Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
232. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will engage with organisations (details supplied) to allow them to operate under levels 3 and 4 Covid-19 restrictions provided they follow all the relevant HSE guidelines, practise social distancing in classes and employ a pod system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41257/20]
View answer248. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on a matter (details supplied). [41710/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 248 together.
I am very aware of the significant impact the COVID-19 crisis has and continues to have on the sectors that my Department supports. The Framework for Restrictive Measures is a risk management strategy designed to allow individuals, families, businesses and services to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures Government might introduce if there is an escalation of the transmission of Covid-19.
From 1st December, the country has moved to Level 3 of the Government’s Plan for Living with Covid-19. Under these restrictions, indoor dance and exercise classes remain suspended. Individual training, including one-to-one instruction is however allowed at Level 3 and this applies to sport, dance and exercise.
Individual training can be defined as individual, physically distanced, non-contact activity, completed in a pre-defined area, within a controlled environment and without the sharing of equipment. While dance studios are closed at Level 3, they can provide facilities for use in individual dance practice or dance training.
While these measures mean that individual activities can take place, individual training and one-to-one instruction should not be viewed as a way of reintroducing organised dance classes which are specifically precluded under the current public health measures.
While there is understandable frustration by many sectors about the current restrictions, the focus in the run-up to Christmas, is on allowing many activities to proceed as possible, while at the same time being mindful of the priority of safeguarding public health.
The Arts Council is in the process of preparing guidance on individual dance practice/training which will be available early next week. In the meantime, the Sport Ireland guidance for individual training may be used (https://www.sportireland.ie/covid19/individual-and-indoor-training).
The measures which should be considered to reduce risk, under the Sport Ireland Guidance include:
- Staggered start and finish times combined with appropriate entry, exit and traffic management protocols to limit the interaction of participants at any one time.
- Prebooking of activity is essential.
- Reduction in the overall duration of the activity.
- Participants arrive ready to train and leave immediately (no changing room or shower use).
- Additional signage, hand sanitisation stations and deep cleaning implemented. No equipment sharing in any circumstances.
- Activity should take place in a predefined area which is visually marked out and directionally signed.
- The space required in this area should reflect the nature and intensity of the activity
- There should be in excess of 2m social distancing between each of the predefined areas.
- The cleaning and ventilation of facilities should be conducted in accordance with the Governments most recent Work Safely Protocol .
Additional measures to reduce for one-to-one instruction from Sport Ireland Guidance include the following:
- Any demonstration of equipment or technique should ensure that a minimum of 2m social distancing is maintained.
- Individual equipment should not be shared.
- In the case of fixed equipment, cleaning of such equipment must be completed immediately after demonstration and before the individual participant uses.
- There should be no hands-on adjustments or physical contact during training sessions.
- Instructors should refer to the HSE guidance on wearing of face coverings.
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.9) Regulations 2020, which gives effect to the current modified Level 3 provisions, provides that individuals may attend a primary school or a secondary school for educational reasons. Individuals may also attend a university, higher education institution or other education and training facility in person if it is necessary for such educational reasons.
Some performing arts activities may take place within the context of the national curriculum or as part of a specific course of Education, for example, choir and music activities for music class. For activities under the curriculum or as part of a specific course of Education, the Department of Education’s Roadmap for the Reopening of Schools and associated guidance should be applied.
It should be noted that these arrangements do not include classes which:
- do not take place on school premises or in a recognised state-sponsored education setting, other than where the activity is part of the curriculum and must take place at another location e.g. a community centre or swimming pool;
- are extra-curricular classes i.e. those which an individual is pursuing outside of the school day for their own personal development;
- are courses of additional study outside of the school day but which relate to the curriculum e.g. grinds.
