Skip to main content
Normal View

Tuesday, 27 Jul 2021

Written Answers Nos. 555-575

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (561, 562)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

561. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she had made or will make representations to the Minister for Social Protection to alert the Department to the potential damage that the recategorisation of pandemic unemployment payment recipients in the music and entertainment sectors as jobseeker's payments and the cutting of their supports will have on the sector; if she was consulted on the proposed cuts and changes; and the measures she plans to take to mitigate this damage. [40716/21]

View answer

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

562. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the potential for workers in the music and entertainment sector who receive a few days' work through the live performance support scheme being expected or required to give up their only guaranteed stable support of the pandemic unemployment payment, if the funds they receive through the live performance support scheme results in them earning more than the allowed €960 over an eight week period was factored into the design of the live performance support scheme; if she has raised this with the Minister for Social Protection; and the measures she plans to take to stop workers in the sector from being discouraged from taking up opportunities under the live performance support scheme as a result. [40718/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 562 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection. The PUP is a horizontal support and as such cannot be amended on a sectoral basis. The PUP is now closed for new applications and, as part of the Government's National Economic Recovery Plan, the payment will continue for those already in receipt of PUP. From September there will be changes to the rate of payments as the Minister for Social Welfare has recently announced.

I am however, aware anecdotally that some grant recipients of the LPSS have indicated they are finding it challenging to secure staff for events they are planning. However, the vast majority of recipients are currently planning their events and my Department has received many requests for pre-funding from successful applicants who will be delivering events in the coming weeks. It should be noted that grantees have until the end of September to hold the events.

The PUP is flexible in that recipients can earn up to €960 in an eight week period and still retain their benefits.

Question No. 562 answered with Question No. 561.

National Orchestras

Questions (563)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

563. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the heads of the proposed Bill to transfer ownership of the National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall have been agreed; when these will be published; and the timeframe in which the Bill is expected to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny and be brought forward to the Houses of the Oireachtas. [40722/21]

View answer

Written answers

Following the publication of the report by RTÉ that it commissioned from independent consultants Helen Boaden and Mediatique on the RTÉ Orchestras entitled RTÉ Orchestras Ensuring a Sustainable Future, the Government agreed in principle that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (RTÉ NSO) should come within the remit of the National Concert Hall (NCH).

Work is continuing in my Department on the preparation of the heads of a proposed Bill to amend the National Concert Hall Act, 2015 to provide for the transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall. I expect to bring this matter to Government in September, after which pre-legislative scrutiny can take place.

My intention is that the transfer of the NSO to the NCH will be completed this year.

Departmental Communications

Questions (564)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

564. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a ministerial brief was produced to provide a high-level introduction to her Department and a selection of the issues that can be expected to require ministerial attention, providing information on an overview of the Department, agencies under the Department, issues and engagements, departmental priorities, sectoral issues and priorities and the structure, key roles and responsibilities of individuals in management within her Department, as was produced for other Departments following the formation of the Government in 2020; and if so, when such a brief will be published. [40723/21]

View answer

Written answers

The briefing material referred to by the Deputy was published in August 2020 and is available on the Gov.ie website at this link.

Coimisiún Logainmneacha

Questions (565)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

565. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén dáta a rinneadh an barántas faoinar bunaíodh an Coimisiún Logainmneacha a chúlghairm, an soláthróidh sí cóip den ordú cúlghairme seo, agus an bhfoilseoidh sí an t-ordú seo don phobal. [40724/21]

View answer

Written answers

Mar thoradh ar chinneadh an Rialtais i 2011, socraíodh mar chuid de Phlean an Rialtais um Athchóiriú na Seirbhíse Poiblí go mbunófaí coiste saineolaithe, a bheadh ag feidhmiú ar bonn pro bono, in áit an Choimisiúin Logainmneacha. Bunaíodh an Choiste, agus é mar phríomhdhualgas aige comhairle a chur ar an Aire maidir le logainmneacha na hÉireann mar a shainítear iad sin in alt 31 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Ceapadh Coiste nua Logainmneacha ar 11 Eanáir 2020.

Déantar tagairt fós don Choimisiúin Logainmeacha in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Is gá leasú a dhéanamh ar an Acht úd, le Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), chun a chumasú don Aire Orduithe Logainmneacha a dhéanamh. Tá leasú ceadaithe chuige sin anois ag an Rialtas, faoi mar a fógraíodh ar 8 Iúil 2021.

Anuas air sin, i measc na leasuithe atá le cur i láthair ag Céim na Tuarascála den Bhille, tá foráil, chun amhras a sheachaint, go cuirfear deireadh leis an gCoimisiún Logainmneacha, mar a fhoráiltear sa Phlean um Athchóiriú na Seirbhíse Poiblí 2011.

Caiteachas Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Questions (566, 567)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

566. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé mhéad a caitheadh ar dheontais do choláistí cónaithe agus do bhrúnna a bhaineann le coláistí samhraidh Gaeltachta gach bliain le cúig bliana anuas, agus go ndéanfaidh sí idirdhealú idir an maoiniú seo agus an maoiniú a cuireadh ar fáil do mhná agus d’fhir tí faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge sa tréimhse chéanna. [40725/21]

View answer

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

567. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén fo-theideal sna meastacháin faoina dtagann an maoiniú a cuireadh ar fáil le haghaidh scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta do dhaltaí i scoileanna DEIS, faoina dtagann an maoiniú a cuireadh ar fáil le haghaidh Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, faoina dtagann deontais a cuireadh ar fáil do mhná agus d’fhir tí, agus faoina dtagann deontais a cuireadh ar fáil do choláistí cónaithe agus do bhrúnna. [40726/21]

View answer

Written answers

Tá Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge (SFG) á riar ag mo Roinn ar mhaithe le tacú leis na deiseanna sealbhaithe agus saibhrithe teanga sna réigiúin Ghaeltachta do scoláirí dara leibhéal agus do mhic léinn tríú leibhéal ó áiteanna ar fud na tíre. Tagann an scéim le cuspóirí an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge mar atá leagtha amach sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010–2030 agus is í an príombhealach a dtacaíonn an Roinn le hearnáil na gColáistí Gaeilge.

Faoin scéim seo, íoctar fóirdheontas laethúil le teaghlaigh Gaeltachta incháilithe a chuireann lóistín ar fáil dóibh siúd a fhreastalaíonn ar cheann de na coláistí samhraidh Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht a bhfuil aitheantas acu faoin scéim.

Is fiú €10 in aghaidh an lae (ionann le €220 in aghaidh an scoláire i leith cúrsa trí seachtaine) an fóirdheontas seo, a mbaineann breis agus 26,000 scoláire leas as in aghaidh na bliana fad is atá siad ag fanacht in aon cheann den c. 700 teaghlach fud fad na Gaeltachta atá aitheanta faoin scéim.

Is ionann seo agus infheistíocht stáit ar fiú breis agus €4m é san earnáil go bliantúil agus déantar é a mhaoiniú as soláthar reatha (mír C3) mar chuid den Chlár Tacaíochta Pobail agus Teanga.

Íoctar deontas laghduithe (€5 in aghaidh an lae) ón bhfómhír chéanna má tá lóistín curtha ar fáil i mbrú nó coláiste cónaithe. Baineann thart ar 5% de chaiteachas na scéime gach bliain le lóistín i mbrúnna agus coláistí cónaithe.

Mar chuid de Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge (fómhír C3), cuireadh tús leis an tionscnamh DEIS Gaeltachta in 2019 faoina gcuirtear 50 scoláireacht ar fáil go bliantúil ar fiú c. €850 an ceann ar mhaithe le deiseanna faoi leith a chur ar fáil do lucht freastail iar-bhunscoileanna DEIS na tíre chun freastal a dhéanamh ar choláiste samhraidh sa Ghaeltacht.

Ina theannta seo ar fad cuirtear maoiniú ar fáil ó fhómhír C3 don scátheagraíocht Comhchoiste Náisiúnta na gColáistí Samhraidh, CONCOS, ar mhaithe le cabhrú tuilleadh le hearnáil na gcoláistí samhraidh.

Leagtar amach sa tábla thíos caiteachas na Roinne ar Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge le cúig bliana anuas.

Bliain

Caitheachas SFG

2020

€4,459,456

2019

€4,362,096

2018

€4,134,231

2017

€4,072,253

2016

€4,013,805

Iomlán 2016-2020

€21,041,841

Caiteachas Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Questions (568)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

568. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad é méid an chaiteachais a leithroinneadh chun ionaid pobail Gaeilge agus Cultúrlanna a bhunú agus a reáchtáil sa stát, cé mhéad ionad atá bunaithe agus atá le bunú, cé mhéad Cultúrlann atá bunaithe agus atá le bunú, agus an ndéanfaidh sí miondealú a ar an maoiniú atá tugtha do gach ionad nó Cultúrlann le cúig bliana anuas. [40727/21]

View answer

Written answers

Tugadh gealltanas sonrach i gClár an Rialtais go “ndéanfar forbairt Ionaid Ghaeilge i mBaile Átha Cliath agus ar fud na tíre a chur chun cinn ar mhaithe le cur chuige pobail-bhunaithe i leith chur chun cinn na Gaeilge”.

Dar ndóigh, ní dhearnadh leis an ngealltanas seo ach tógáil ar an méid a gealladh roimhe seo i leith na nIonad Gaeilge faoi Phlean Gníomhaíochta an Rialtais 2018-2022 don Ghaeilge (gníomh 4.12 agus 4.13 go sonrach) agus faoin bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta 2018-2027 (faoi Thionscadal Éireann 2040).

Ar bhonn praiticiúil, déanann mo Roinnse tacaíocht shonrach a thabhairt d’fhorbairt Ionad Gaeilge, lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht, tríd na Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge, le hallúntas de €2 mhilliún ann i mbliana.

Is féidir le coistí/eagraíochtaí pobalbhunaithe, a fheidhmíonn trí Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht, iarratas a dhéanamh faoi Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge na Roinne. Cuirtear maoiniú ar fáil chun cabhrú leis na costais a bhaineann le hionaid Ghaeilge a thógáil/athchóiriú agus chun foirgnimh a cheannach le húsáid mar ionad Gaeilge agus trealamh a cheannach dá leithéid d’ionaid.

Is é an cuspóir atá leis an gcuidiú caipitil a chuirtear ar fáil faoin gciste seo an Ghaeilge a threisiú mar theanga pobail agus teaghlaigh i gcomhréir le cuspóirí Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 agus na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030. Tá tuilleadh eolais faoin scéim seo le fáil ar shuíomh idirlín na Roinne.

Mar a luaigh mé agus an t-ábhar ceanna faoi chaibidil agat cúpla mí ó shin, is iondúil gur ó dháta bunaithe na Roinne nua ar féidir ceisteanna den saghas seo a fhreagairt. Arís, ar mhaithe le heolas iomlánach a chur ar fáil faoin scéim shonrach a bhaineann leis na hIonaid Ghaeilge, feicfidh an Teachta go bhfuil na sonraí a iarradh ó 2018 ar aghaidh curtha ar fáil thíos - i ndáil leis na gealltanais a tugadh ó 2018 ar aghaidh sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 agus sa Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta 2018-2027. Is íocaíochtaí iad seo a rinne an Roinn go díreach leis na heagraíochtaí seo.

Ó thaobh caiteachas de, nil aon athrú mór ó d’fhreagair mé ceist uait ar an ábhar ceanna cúpla mí ó shin.

Ionaid Ghaeilge faoi na Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge (Clár Caipitil): 2018 go dáta

Eagraíocht/Ionad Gaeilge

Méid Íoctha

Conradh na Gaeilge – Forbairt ar Lárionad Gaeilge i mBÁC

2018: €22,000 (Staidéar Féidearthachta) 2019: €42,500

Gaelphobal Thamhlachta (BÁC)

2019: €23,290

Áras Chrónáin (Cluain Dolcáin, BÁC)

2019: €31,825

Áras Mhic Amhlaigh (Cnoc na Cathrach, Gaillimh)

2020: €730,938 2021: €6,628

Anuas ar an méid thuas, tá tograí eile a d’fhéadfaí a aithint mar ‘Ionad Gaeilge’ nach dtagann faoin scéim thuasluaite. Tá sonraí na gceann sin a rinneadh íocaíocht leo ó mhí Mheán Fómhair 2020, go dáta - i gcomhréir le bunú oifigiúil na Roinne nua - le feiceáil sa tábla thíos. Tá siad seo uile lonnaithe laistigh den Ghaeltacht.

Tograí aitheanta eile: Meán Fómhair 2020 go dáta

Eagraíocht/Ionad Gaeilge

Saghas Íocaíochta

Méid Íoctha

Áras Scéal an Atlantaigh Fhiáin (Maigh Eo)

Íoctha tríd Údarás na Gaeltachta faoin gClár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga

2020: €316,000

Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh (Gaillimh)

Íoctha tríd Údarás na Gaeltachta faoin gClár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga

2020: €110,848

Comhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin – Carcair an Leacht (Gaillimh)

Íoctha go díreach faoin gClár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga

2020: €14,325 (Seirbhísí Gairmiúla) 2020: €77,032 2021: €64,456

Áislann Chill Chartha (Dún na nGall)

Íoctha go díreach faoin gClár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga

2020: €2,991

Caiteachas Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Questions (569)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

569. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán miondealú a dhéanamh ar na nithe ar ar caitheadh an maoiniú €16,363 a fógraíodh le haghaidh comhoibriú thuaidh-theas sna meastacháin athbhreithnithe. [40728/21]

View answer

Written answers

Fógraíodh €16.362m i Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe mo Roinne le haghaidh 2021 i leith comhoibriú Thuaidh Theas. Tá an maoiniú seo briste síos mar a leanas:

An Foras Teanga Thuaidh Theas

Foras na Gaeilge

€12,062,225

Sciar 75% ón deisceart

Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise

€732,465

Sciar 25% ón deisceart

Buiséad an Fhoras Teanga faofa ag an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT)

€12,794,690

Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge

€1,061,165

100% ón deisceart

Colmcille

€118,519

50% ón deisceart

Airgead teagmhasach

€787,626

Buiséad táscach an Fhoras Teanga C.9

€14.762m

New Decade, New Approach 2021

€1.6

100% ón deisceart

Mór iomlán C.9 2021

€16.362m

Ba mhaith liom a mheabhrú don Teachta gur buiséad táscach atá anseo sa €14.762m, a chuimsíonn buiséad faofa an Fhoras Teanga Thuaidh Theas (Foras na Gaeilge 75%; Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise 25%), maoiniú imfhálaithe Chlár na Leabhar Gaeilge (100%) agus Colmcille (50%) agus airgead teagmhasach a coinnítear ar leataobh le freastal ar athuithe i rátaí malartaithe airgid agus cnapshuimeanna pinsin de chuid Fhoras na Gaeilge agus Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise. I gcás go mbíonn fuílleach fágtha sa bhfomhír ag deireadh na bliana, dáiltear é ar thionscadail riachtanacha eile de chuid mo Roinne in earnáil na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta.

Is í an Roinn Pobal ó thuaidh, an Roinn urraíochta eile de chuid an Fhoras Teanga, a íocann an céatadán eile de bhuiséad an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas agus scéim Colmcille.

Caiteachas Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Questions (570)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

570. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad é méid an chaiteachais a leithroinneadhle haghaidh líonraí gnó Gaeilge sa stát, agus an ndéanfaidh sí miondealú de réir líonra nó eagraíochta, lena n-áirítear Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Gael-Taca, Gnó Mhaigh Eo, agus Cill Dara le Gaeilge. [40729/21]

View answer

Written answers

Faoi na Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge de chuid mo Roinne, maoinítear réimse eagraíochtaí a thacaíonn le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht lena áiritear Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Gael Taca, Gnó Mhaigh Eo agus Cill Dara le Gaeilge. Tá maoiniú reáchtála a chur ar fáil do na heagraíochtaí seo le blianta fada anois (seachas Cill Dara le Gaeilge a bhfuil tús curtha le maoiniú na Roinne dóibh i mbliana) chun deis a thabhairt don phobal an Gaeilge a labhairt agus iad i mbun gnó agus chun gréasáin de chainteoirí Gaeilge a fhorbairt.

Gnó Gaeilge

Íoctha

2020

Ceadaithe

2021

Ceadaithe 2022

Ceadaithe 2023

Gaillimh le Gaeilge

146,035

157,460

164,460

171,000

Cill Dara le Gaeilge

-

73,046

74,692

73,000

Gnó Mhaigh Eo

139,665

-

-

-

Gael Taca

102,924

-

-

-

Tá iarratais ar mhaoiniú don tréimhse 2021 - 2023 faighte ó Ghnó Mhaigh Eo agus Gael Taca le réimse gníomhaíochtaí a chur chun cinn agus tá plé á dhéanamh idir na eagraíochtaí agus oifigigh mo Roinn maidir leis na hiarratais sin faoi láthair.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (571)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

571. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason for the decision to change to use of the term working age payment in the Pathways to Work 2021-2025 Strategy to describe that which had previously been described as a universal basic income pilot scheme for artists; the way this will affect other welfare payments; if this change means that the proposal plans to revive previous attempts to introduce a single working age payment as was put forward by former Ministers for Social Protection as part of austerity measures to replace other welfare supports and encourage the transition to work as described in the Pathways to Work document; and if the statement in the Pathways to Work Strategy that a person in employment will always receive more than they would if reliant on welfare alone under the proposal means that it is no longer intended for the basic income to involve providing the same unconditional payment regardless of means or income to artists, as had been previously suggested. [40731/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Pathways to Work Strategy and the issue of a Working Age Payment is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.

The Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce report Life Worth Living, was published in November 2020 and made ten recommendations for the sector. The recommendations included a proposal to pilot a basic income scheme for a three-year period in the arts, culture, audiovisual and live performance and events sectors.

As part of the Economic Recovery Plan launched on June 1st, I was delighted to secure agreement from Government for a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for artists. The Government recognises that bold steps are necessary for our invaluable and much treasured arts community to come back stronger than ever before. I continue to support the introduction of a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for artists and have put in place measures to progress this policy.

I have established an Oversight Group with the remit of addressing the outstanding recommendations of the Life Worth Living report. The membership of the Group is drawn from Departments and Agencies which have the ability and wherewithal to make appropriate progress on the outstanding recommendations, including the Basic Income Guarantee pilot.

The Oversight Group is chaired by my Department and joined by representatives of the Departments of Finance, Social Protection, Public Expenditure and Reform as well as Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Directors of the Arts Council and Screen Ireland are also members alongside a representative of the County and City Managers' Association.

I have asked the Oversight Group to prioritise the manner in which a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for artists will be delivered. As the work of the group has only recently begun it is too early to say with any certainty what the details of the pilot scheme will be.

Question No. 572 answered with Question No. 516.
Question No. 573 answered with Question No. 516.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (574)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

574. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to review the eligibility criteria relating to turnover for the events sector Covid support scheme; her views on whether the current eligibility criteria will exclude many small and medium-sized events companies from the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40748/21]

View answer

Written answers

I recently announced details of a new €11.5 million Events Sector Covid Support Scheme (ESCSS). This scheme will target SMEs in the events sector which aren’t eligible for the CRSS and for whom the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme and the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19 will not make a significant contribution to fixed costs relative to the level of support that would be available under CRSS, had such SMEs been eligible for that support. Grants will be paid on a once-off basis to successful applicants as a contribution to the businesses costs, up to a maximum of €50,000.

This scheme will be open to those SMEs who provide services to the events industry including services to provide for the production of all forms of live performance, trade shows, including event promoters, event management, conference organisers, security, supply of sound, lighting and stage equipment. Businesses whether sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities operating within the events sector and who are ineligible for CRSS may apply.

The scheme was developed in consultation with the sector and the eligibility criteria aim to strike an appropriate balance having regard to other available supports and the need to reach as many SMEs who provide services to the events industry as possible.

This scheme will open for applications on 4th August, via an online application portal on my Department’s website. Further information in relation to this scheme can be accessed on my Department’s website here - https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7f483-guidelines-for-the-events-sector-covid-support-scheme/.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (575)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

575. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the expected timeline for the reopening of indoor sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40884/21]

View answer

Written answers

Since 7 June, indoor sports, swimming pools and leisure centres have been allowed to re-open for individual training purposes and for the provision of swimming classes. Any decision on the further lifting of the restrictions, and its timing, is a matter for Government and not for individual Ministerial decision. The Government has indicated that any such decision will be considered in the context of the prevailing public health situation and vaccination roll-out.

On 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead, with an emphasis on lower risk activities given the risks posed by the Delta variant.

The Government continues to follow its plan to review and monitor the control of the virus and follow the prevailing public health advice in support of a safe and gradual reopening, in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead. Unfortunately this means that indoor activities in groups or classes cannot be permitted at present. Detailed Information and updates may be accessed on the Gov.ie website.

Top
Share