Ms Anne Tansey:

We know that there has been an increase in anxiety among people across the country in response to Covid-19. That is a normal and healthy response to the challenges we have faced and it is being dealt with through the collective experience that has been utilised and the support that has been provided. It has been managed largely across our society. We know that the public health restrictions and school closures have rendered some families and children more vulnerable. We know that those with a pre-existing need have been rendered more vulnerable, as have those who experienced illness, bereavement or financial stress. The removal of the supportive school structure, which is a key protective factor in the well-being of many children's lives, has rendered some children more vulnerable.

Since the start of the pandemic, we have been providing guidance around supporting the well-being of children and young people while they have been out of school, as well as support for their teachers and their parents. That guidance has been issued via the Department of Education and Skills. What we are planning for in terms of the summer school provision is a training webinar that NEPS is currently developing which will be made available to all teaching and other school staff who are supporting the summer programmes. We intend to provide additional guidance in this regard and there will also be support from NEPS psychologists. That is the plan for supporting the well-being of our children and supporting the school staff who will be delivering the support to children.