Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

Questions (174)

Seán Canney

Question:

174. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the current difficulties being faced by sporting businesses and clubs that are not affiliated to a governing body such as independent carting clubs which are excluded from operating as the current definition of a sporting event under the current Covid-19 legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34357/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

In line with the Government-approved “Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19” organised outdoor gatherings are limited to 15 participants, with different restrictions applying to organised sporting events. Sporting events are defined in the relevant public health regulations, S.I. No. 217/2021 - Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, as amended. Per section 2 of the regulations, the exemption from restrictions on sporting events only applies to those being held under the auspices of a National Governing Body recognised and supported by Sport Ireland, or a school, university or higher education institution.

Our recognised NGBs have done excellent work to develop and implement protocols for the safe return to training and competition, with guidance from Sport Ireland and the Expert Group on Return to Sport established by my Department. The detailed and comprehensive protocols applied for sports training and competition are aligned with international best practice, and informed by experience. It is regrettable that at this time, it is not possible to permit a broader return to mass events, but the current restrictions are clear that matches and competitive sporting events are not permitted except for those governed and overseen by recognised NGBs.

As the summer goes on and the vaccination rollout continues it is anticipated that the restrictions we must operate under will lessen, and I expect that a larger number and range of events will be possible in due course.