Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
315. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if extensions will be granted to licences for community facilities that run bingo and social dancing in view of the fact that they have not been used for a number of months due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11958/20]
View answerThe statutory provisions concerning the licensing of premises for the purposes of public dancing are set out in the Public Dance Halls Act 1935 as well as sections 2 to 10 and 21 of the Licensing (Combating Drug Abuse) Act 1997 in so far as they relate to public dancing licenses. The primary purpose of these statutory provisions is to ensure the welfare and safety of persons while present at events on the premises.
Applications for renewal of existing licences are made to the annual licensing district court. Compliance with relevant fire safety standards and availability of appropriate public liability insurance are essential requirements. The court may take account of the suitability of the premises and the impact for the parking of vehicles in the neighbourhood of the premises. Where, for whatever reason, an application for renewal of a public dancing licence is not dealt with, the existing licence will continue in force until the application is finally dealt with at a subsequent sitting of the district court.
