Impacts of Covid-19 on children

16 submissions made specific recommendations to address the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children, particularly those from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups (Tusla, Barnardos, AI, CIB, IGG, Coalition 2030, Ibec, DRCD, DF, ARA, AC, SCNN, SPMHS, BeLonG To, LGBTI Ireland, Public member 1). Tusla recommended adapting public services to respond to the impact of the pandemic by, for example, paying greater attention to issues related to digital poverty (highlighted as a key concern during the 2020 school closures). Barnardos called for a “pandemic-responsive strategy” that includes specific objectives to address the impacts of the pandemic, such as the increase in families affected by issues related to mental health, domestic violence and addiction. BeLonG To, among others, called for further consultation with children to better understand the impact of the pandemic on their lives, and recommended promoting and providing community events to help alleviate experiences of isolation. The AC stressed the need to ensure that opportunities are available to children to continue to develop their artistic skills, expression and interest outside of school. Meanwhile, AI focused on the opportunity presented by Covid to make radical changes to social policy, and called for the SoS to support a referendum on the right to housing.