Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Niall Muldoon and the Office of the Ombudsman for Children for requesting this discussion. Dr. Muldoon has generally been progressive in his role and his office is absolutely excellent in the work it does. We should take every opportunity to discuss issues affecting children, including the impact of the Covid-19 crisis and, in particular, the scourge of child poverty and homelessness.

The pandemic has had an enormous impact on the developmental, physical and mental well-being of children in Ireland. The world as children knew it has fundamentally changed. The unprecedented challenges facing children as we emerge from Covid-19 are not insignificant. The changes have impacted their physical and mental health, the fair and equitable access they should enjoy to education and a secure home, and their social outlets. Children's ability to play was completely curtailed during this period. There was a closure of juvenile sports activities, as well as dance, music and other after-school activities. I have spoken regularly about the Young Irish Film Makers group and the film clubs in which children participate. All those activities were closed or had to go online, which was not great either, particularly for younger children. Interaction was limited and it was difficult for them to concentrate in a Zoom setting. We all find that hard at times and it is even more difficult for this age group.

Children returned to classrooms that were a completely changed environment, with social distancing, segregation by way of pods and the requirement to wear face masks for some pupils. Children in one-parent homes, those experiencing homelessness, persistent poverty and domestic violence, children living in direct provision and young people struggling with addiction and substance abuse have been disproportionately affected by the loss of contact with the outside world. Inequalities already experienced by many vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the Irish Traveller community and Roma and migrant communities have been accelerated as services and supports were temporarily removed or closed during the pandemic. Vulnerable children felt the impact of this the most.

As many parents lost employment or were forced to reduce their economic activity, children were at increased risk of experiencing poverty. The switch to online learning did not work in all households. I personally found the online schooling experience extremely difficult and I do not know how teachers or anybody else does it. It certainly was a challenge. Families already experiencing multiple adversities found that their difficulties intensified during the pandemic. They were unable to access the same level of support from family and friends and, simultaneously, were not able to access the former level of professional support from community health and specialist services. It is unreasonable to expect children of all backgrounds and abilities simply to pick up where they left off. We have a duty of care to help already struggling families and ensure they do not fall into homelessness.

I am also concerned that the pandemic has further embedded the existing developmental gap between disadvantaged children and their peers, which will become apparent when they return to school. I recognise that this is within the sphere of the Department of Education, but anything we can do to help children along must be done. Even if they were not struggling before the Covid crisis, just getting back into the whole routine and system of homework and everything else can be difficult. Many children feel like they went out in third class, say, and came back in fourth class. It is very hard to catch up and anything we can do in that regard will have long-term benefits for children, particularly in terms of their emotional well-being. When children are struggling in school, they start to dread going in and worry about homework. It becomes a very negative circle. Anything that can be done in that regard should definitely be emphasised.

A range of educational, socio-economic and health inequalities have been further exacerbated following the pandemic. Digital inequalities mean that families who might benefit the most from early intervention may lose out. As we come out of the Covid crisis, undetected needs will emerge. As Dr. Muldoon rightly points out, children must be prioritised. As the calls from industry grow louder, children's voices must not be lost. That is key, particularly in the run-up to the budget. We have a real opportunity to address how children are living in Ireland. I and several of my colleagues in Sinn Féin have been working on a document that addresses some of the obstacles facing children and their families as we emerge from the pandemic. In my meetings with various stakeholders and child welfare advocates, I was struck by the need for a cross-departmental strategy for children. A children's recovery plan is essential. We hope to publish our document in the coming weeks.

An issue that continues to come up again and again, and which particularly affects children from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds, is that of access to vital early years and childcare hours through the national childcare scheme. Unfortunately, the Department continues to deny that the under-allocation of hours to children on the basis of their parents' employment or educational status is having a detrimental impact. That is unacceptable. I have raised this point in nearly all the questions I have put to the Minister and it remains an issue.

I again thank Dr. Muldoon and his staff for their progressive and excellent work.

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