Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2021
119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the degree to which she continues to engage with the various sporting authorities with a view to maximising sporting activity while maintaining best practice to contain the Covid-19 virus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3520/21]
View answer121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which her Department can encourage various sporting activities to take place during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, with particular reference to the need of those involved in all sports throughout Ireland while at the same time minimising physical contact and adhering to hygiene rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3522/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 121 together.
The gravity of the current epidemiological situation is such that it does not permit Government consideration at this time of permitting the range of sporting activity that ordinarily takes place and which provides considerable physical and mental health benefits. The Government's clear message at the present time is for people to stay in their homes, unless necessary for those essential reasons set out in the public health regulations. Sporting activity is not considered essential in this context.
The Government to keen to facilitate the maximum possible level of sporting activity at the earliest possible date once the public health circumstances have improved to the extent required.
In preparation for the resumption of sporting activity, my Department and Sport Ireland continues to engage with the various sporting bodies to inform a review of the broader COVID-19 measures for sporting activity, which will be considered by Government at the appropriate time. I can assure the Deputy that the Government wishes to ensure that sport can continue to play the maximum possible role in sustaining people’s physical and mental wellbeing and consequently their general morale.
In December 2020, I wrote to all National Governing Bodies of sport seeking submissions on what key modifications, in particular to Level 3 of the Government Framework, can be safely introduced to bring the most benefit to sport. Additional correspondence and templates to gather information was also provided by Sport Ireland. The sector has welcomed this engagement and to date a total of 42 submissions have been received from sporting bodies. Review and analysis of these submissions is currently underway.
