Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

277. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the role she foresees in the roll-out of antigen testing to support the sustained reopening of cultural and sporting events in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23780/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

284. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the research that has been conducted by her Department into the holding of large indoor and outdoor cultural and sporting pilot events as she proposed on 29 April 2021; and if the conclusions of any such research will be published. [23860/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

286. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the specific projects for large indoor and outdoor cultural and sporting pilot events to which she was referring when she proposed that such events could take place on 29 April 2021; and the work that has been carried out to prepare for these events. [23862/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

287. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she expects the large indoor and outdoor cultural and sporting pilot events she referred to on 29 April 2021 to commence. [23863/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

288. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the consultation that took place with the Department of Health before she announced on 29 April 2021 that large indoor and outdoor cultural and sporting pilot events could be organised. [23865/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

289. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the input her Department had into the preparations for the large indoor and outdoor cultural and sporting pilot events under continued health restrictions proposed by her on 29 April 2021; and the role her Department will have in any such pilots and the reopening of the cultural and events sector. [23866/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

310. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the preparations that have been made for the reopening of small organised indoor events; when they can be expected to restart; if pilot small indoor live events will be organised alongside the proposed pilot large events; when they will take place; and the consultation she has undertaken with performers, venues and organisers of small indoor events to plan a reopening since the Living with Covid Plan was published in September 2020. [24534/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 277, 284, 286, 287, 288, 289 and 310 together.

As announced last week, my Department will work with the Department of Health and Department of the Taoiseach to prepare proposals on the holding of a limited number of pilot live events for sport and live entertainment, both indoor and outdoor. This is to inform the safe reopening of these activities and events when the public health situation allows.

My Department has been in ongoing discussions with the Department of Health on the safe hosting of events and will be guided by the Department of Health and NPHET in relation to the public health considerations of the proposed pilot events.

It is hoped to begin hosting these events in June and July, depending on the epidemiological situation at the time and subject to the rollout of the vaccination programme. All options for the safe roll out of these events are currently being considered.

My Department is undertaking a review of live test events which have taken place internationally in order to prepare for the running of our own pilot live events. This research will be essential in safe execution and planning of these pilots.

In the meantime, my Department will work with cultural and sporting bodies and make practical preparations for these test events. Guidelines and plans for the pilot music and sport events are in development. Further details will be announced in due course.