Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
521. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the plans in place for unvaccinated children utilising indoor play centres and camps; the effect this has on these facilities to reopen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39733/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 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.
Details of current public health measures can be found online at gov.ie. Gov.ie provides the current position with respect to indoor leisure facilities and summer camps: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/7894b-post-cabinet-statement-resilience-and-recovery-the-path-ahead/#summer-camps. It provides that summer camps should adhere to public health measures on organised indoor and outdoor activities as appropriate, applying at the time. Currently outdoor camps can go ahead, but indoor camps are not permitted. Additionally, it provides that indoor facilities including indoor play centres must remain closed.
The public health measures decided upon by Government are also given effect in regulations made by the Minister for Health under Section 31A of the Health Act of 1937. The current regulations made under the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A) set limits on attendances at organised outdoor events and do not provide for any organised indoor events.
My colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has policy responsibility for children and youth, including with respect to play and recreation.
