Written answers

Tuesday, 12 October 2021

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Covid-19 Pandemic

Photo of Verona MurphyVerona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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149. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when restrictions on the use of sports grounds changing facilities will be reviewed to allow for whole teams to collectively use changing rooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49387/21]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the Government's plan, "COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting", a significant easing of the restrictions applicable to sport and organised activity occurred from the 20th of September. From this date, changing facilities can reopen with protective measures in place to mitigate risk in these settings, which may include collective or partial usage by whole teams if the facilities concerned enable the achievement of that desired outcome for the numbers involved. In this context, it is emphasised that the public health management of COVID-19 in Ireland is transitioning, in broad terms, from a focus on regulation and population wide restrictions to a focus on public health advice, personal judgement and personal protective behaviours.

In order to assist the sports sector in this transition stage, Sport Ireland has issued guidance that outlines a range of important considerations and factors that should guide the usage of facilities such as changing rooms. This guidance can be found at the link below:

It is also indicated in the Government's plan that, subject to the stated vaccination criteria being met and having regard to the incidence and behaviour of the disease at the time, the Government will remove further statutory restrictions in respect of events and activities from the 22nd of October. The statutory regime in place to support the protection of public health will be wound down in line with the indicated removal of restrictions from that date.

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