Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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528. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when indoor sports such as squash will be permitted; if the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2021 will enable vaccinated persons to play indoor sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40074/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Since 7 June 2021, 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.

While there are no immediate plans to include indoor sport within the scope of the arrangements in place for the indoor hospitality sector under the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2021, I am mindful of the potential for these arrangements to provide a roadmap for the re-opening of other sectors and will continue to engage with Government colleagues on the safe re-opening of all aspects of indoor and outdoor sports activities.