Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
352. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration will be given to allowing Irish dancing classes resume subject to the appropriate health and safety restrictions when level 5 restrictions cease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34766/20]
View answer363. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 492, 514, 517, 523, 525, 537, 544, 547, 548 and 556 of 3 November 2020, if the situation regarding music education under level 3 and 4 lockdowns will be clarified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35322/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 363 together.
The Government's Strategy ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’ sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outline the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus.
Each level contains a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering risk of transmission in alignment with the risk level at that time. The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe. Instead, they are “baskets” of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease and recognise we can and must prioritise some activities over others. There are naturally difficult choices to be made in which activities to permit.
Under Levels 3, 4 and 5 indoor training that includes dance is only permitted on an individual basis, therefore exercise and dance classes cannot take place.
Under Level 2, indoor dance classes, training and exercise can take place in pods of up to 6 people.
Under Level 1 of the Framework, there is no specific capacity limit, with capacity guided by what can be accommodated safely in the venue while ensuring all protective measures are in place, including social distancing.
The Plan is clear that sectoral guidance also applies and in the case of dance guidance from Sport Ireland should also be considered: https://www.sportireland.ie/covid19/sport-faqs 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 and one to one music tuition should take place online 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, provides a 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 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/
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) continues to keep the epidemiological situation at a national, regional and local level under close review and it continues to consider all options available in relation to the advice it provides to Government.
