Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021
125. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the trial events that will be taking place in the north-west of the country for the reopening post-Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33217/21]
View answerOn Friday May 28th the Government agreed pilot events will take place in June and July, depending on the epidemiological situation at the time and subject to the roll out of the vaccination programme.
My Department has worked with the Arts Council and a number of stakeholder engagement structures in place to support the development and delivery of those pilot events. The first event took place in the Iveagh Gardens on the 10th of June in collaboration with the National Concert Hall and further events will take place across the course of the summer.
These events will assist in safely charting a path back to greater levels of activity in line with developments in public health guidance over the coming weeks and months. Pilot events are necessary as a proof of concept for the safe management of events whilst COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities and in order to evaluate and build confidence in the COVID-19 guidance and event management protocols developed by the culture and sports sectors.
Events are planned across the country including in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Thurles, Kilkenny and Killarney. The learnings from these events will inform guidance which will have application nationwide.
