Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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221. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is an application process or established criteria to be considered following the recent announcement in relation to considering proposals on the holding of a limited number of pilot live events for arts, culture, sport and live entertainment indoor and outdoor; if so, the person or body to which expressions of interest should be submitted to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27667/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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On the 29th of April the Government agreed that 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.

We would hope to begin hosting these events in June, 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 being considered. I am cautiously optimistic that once test events can be undertaken and lessons drawn from those that we can grow spectator attendances later in the Summer.

In the meantime my Department is working with the sporting National Governing Bodies, the Arts Council and other cultural bodies to identify venues which are ready to stage Covid compliant events next month and where Work Safely Protocols and Covid Guidance is already in place. Further details will be announced in due course.