Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she continues to have contact with the various sporting organisations with a view to enabling them continue while adapting protection against Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37662/20]
View answerMinister Martin and I have ongoing engagement with stakeholders in the sports sector, as do the officials in my Department. The engagement has taken many forms from virtual one to one meetings with National Governing Bodies of sport to larger group meetings, also conducted virtually. There are two main groups which engage with the sector, they are the “Expert Group on Return to Sport” and the “Covid-19 Sport Monitoring Group".
To facilitate the safe return of sporting activity, an Expert Group was established to provide advice and guidance to sporting bodies and to review protocols to ensure they are in compliance with public health advice. The Expert Group has had 24 meetings (up to and including Thursday 12 November) and has approved over 55 protocols from sporting bodies and other relevant organisations. In addition, the Expert Group has developed extensive guidance for the sport sector on assessing and mitigating the risk of infection at sports training and competitive events. I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all members of the Group for their efforts which have facilitated a safe return to sport for children and adults.
The other main group which interacts with the sports sector is the Covid-19 Sports Monitoring Group. This group has met 8 times, most recently on Friday 6 November. I chair this group which comprises Department Officials, Sport Ireland and a broad range of stakeholders in sport such as National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships as well as other partners including the Federation of Irish Sport, the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Paralympics Ireland and Ireland Active. The group serves as a forum for the stakeholders to engage directly with the Minister on issues of concern for their members, such as the impacts of public health regulations, the challenges facing sports clubs and the economic impact of the pandemic on Ireland’s sport and leisure sector.
Recognising that the challenges of COVID-19 will continue into 2021, I can assure the Deputy that Minister Martin and I will continue our engagement with and support the sporting bodies.
