Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Since 7 June, indoor sports, swimming pools and leisure centres have been allowed to re-open for individual training purposes and for the provision of swimming classes. Any decision on the further lifting of the restrictions, and its timing, is a matter for Government and not for individual Ministerial decision. The Government has indicated that any such decision will be considered in the context of the prevailing public health situation and vaccination roll-out.

On 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead, with an emphasis on lower risk activities given the risks posed by the Delta variant.

The Government continues to follow its plan to review and monitor the control of the virus and follow the prevailing public health advice in support of a safe and gradual reopening, in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead. Unfortunately this means that indoor activities in groups or classes cannot be permitted at present. Detailed Information and updates may be accessed on the Gov.ie website.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Since 7 June, gyms, indoor sports, dance, swimming pools and leisure centres have been allowed to re-open for individual training purposes and for the provision of swimming classes. Any decision on the further lifting of the restrictions to include classes, and its timing, is a matter for Government and not for individual Ministerial decision. The Government has indicated that any such decision will be considered in the context of the prevailing public health situation and vaccination roll-out.

On 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead, with an emphasis on lower risk activities given the risks posed by the Delta variant.

The Government continues to follow its plan to review and monitor the control of the virus and follow the prevailing public health advice in support of a safe and gradual reopening, in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead. Unfortunately this means that indoor activities in groups or classes cannot be permitted at present. Detailed Information and updates may be accessed on the Gov.ie website.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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From 5 July the numbers permitted at outdoor organised events have increased to a maximum of 200 for the majority of venues, with a maximum of 500 for outdoor stadia/venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000. In addition to that, my Department has been working since October 2020 with a combined working group of the FAI, the IRFU and the GAA and Sport Ireland. The working group's guidelines, prepared with the assistance of health and safety experts, are designed for use by event organisers and have been published. The guidelines describe how spectators can safely be accommodated at sporting events.

The pilot events use measures to mitigate against Covid-19 including reduced attendances, careful communication with spectators, physical distancing, mask-wearing, the careful management of entrance and departure of spectators and hand sanitising. Spectators are required to agree to a code of conduct for the event and advised not to attend if they are feeling the symptoms of Covid-19. Full refunds are available to spectators should they need to stay away from the event for health reasons. Sporting bodies apply the guidelines to each event. The specific circumstances and unique character of each venue are taken into account when considering attendances for events.

Pilot events are necessary as a proof of concept for the safe management of events in line with the guidelines whilst Covid-19 is still circulating in our communities. They assess and build confidence in the Covid-19 guidance and event management protocols developed by sectors. The pilot events have allowed sports bodies and stadiums to put in place the necessary safety measures and have allowed for the safe return of spectators. Pilot events are being held not just in Dublin but throughout the country. For example, in the period to today's date, events will have been held in Sligo, Mayo, Limerick, Cork, Tipperary and Dublin. Athletics, cricket, association football, gaelic football, camogie, hurling and rugby are some of the examples of the sports involved.

Pilots are reviewed by the working group in the week following the hosting of the pilot events and results are shared. The guidelines will be updated at the end of the pilot events if need be to reflect any lessons learned.

In regard to the broader return of spectators, the Government will take into account learnings in regard to the pilot events and will make its decision based on the evolving public health situation including vaccination levels, the prevalence of the virus and the associated hospitalisations and deaths.