The impacts of Covid-19

Seven organisations (Tusla, Barnardos, DRCD, CIB, Ibec, Pobal, SPMHS) made broad Department-level recommendations relating to the equality, inclusion and rights-based impacts of the pandemic and its aftermath, particularly on vulnerable and minority groups. The DRCD discussed the impacts on social and community cohesion, and highlighted the deepening exclusion of marginalised communities. CIB called for increased quality public services and supports, particularly for “people with disabilities, lone parents and those in precarious work situations and younger people trying to engage with the labour force”.

Similarly, Barnardos called for the SoS to introduce “specific objectives in its upcoming strategy which are designed to combat the worst effects of the pandemic for vulnerable children and adults”. Pobal and SPMHS references the physical and mental health impacts of the pandemic on groups under the Department’s remit. Pobal called for the DCEDIY to take the opportunity “to address some of the structural causes” of inequality that are being exacerbated by the pandemic, and also suggested “supporting behavioural change” to encouraging better health outcomes. Ibec discussed how the pandemic has “accentuated existing diversity challenges in the workplace”, highlighting the employment rates among marginalised groups, such as members of the Traveller and Roma communities and people with disabilities. Ibec also called for the SoS to plan “for the changing nature of work in a post-Covid Ireland that supports the inclusion of all groups and is resilient to future societal challenges”, for example, by ensuring that “Labour Market Activation Programmes in response to the pandemic are targeted and inclusive of marginalised communities”.