Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
228. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if painters, decorators, plumbers, electricians and associated trades persons can continue to work under level 5 restrictions; the guidelines for these trades persons when working in individual homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33034/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 is a cross-government approach to managing and living with the pandemic over the next 6 – 9 months.
The Government decided that, from midnight on Wednesday 21st October, the entire country would be placed on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID with a small number of exceptions.
This action was based on current public health advice, the deteriorating situation with the disease across the country and the Government’s objectives to support families by keeping schools and childcare facilities open, maintaining non-Covid health services and protecting the vulnerable.
The regulations governing the restrictions under Level 5 classify the following as an essential service:
(a) construction or development work and the provision of support services relating to construction and development work;
(b) the repair, maintenance and construction of road, rail and utility infrastructure:
(c) the supply and delivery of maintenance and repair services to businesses and places of residence (including electrical, gas, oil, plumbing, glazing and roofing services)
Physical attendance at workplaces is only permitted for those providing essential services where such services can only be provided in person and cannot be delivered remotely.
Essential purposes for travel (permitted outside 5 km limit) includes travel to and from work, where work involves providing an essential service. Further information on essential services can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/#construction-and-development
All essential service providers carrying out work activities permitted under Level 5 restrictions should comply with all the current public health advice and recommendations in place regarding the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 and with the due regard to the Return to Work Safely Protocol. https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Return-to-Work-Safely-Protocol.pdf
