Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
1013. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if the situation regarding the closure of construction sites to stop the spread of Covid-19 will be clarified; the reason social housing and public infrastructure sites are being kept open (details supplied); and his views on whether all building sites should be closed to limit the transmission of the virus. [1380/21]
View answerAs you aware, Ireland is at level 5 of the Government's medium-term Strategy Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. This 5-level framework sets out what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services, at that moment in time.
The public health measures recognise the need to reduce congregation and interactions between people to reduce the transmission of Covid-19. The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the plan is based on a review of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
Information in relation to the current public health measures for essential services and construction at level 5 is available at:
- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/ and:
- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#construction
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (NO. 10) Regulations 2020 Regulation (S.I. 701 of 2020), sets out the relevant businesses or services under the current public health measures, which are deemed essential.
SI No. 4 of 2021 also provides information on what are essential construction and developments.
Statutory Instruments related to the Covid-19 pandemic are available here:- https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/
You may wish to note that my Department does not have sectorial responsibility for construction which is a matter for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
