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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020

Tuesday, 15 December 2020

Questions (231)

Neale Richmond

Question:

231. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to allow for sport to resume among children both in and outside of school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42924/20]

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Written answers

I would like to clarify for the Deputy at the outset that the prevailing restrictions in Level 3 are as determined by the Government in accordance with The Framework for Restrictive Measures, which is a risk management strategy that is designed to allow individuals, families, businesses and services better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures Government might introduce to stop escalation of the transmission of COVID-19. The Government’s strategy, in line with the public health advice, is disease suppression. Under the Government's Framework for Restrictive Measures, children’s sport has continued since the publication of the Recovery and Resilience Plan in September, subject to certain restrictions on activities indoors and outdoors.

Under Level 3 effective from 1 December the following measures apply to Children’s sport:

- Outdoors: Non-contact training only in pods of up to 15.

- Indoors: Individual sports training only. This should be conducted in line with the guidance developed for indoor sport. No exercise or dance classes should take place.

In relation to whether sport takes place inside or outside the school setting, a clear distinction has to be made between sport, especially sport in the community, and PE lessons in schools. PE lessons involve a range of activities of which team and individual sports are just one component part. The guidance to schools published by the Department of Education advises that PE lessons should be timetabled as normal where possible during the Covid-19 pandemic, although modifications may have to be made to the range of activities undertaken.

While activities up to Grade 3 of the HPSC COVID-19 Interim recommendations for the return to sports activities for children and adolescents (https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/sportandrecreation/)

may be possible depending on public health guidelines in effect at any particular time, individual activities and outdoor activities should be prioritised in PE lessons as these present less risk.

Detailed guidance has issued to post-primary schools with regard to how practical subjects, including PE, can continue during the Covid-19 pandemic and schools should consult this document, particularly with regard to the list of activities that present a relatively low to moderate risk in PE lessons: (https://assets.gov.ie/85594/17fe45af-dc43-470d-90b5-3d6d2f82d66e.pdf)

The Government recognises the importance of a broader resumption of sport for both children and adults. In that context, my Department and Sport Ireland are engaging with the various sporting bodies to inform a review of the measures currently in place for sporting activity, which will be considered by Government early in the New Year. The issue of resuming competitions and leagues, which have a particular appeal for children, will form part of the review.

Question Nos. 232 and 233 answered with Question No. 228.
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