Written answers

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Photo of James O'ConnorJames O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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1427. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the closure of indoor camps despite many camps running under guidelines issued for education in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39577/21]

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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2606. To ask the Minister for Health if he can provide exact clarity in relation to the running of summer camps for children, both indoors and outdoors and summer classes for children, both indoors and outdoors (details supplied); if they are allowed to be run; the State body providing advice on this for parents and guardians and those running the classes and camps; the State body assigned to monitor compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38355/21]

Photo of Cormac DevlinCormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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2760. To ask the Minister for Health the status of indoor summer camps and indoor summer activities; if they can take place or not under Covid-19 regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39031/21]

Photo of Seán CanneySeán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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2779. To ask the Minister for Health if summer camps can resume in summer 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39110/21]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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2823. To ask the Minister for Health when children’s summer camps can reopen; if they are permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39294/21]

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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3026. To ask the Minister for Health the plans in place for the summer months to facilitate the provision of summer camps for children both indoors and outdoors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40014/21]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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3091. To ask the Minister for Health when operators in the summer camp sector will be permitted to run their businesses again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40239/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1427, 2606, 2760, 2779, 2823, 3026 and 3091 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, on 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead.

While significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme, the rapidly increasing prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant, and the significant risk this poses, in particular to those who are not yet fully vaccinated, meant that a number of higher risk indoor activities did not recommence as planned on 5 July, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity status.

Disease incidence has increased rapidly in recent weeks, especially among those who are not yet fully protected through vaccination and the outlook for the coming weeks is very uncertain.

Summer camps should adhere to public health measures on organised indoor and outdoor activities as appropriate, applying at the time. At present, that means that outdoor camps can go ahead, but indoor camps are not permitted as they would involve significant indoor social mixing of households. Details of public health measures can be found online: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/7894b-post-cabinet-statement-resilience-and-recovery-the-path-ahead/

As the Deputies will appreciate, there is no Government Department with specific responsibility for summer camps. However, guidance is provided by a range of Government Departments for relevant activities that come within their remit e.g. guidance for sports activities and activity providers, which would also be applicable to summer camps.

Significant and sustained progress has been made on suppressing the virus over recent months due to the huge effort of people across the country. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. To protect the gains of recent months we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours and to follow public health guidelines.

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