A €100 million ‘Catch-Up for Children’ fund to counter the “severe impact” of lost time at school, sports, and extra-curricular activities during the pandemic, must be introduced by the Government.
This is the view of Labour Galway City West councillor, Niall McNelis, who said the State should look at the example of other countries which are introducing such measures.
“The need for a coherent plan for the reopening of schools has dominated headlines for the last number of weeks, and rightly so,” he said. “However, even after schools re-open,, measures must be put in place to provide practical support as children have already missed out on so much education and key developmental and social activities.”
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Labour Galway City West councillor, Niall McNelis.
The Labour Party is putting forward the idea in Ireland and estimates that €100 million will be required to fund extra tuition and other educational supports, along with special projects in schools and local clubs.
The former mayor added that any such scheme must, in particular, focus on vulnerable children and young people, those from socio-economic disadvantage, and those with disabilities or other additional needs.
Vulnerable children
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“It is well-documented that this pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities and social issues that were there before the pandemic,” said Cllr McNelis. “Vulnerable children or those who have a difficult homelife are struggling to maintain a connection with a trusted adult who may be able to help them. This is one of the many very important roles played by community youth groups across the State.”.
He is also calling for an assessment of the “damage caused” by school closures in 2020 and 2021. “The time to develop post-Covid supports in Ireland is now,” he said. “A year is a long time for a child and the Government must be prepared to deal with the fallout of the huge sacrifices young people have had to make to curb the threat of Covid-19.”
