Aug 21, 2020
Guideline: Sporting events and matches can continue to take place behind closed doors
- A behind closed doors event can include: ‘Any individual involved in the participation, running, delivery, and broadcasting (if relevant) of the event’.
- The 6 indoor /15 outdoor participant restrictions do not apply to competition, events, or tournaments.
- NGBs & Clubs with competition, events, tournaments planned up to September 13th 2020 should go ahead as planned with strict public health measures and protocols in place. No Spectators should attend these events.
- Parents/Guardians attending in a safeguarding /supervisory capacity are not classified as a spectator however strict social distancing and public health guidelines should be adhered to at all times. In that context, one parent/guardian per child is permitted to attend at a sporting event, including a game or training session, should they consider it necessary. These provisions will be subject to strict protocols which will be issued in the coming days.
Guideline: Sport facilities can remain open.
Gyms/leisure centres/swimming pools/exercise and dance studios can remain open with strict distancing and other appropriate protective measures in place:
- Total Indoor Gym/Facility/Pool Use can remain at the previous maximum levels of 50 once there is sufficient space available. In addition, facilities should be extra vigilant of potential congestion points such as entrance/exit points, changing rooms and reception areas ensuring that social distancing and other public health measures are maintained at all times.
- Organised Sports training within indoor facilities can do so in multiple pods of 6 once sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place.
- Swimming and indoor water based activities can do so in pod’s/lanes of 6 once sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place.
Guideline: Exercise and dance classes should be limited to 6 people and observe physical distancing rules.
Groups exercising outdoors should be limited to 15 people, including training sessions. There should be no mixing between groups.
- Organised Sports training within indoor facilities can do so in multiple pods of 6 once sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place.
- Outdoor Exercise & Sports training can do so in multiple pods of 15 once sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place.
- Sports Summer Camps can do so in multiple pods of 6 (indoor) and 15 (outdoor) once sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place.
- Indoor Exercise & Dance classes should remain at 6 only as per guidance however may operate multiple pods if sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place.
Ratios: Working Example
- For Adult Activity, Coaches & Instructors should be included in the pod sizes. For example in outdoor training a ratio of 1:14 could be used. In the case of multiple pods indoors, ratios of 1:11 may be acceptable.
- For Underage Activity, Individual Safeguarding Ratio’s will depend on the nature of the activity, the age of the participants and any special needs of the group, Sport Ireland’s general guide include 1:8 for under 12 years of age and 1:10 for over 12 years of age. There should be at least one adult of each gender with mixed parties.
Information provided by Sport Ireland on 20th August 2020.
Aug 19, 2020
Revenue have issued Employer notices on the operation of the Wage Subsidy Schemes, TWSS and EWSS, to participating TWSS employers this week. The details are as follows:
Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS):
The TWSS Scheme, which provided significant supports to employers since 26 March 2020, will cease to operate after 31 August 2020. All payroll submissions received with pay dates on or after 1 September 2020 will not be processed under the TWSS and refunds will not be paid.
For pay dates from 1 September, you are required:
- To return all employees to normal payroll and report normal PRSI classes, not J9 Class
- Not to make temporary wage subsidy payments to your employees Revenue will shortly be publishing guidance on the reconciliation of TWSS.
Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS):
On 23 July last, the Government announced the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme. This provides economy-wide enterprise support to give a flat-rate subsidy to eligible employers based on the numbers of paid eligible employees on the employer’s payroll. The EWSS replaces the TWSS for pay dates on or from 1 September 2020 and is expected to continue until 31 March 2021.
If you wish to avail of the EWSS it is necessary to meet the qualifying criteria and register to participate in the scheme. The general eligibility criteria require that your business experiences, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a 30% reduction in turnover or orders between 1 July and 31 December 2020. Childcare businesses registered in accordance with Section 58C of the Child Care Act 1991 are also included in the scheme.
For more information – https://www.osk.ie/blog/posts/revenue-employer-notice-wage-subsidy-schemes/
Aug 19, 2020
Please see the most up to date information on sport and physical activity as they relate to Covid19.
We appreciate this is difficult and challenging setback for all bodies, however public health is paramount. Thank you all for your work and cooperation in these unprecedented circumstances.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/cf9b0d-new-public-health-measures-effective-now-to-prevent-further-spread-o/
Aug 18, 2020
Bowl playing, also known as road bowling or road bowls, is a competitive game which is unique in its history. It is a game of skill, tradition, and style which has been enjoyed through the cultural changes of passing generations.
Bol Chumann na hEireann, the Road Bowling Association, would be very grateful for your view /input on how you believe the sport should next develop and how we preserve and grow interest in the game for future generations.
Please take 5 minutes max to complete our survey and help the development of road bowling. Findings from the survey will be used to build a strategic direction for road bowling in Ireland over the next decade.
This survey has been developed to capture the views of both bowlers and the general public, who may have seen or have an interest in bowling.
Please have your say and click on the following link – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/roadbowling
Jul 30, 2020
DEDICATED TO THE DEDICATED: EBS AND THE FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT LAUNCH 2020 VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS
Link to imagery: https://we.tl/t-YyUwHN81ws
EBS Mortgage Masters and the Federation of Irish Sport to hero the volunteers who are the backbone of Irish sport
JULY 30TH, 2020: EBS is delighted to once more partner with the Federation of Irish Sport to champion and support the army of volunteers in sport and physical activity in local communities in Ireland with the announcement of the 2020 Volunteers in Sport Awards today.
The army of 450,000 volunteers in sport across Ireland go above and beyond what is asked of them to ensure that sport takes place. These volunteers dedicate some 37.2 million hours of volunteering across the country’s 13,000+ sports clubs and associations each year. Every day, these volunteers mobilise in the early hours, late at night and at weekends; all on their own time – with little or no recognition or reward – to support sport across Ireland. There is no glory, but they are there when it matters – for the team, for their family, for their friends, for their community, for their country.
The Federation of Irish Sport created the awards to ensure the Sport’s Volunteer is recognised and celebrated on a national scale. In partnership with EBS the Federation wants to recognise the dedication and passion of these volunteers by heroing them at an awards ceremony. The Federation and EBS are calling on the Irish public to nominate a volunteer in their sport who they would like to see recognised at the 2020 Volunteers in Sport Awards, which will be held at Croke Park on Monday, November 16th, 2020. To nominate an everyday hero, simply visit http://www.volunteersinsport.com/ Nominations can be made by a club, individual or sporting body and are open from July 30th, 2020 to September 25th, 2020.
Speaking about the launch of the 2020 edition of the awards, Paul Butler, EBS Commercial Director commented; “EBS is delighted to partner with the Federation of Irish Sport to celebrate and recognise the many everyday heroes around Ireland who are truly the backbone of Irish sport and without whom, sport in Ireland simply would not happen. We have been involved in communities in Ireland for over 80 years and are delighted to continue our activity in communities around the country with this partnership with the Federation of Irish Sport. We are really looking forward to championing and celebrating these volunteers and giving them the recognition they deserve for the fantastic work they do for sport in Ireland.”
Also speaking at the launch of the awards, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor, said: “Sport plays a central role in the social fabric of every county, parish and village in the country – now more than ever, the role of the volunteer is essential. We are delighted to announce that the 2020 Volunteers in Sport Awards are now open and are full steam ahead for November. We thank EBS for their continued support in bringing the awards and wider recognition of volunteers to life, in what has been a particularly challenging year for sports clubs and organisations so far, the role of the volunteer has never been more important.
“The value of volunteering in sport in Ireland is unimaginable, with an estimated 37.2 million hours of unpaid voluntary work performed every year. It is these people who make sport happen in Ireland, and it is essential they are recognised, and indeed funded to ensure that sporting tradition grows even further on a national and international footing.”
For full information on how to nominate your volunteer in sport for the 2020 Volunteer in Sport Awards visit http://www.volunteersinsport.com/
ENDS
