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Covid-19 Tests

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

Ceisteanna (266)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

266. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide Covid-19 testing for GAA players to prevent outbreaks in the community; if this could be seen as urgent in view of the fact that social distancing in the sport is deemed impossible; and if financial support will be made available to fund such a strategy. [16015/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The issue of publicly-funded COVID-19 testing is a matter for the public health authorities and my colleague the Minister for Health.

The Expert Advisory Group on the Return to Sport, established by my predecessor and which includes medical personnel from the sports sector, has advised - in line with public health advice - that the basic principles of good hygiene practice, hand washing, cough etiquette and social distancing are the most important tools available for the management of this virus. It is recognised that certain sports inherently have social distancing constraints. A sport stratification has been developed to identify low risk and high risk sports in terms of contact. However, the Expert Advisory Group considers that a key message remains that what is done off the field of play is as important as on the field of play.

I am aware that some sports, both domestically and internationally, are using testing as a means to aid return to sport. I wish to inform the Deputy that for the purposes of educating Ireland's National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) on what these tests are, the role they can potentially play and also to facilitate NGBs in making an informed decision as to whether they wish to employ testing as a tool, the Expert Advisory Group is in the process of completing an information circular for NGBs. It is planned to distribute this information circular in the near future.

The Government is strongly supporting the resumption of sport. A funding package of up to €70 million has been announced to support the sport sector, which has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The funding package will be administered by Sport Ireland.

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