other sector-specific guidelines for other types of tourism businesses, to assist with safe reopening and continued safe operations in line with Government advice.  To further reinforce employer, employee and customer confidence in safe operations and adherence to the relevant sectoral guidelines, caravan and camping park operators (as well as other tourism businesses) are also encouraged to sign-up to Fáilte Ireland’s COVID-19 Safety Charter.