Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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2902. To ask the Minister for Health when he expects water parks, family entertainment centres and gaming arcades to be permitted to reopen under the current Covid-19 restrictions.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39560/21]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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3045. To ask the Minister for Health when he plans to allow for the reopening of certain businesses (details supplied) in a safe manner and in compliance with expert public health advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40095/21]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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3046. To ask the Minister for Health if he is giving consideration to the potential for the reopening of indoor water parks; if he will provide guidance on the timeline involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40096/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2902, 3045 and 3046 together.

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.

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.

I can confirm to the Deputies that swimming pools reopened for individual training on 7 June.

Unfortunately, due to current uncertainties with regard to the Delta variant there is not yet an indication of when indoor family entertainment centres and gaming arcades will reopen. The epidemiological situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis and the level of restrictions will be kept under review by Government.

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.