Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
269. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when a plan will be produced for safe reopening for staff, children and parents involved in the performing arts and a timeline for the safe resumption of indoor classes. [41826/21]
View answer275. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has a roadmap for when indoor classes will be allowed to resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42134/21]
View answer277. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if one to one music classes are identified as a personal service; and if she will provide clarity on the return of one to one music classes under the current public health guidelines. [42203/21]
View answer279. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will establish a framework that brings the public health restrictions on individual in-person music tuition in line with other sectors in order that students can attend classes as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42309/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 269, 275, 277 and 279 together.
On 31 August, the Government published a plan - COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting. The Government has agreed that during the period between 1 September and 22 October, we will continue our careful and gradual approach to reopening, while supporting maximum reach of the vaccine programme and allowing time to achieve the full benefits for all those currently being vaccinated. The Plan emphasises the importance of personal responsibility in minimising opportunities for virus transmission as we move into the final stages of the reopening of our society and economy.
In terms of arts and culture activities, one to one music, dance and art classes may operate at the moment.
Additionally, at its meeting on 31 August, Government agreed on the return of organised indoor group activities, on the following basis from 20 September:
- For organised indoor activities where attendees are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19, and accompanying minors, 100 people may attend;
- For organised indoor activities where attendance is a mixed group of vaccinated and unvaccinated people, the group should be organised in pods of up to 6 participants (excluding adult leaders/teachers), with 2m distancing between pods.
Indoor group activities include sports, arts, culture and dance classes. All indoor group activities should ensure that there are appropriate infection prevention and control measures in place to minimise the risk of virus transmission. The Arts Council has prepared guidance on the reopening of arts, culture and dance activities for children and young people which is available on their website http://www.artscouncil.ie/covid-19/government-guidelines/, which is currently being updated.
As signalled by Government in its reopening plan, it is envisaged that a full return to these activities will be possible after 22 October 2021 as the vaccination programme progresses and subject to the levels of infections and hospitalisations at that time.
