Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
359. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is considering allowing outdoor sports facilities to open for persons that are vulnerable and in need of regular exercise including older persons, persons with disabilities and special needs and those suffering from isolation during level 5 Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35241/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra360. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is considering allowing outdoor sports facilities to open for persons that are vulnerable and in need of regular exercise including older persons, persons with disabilities and special needs and those suffering from isolation during level 5 Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35285/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.
Given the current epidemiological situation with high incidence of disease, widespread community transmission, and considerable numbers of hospitalisations and deaths, it has been necessary to put in place very significant restrictions to arrest the current trajectory of the disease and break transmission chains. This means asking people to stay at home and eliminating as much activity and contacts as is possible to ensure that opportunities for the virus to transmit are minimised, while allowing essential activities to continue. Unfortunately, this means minimising discretionary activities including sporting activity.
While the Government fully understands the benefits that sport brings to peoples overall health and well-being, including older persons, and persons with disabilities and special needs, the measures in place to suppress the disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising and protecting some activities over others. Such activities include health and social care services, education and other essential needs, work and economic activity, and other key societal interests (in so far as possible) such as sports and important family gatherings.
The Government recognises the impacts COVID-19 and the related public health measures are having on our mental health and well-being. The “Keep Well” campaign, launched on 29th October, is aimed at showing people of all ages how we can mind our own physical and mental health and wellbeing by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines. It provides guidelines, information, and tips on things that will help us keep well through the coming months. All of this is available on gov.ie/healthyireland.
