Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
37. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he will put in place to support a fair and equitable recovery for children and young persons impacted by the Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions of the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14665/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the first instance I would like to acknowledge the negative impact that Covid-19 has had on all our people both young and old. I would also like to commend our children and young people for the way they have dealt with the impact of the pandemic on their lives. The loss of social outlets during lockdowns has been felt across our society and my Department has put a number of measures in place to aid the recovery of our children and young people from the impacts of the pandemic.
Clearly, one of the key issues for children and young people is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures. I know all children and young people have been significantly adversely impacted by the events of recent years, with school closures, changed or reduced availability of certain services, as well as causing disruption to children and young people’s social lives. Moreover, some reports have demonstrated that the pandemic had particularly adverse impacts on those who are most vulnerable in our society.
My Department is working to ensure that we have an equitable recovery from this pandemic. My department is currently developing a successor policy framework to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, which will run to 2028. Addressing the harm caused to our children and young people will form a key part of the successor policy framework. It will build on the successes of the previous policy, such as the 5 National Outcomes, and elements of the implementation structure which helped to deliver change for children and young people such as the National Advisory Council. However, I am also conscious that the successor policy framework will have to address the many issues children and young people face. I am pleased that my Department recently completed an open, public consultation to inform the successor framework, looking both at what is going well for children and young people, what is not going well, and what actions Government should take to enhance children and young people’s lives, especially those who are vulnerable.
The Growing up in Ireland (GUI) survey has tracked outcomes for children and young people before and during the pandemic. The special GUI Covid survey carried out in December 2020 showed that many 12 year olds participated less in organised activities and many 22 year olds spent less time with friends during the pandemic. Many participants in both groups also reported symptoms of low mood, 22% of 12 year olds and almost half of 22 year olds. GUI is currently collecting data from 13 year olds which will shed light on how they are doing in relation to health, education, socioemotional well-being, activities and relationships in the aftermath of the pandemic. GUI will also survey the older group at the age of 25 in 2023 on these issues, as well as their experiences of employment.
My Department has a significant role to play in promoting the wellbeing of children and young people, as well as the realisation of children’s rights, across Government. I am committed to consulting with our partners within and outside Government on this topic, listening carefully to the results of our recent, public consultation and continuing to study the specific impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those who are vulnerable to ensure our policy sets out a robust framework for recovery and for improved outcomes for children and young people.
Throughout the pandemic, my Department has engaged with children and young people to learn about their experience during the pandemic. In the summer of 2020, my Department, the Department of Health and the youth sector, collaborated with SpunOut.ie to undertake an online survey of young people’s experiences of COVID-19. A Youth Advisory Group worked with officers from my Department to guide the development and analysis of the consultation. The consultation asked young people about what has been working well for them and the challenges in maintaining their wellbeing during COVID-19. This engagement by my Department gave young people a chance to provide us with feedback on what could be useful in improving their mental health and wellbeing over the coming months.
Children and Young People Services Committees (CYPSC) responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and utilised my Department’s programme funding to help coordinate initiatives in response to identified needs for children and young people and their families. Examples of this important work included the delivery of school meals, family educational and activity packs, and food packs to local families. This work was done in collaboration with local partners in the Community & Voluntary sector, such as the Children’s Rights Alliance. This work is ongoing, with CYPSCs continuing to identify and address the needs of disadvantaged communities throughout the pandemic.
Given the importance of early learning and childcare for children, their families, and society more broadly, I put in place a range of supports for the early learning and childcare sector since the onset of Covid-19 pandemic.
During periods of closure and restricted access to services, supports had included tailored funding arrangements a range of capital programmes, an antigen programme, sector-specific infection prevention and control guidance, and access to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS).
Ensuring that early learning and childcare services continue to operate safely for children, families and staff, is among the key objectives of these supports.
Supporting parents and enabling them to fulfil their roles will be vital as the country recovers from the impacts of the pandemic. My Department is currently finalising a national model for parenting supports, which seeks to support all parents to be confident and capable in their parenting role, and to achieve the best outcomes for children and families. The model will be published later this year, and recognises the importance of all persons who play a parenting role in the lives of children and young people.
