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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Questions (492, 514, 517, 523, 525, 537, 544, 547, 548, 556)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

492. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if music schools will be able to operate under the level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32569/20]

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Neale Richmond

Question:

514. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration has been given to allowing individual music lessons outside of school to be held in person for levels 3 and 4; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33430/20]

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Gerald Nash

Question:

517. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if clarity will be provided relating to the stated concerns (details supplied) of private and community music and drama schools; his views on their request to parity relating to the Plan for Living with Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33634/20]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

523. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if individual dance classes can proceed under level 5. [32532/20]

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Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

525. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the guidelines for teaching of music within a group and individual setting respectively under level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32568/20]

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Mattie McGrath

Question:

537. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if extracurricular music education classes are allowed to continue during level 5 restrictions; if she will provide details on the guidelines relating to musical education under level 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33190/20]

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Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

544. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of community music and drama schools under level 5 of the Plan for Living with Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33238/20]

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Michael Ring

Question:

547. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reasoning behind commercial music and drama teachers being prevented from teaching even on a one to one basis during level 5 restrictions when a person that is funded by the local authority can teach groups of up to six; if her attention has been drawn to the discrimination this creates against the commercial and private operators as compared to the publicly funded sector; if she will address the anomaly that exists in the guidelines that have issued for the performing arts education sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33339/20]

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Michael Ring

Question:

548. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason students cannot be taught under level 5 restrictions even though the schools are open in relation to the commercial and private teachers that teach students preparing for the music practical component of the junior cycle, music and leaving certificate music examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33340/20]

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Michael Creed

Question:

556. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding level 5 Covid-19 restrictions and music education in particular the requirement for music instruction to follow the guidelines for youth work; her views on the communication from her Department that such music instruction cannot resume under levels 3 or 4 lockdown; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that much of this instruction is conducted on a one-to-one basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33878/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 492, 514, 517, 523, 525, 537, 544, 547, 548 and 556 together.

The Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September, 2020. Until 1 December, Ireland is at Level 5 of the Plan. Under this level the public health risk means that we are all being asked to stay at home, with certain exceptions. Information on the public health measures in currently in place in relation to the different Levels can be found at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/

The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.8) Regulations 2020, which give effect to the level 5 restrictions under the Plan, provide the list of essential retail and essential services which may operate under level 5 restrictions. This list does not include private or commercial music, drama or dance classes.

Education is, however, considered an essential service under the regulations. Under Part 2 of the schedule to the regulations, essential education encompasses primary and post-primary schools, and higher and further education where remote learning is not possible. Where a service provider considers that they fall into the essential education category e.g. as part of the national curriculum or as part of a specific, state-sponsored course of study, they should refer to the Department of Education’s guidance in relation to the operation of education services under Level 5 restrictions.

https://www.education.ie/en/covid-19/

Separately, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has published guidance to support the funded youth work sector. Where a service provider meets the definition of youth work, as defined under Section 3 of the Youth Work Act 2001 and is part of the state funded youth work sector, they should refer to that Department’s guidance.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/58393-guidance-for-youth-organisations-on-resuming-full-services-after-covid-19/

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