Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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293. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if indoor games such as darts, pool, snooker and so on are now permitted in an indoor hospitality setting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53958/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Indoor sporting event spectator capacity is now 100% for adults with a COVID-19 certificate and separate provisions apply for accompanied and unaccompanied minors. It is of course essential that all such events adhere to best practice in relation to infection prevention control procedures and practices. However, any events, sporting or otherwise, that are held on licensed premises are subject to the applicable requirements and guidance for live entertainment and indoor hospitality.

COVID-19-related sectoral guidelines for a range of tourism and hospitality businesses are published on the Fáilte Ireland website. These guidelines assist such businesses to operate as safely as possible through the ongoing pandemic and their development has been overseen collaboratively by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment given how the hospitality sector has both tourism and enterprise aspects.

With specific regard to those guidelines covering the types of tourism and hospitality businesses (e.g. pubs) that might provide access for customers to indoor games such as darts, pool and snooker, the relevant guidelines require that customers remain seated at their table except when using the toilet, paying, arriving and departing, or ordering food or drink from a bar counter that can meet the requirements to provide for an appropriate, physically distanced queuing system. Accordingly the playing of darts, pool or snooker, as games that are played while standing, is not permitted in an indoor hospitality setting under these guidelines.

I acknowledge that the ongoing public health restrictions continue to be challenging for tourism and hospitality businesses. However in the ongoing pandemic – and particularly in light of the current epidemiological situation – the Government’s aim is to allow as many businesses as possible reopen and continue operating in the safest possible way. Accordingly it is important that we continue to adhere to COVID-19-related guidelines and public health advice in order to minimise opportunities for the transmission of the virus.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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294. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if darts is permitted to return as an indoor sport during current Government guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54387/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Indoor sports such as dartsare permitted in line with current Government guidelines It is of course essential that all such events adhere to best practice in relation to infection prevention control procedures and practices.

Sport Ireland has published a guidance note on the recent changes relating to the return to sport and physical activity, which is available at www.sportireland.ie/covid19/return-to-sport-and-physical-activity.

Any events, sporting or otherwise, that are held on licensed premises are subject to the applicable requirements and guidance for live entertainment and indoor hospitality.

The guidance for indoor hospitality is available on the Fáilte Ireland website at www.covid19.failteireland.ie/guidance-indoor-hospitality/ and is predicted on all patrons remaining seated except in specifically prescribed situations such as entering and leaving the premises and queueing at a bar counter for service. The guidance for Nightlife and Live Entertainment, which does allow for standing patrons, is at www.gov.ie/en/publications/updated-guidelines-for-nightlife-and-live-entertainment-sector/

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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295. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if clarification will be provided in relation to the recent Sport Ireland guidelines that exclude persons under 18 years of age who are unvaccinated against Covid-19 from participating in basketball training and or games; her views on these guidelines given that the Covid-19 vaccine is not available to those under 12 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53957/21]

Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent)
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299. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason persons under 18 years of age are unable to play basketball if they are unvaccinated. [53993/21]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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300. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to sports clubs or organisations which are excluding children from certain activities or restricting their participation on the basis of their vaccination status or that of their parents; and if this is in line with her Department’s policy for children’s participation in sport. [54016/21]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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302. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason only persons with a valid Covid-19 vaccination certificate are allowed to take part in any basketball competitions and games; the reason she has allowed children to miss out on their preferred sport due to a discriminatory policy in relation to the vaccine status of a child; if she will issue a clarification on the issue and ensure that all children are treated the same regardless of their vaccine status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54111/21]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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306. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position relating to the requirement for Covid-19 vaccination passports for participation in underage team sports; if he will direct all national sporting organisations to ensure that no child is discriminated against and prevented from participating in their chosen sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54189/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 295, 299, 300, 302 and 306 together.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that Government agreed last week to widen the range of sporting opportunities for young people which enables under 18 indoor sports games and competitions in sports such as basketball to go ahead. On foot of this, updated guidance has been provided by Sport Ireland to sporting organisations to allow children under 18 years of age to participate in indoor games and competition activities according to the ordinary rules and limits of the sport concerned. The full guidance can be accessed on the Sport Ireland website at:

www.sportireland.ie/covid19/return-to-sport-and-physical-activity