Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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260. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position to be employed by social dancing event organisers under the public health guidelines in respect of booking in advance using computers they may not be familiar with and other pertinent information or clarification that can be provided to this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56008/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The latest guidelines for venues operating for the purpose of live entertainment and nightclubs, published by my Department, are available on the gov.ie website (here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/updated-guidelines-for-nightlife-and-live-entertainment-sector/). Operational guidelines for a range of tourism and hospitality businesses are available on the Fáilte Ireland website (covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/). These guidelines are designed to assist businesses to reopen and operate safely through the ongoing pandemic, in line with relevant Government public health advice and related Regulations.

Social dancing events are permitted in venues operating for the purpose of live entertainment and nightclubs that meet all of the criteria set out in the guidelines and related regulations – including, among other things, the requirement that the event be e-ticketed for contact tracing purposes and that the venue holds the appropriate licences for such an event.

For indoor gatherings and social events in general hospitality venues not covered by these guidelines, however, the key message is that people should remain seated with food and beverage consumed at the table and no intermingling between tables.