Please find attached 4 items for your information.
– Social graphics for Level 5, portrait and landscape, issued on Wednesday 21 October 2020 (Irish version will follow shortly)
– Statement of An Taoiseach, Moving to Level 5 of the Framework for Living with Covid-19, on Monday 19 October 2020
– Ireland placed on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID, press release on Monday 19 October 2020
L5_Restrictions_Oct_HorizL5_Restrictions_Vert
ISSUED BY SPORT IRELAND:
Following last night’s Government Announcement Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan will move to Level 4 at midnight tonight (Thursday, 15 October).
Please see below details in relation to sport:
Level 4
Training: Non-contact outdoor training can take place but only in pods of up to 15.
Matches and events: No matches or events to take place.
Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools: These should be closed.
There is an exemption for professional and elite sport along with inter-county GAA which can continue to train.
Competition in these sports must take place behind closed doors.
Level 3
The rest of the country remains at Level 3 with some additional measures.
Training: Non-contact outdoor training can take place but only in pods of up to 15.
Matches and events: No matches or events to take place.
Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools: May remain open for individual use only, and with protective measures in place. No exercise or dance classes.
There is an exemption for professional and elite sport along with inter-county GAA which can continue to train.
Competition in these sports must take place behind closed doors.
Important Notes on Level 3:
The Expert Group is awaiting final sign off on guidance for indoor sport in Level 3. Until then sports should refrain from Indoor Group Activity.
Senior National Competition can no longer take place in Level 3.
Professional & Elite Sport Definitions
This is defined as covering those who are:
Inter-county Sport : Refers specifically to competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association or the Camogie Association.
The Federation of Irish Sport is delighted to welcome Budget 2021’s significant increase in funding for the sport and physical activity sector. The Federation is pleased to see government’s strong recognition of the value of the sport sector and it’s need for continued support and development in line with the National Sports Policy. Today’s announcement not only meets the government’s own commitment to incrementally double funding for the sector by 2027 but is also recognition of the significant challenges facing the sector in light of COVID-19 and the cessation of activity during 2020.
Budget 2021 was a significant milestone on the road to funding and resourcing the sector to achieve the targets set out in the National Sports Policy. In what has been an extraordinarily challenging year for the sector, it is heartening to see the government in the third year of the National Sport Policy build on the previous two years of established funding and extend that support to include recognition of immediate challenges facing the sector. Federation member organisations are committed to the growth and development of sport and physical activity for all and the return on this investment will be evident for all to see.
Speaking about the announcement, Federation CEO Mary O’Connor said, ‘Today has been a watershed moment for sport and physical activity. While government support through the pandemic has been appreciated by members it was also undeniably necessary. We have been calling for the continuation of existing funding commitments for the sector at a time when investment in sport and physical activity is ever more important. Today’s announcement shows government’s strong support of the sector as well as their commitment to deliver on targets set prior to the current crisis. This is a true show of support for the work our member organisations do and the positive impact they can have through the pandemic and beyond. We are pleased to see that the commitment to double funding in line with action 45 of the National Sports Policy has been met and superseded again for 2021. We would like to thank the government for their continued engagement with the Federation and our members on the pertinent issues facing sport and their endorsement today of the important and valuable role sport and physical activity play in Irish society.’
After an advocacy-driven campaign on behalf of its members, which included a comprehensive pre-budget submission, meetings with government officials and an appearance at the Joint Committee for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, the Federation of Irish Sport now awaits the publication of a detailed breakdown of allocated funding and looks forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure the continued delivery of sport and physical activity opportunities for all.
ENDS
For further detail or comment please contact sinead.conroy@irishsport.ie
Thank you for your continuing support in helping to share information about COVID-19. Below are a few communications updates for you.
Public Health Measures
All counties in Ireland are moving to Level 3 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19.
Extra measures and supports are in place in Donegal and Dublin.
You can download a graphic of all of the levels here of the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19.
Public Health Information
As always, for the most up to date information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to:
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus/
https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/. Clinical and professional guidance relating to COVID-19 is available on www.hpsc.ie where you’ll find up to date guidance for healthcare settings and non-clinical settings.
Please also check here for the most up to date partner resources for COVID-19.
You can view the latest information on how Ireland is responding to cases of COVID-19 here.
Today, October 7th, the Federation of Irish Sport accepted an invitation from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and An Gaeltacht to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on sporting organisations and mass participation events. It was a welcome opportunity to highlight the significant challenges facing a sector that generates €2.7bn in consumer spending each year and employs some 39,500 people.
The impact of COVID-19 has been devastating for clubs and their governing bodies for many reasons, including significant financial losses of up to 70%, reduced provision of programmes and initiatives for participation and cancellation of seasons, leagues and events. Today was an opportunity to illustrate examples of such loss and emphasis the importance of continued government support for the sector building on the previously welcomed €70 support package announced in June.
It also provided a further platform to illustrate our pre-budget asks of government in advance of the publication of the 2021 budget on October 13th. At today’s hearing the Federation reiterated the importance of the National Sports Policy and it’s target trajectory over the next 7 years. The Federation’s single biggest ask is that government continue to deliver on their commitment to incrementally double funding for sport by 2027. While the challenge of COVID-19 has been immense for many organisations, is it essential that the long term future of the sport sector is protected and invested in in order to deliver a brighter future for all who engage with it. While the sector must survive COVID-19 in order to thrive long into the future, commitment by government to build on progress made prior to the pandemic is vital.
Speaking after the committee meeting, Federation of Irish Sport CEO Mary O’Connor said,
‘We are pleased to have the opportunity to appear before the committee today and highlight some of the significant challenges facing our member organisations as they look towards 2021. While COVID-19 has been devastating in 2020, we are also concerned about what 2021 will bring for a sector that relies so heavily on mass participation and bringing people together to take part. We have stressed the importance of continued COVID related supports to build on the government support package of June but we have also demonstrated the need for a continued and sustained increase in funding for sporting organisations. It is essential that core funding is maintained so that when this pandemic begins to retreat, our organisations are ready to build on the very successful position they held heading into 2020 and continue to provide invaluable opportunities for individuals to become healthier, more active members of our society.”
The Federation of Irish Sport’s full budget submission can be found at: https://www.irishsport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Pre-Budget-Submission-2021.pdf
For further information contact sinead.conroy@irishsport.ie
