Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Upskilling teachers in terms of being aware when children are bereaved is important but is still not the primary function of a teacher's job, and probably will not provide what the child needs in terms of bereavement and counselling support. There might be a need at some point for the Government to review our policy and strategy on this.

With regard to Covid, I am still contacted by people who lost loved ones during the height of the crisis, when there was separation and they could not say goodbye, and there were incredible situations in nursing homes, in hospitals and at funerals, which we all remember. There are still people living with that. Within the HSE national counselling strategy, if there was some element or focus on those who lost someone during Covid, that would be a great help.

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