Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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1746. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children permitted at wedding receptions; if he will consider exempting them from numbers in this and future phases of the roadmap for reopening the economy and society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34437/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy 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.

However, as an exception, weddings already planned have been allowed to proceed with the planned increase in the number of guests to 50 at the wedding ceremony and reception with protective measures from 5 July. 50 guests, including children, are permitted to attend. The Fáilte Ireland guidelines on weddings can be found online: covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/

Significant 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.