Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are facing into a long winter and, after yesterday, another round of restrictions is on the way.

Households will find them even more confining now that the evenings are getting longer. Our children are not used to what we faced in the past seven months. They often cannot tell what is abuse, even when it is happening in their homes. Will the Minister commit to bringing forward a stepped-up publicity campaign aimed at children this winter, especially in schools? It could outline the telltale signs of abuse they may see happening at home or, if something is not right, where they can get help. Also, does his Department have any plans to examine the impact the worry brought on by Covid-19 is having on our children, and the mental health consequences they may experience for some time? Is the Minister putting together a plan to roll out additional counselling services that will be catered for those children who may need them into the future?

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