New supports have been launched to help children and parents through the COVID-19 crisis as people prepare for a return to normality.
The new online resource for parents, called Parents Centre, provides links to a wide range of trusted and online resources including learning, parenting and information on supports for parents.
Minister Ciaran Cannon said that while children’s usual activities must be temporarily modified during the crisis, the resources will offer parents and families another important outlet for support at this time.
“The coronavirus outbreak has led to a necessary and rapid re-ordering of daily routines, until further notice, and parents have had to adopt to new roles as teachers throughout this time,” said the Fine Gael TD.
“I wish to acknowledge the excellent work parents, guardians and families in the county are doing in that regard, under such extraordinary circumstances, and I’m pleased to note the launch in the past few days of a range of supports for children and parents to support them during this challenging time.”
Minister Cannon said that Parents Centre is easy to navigate and will help parents in Galway access the information and support they need, and that itwill be updated as new resources and information for parents are developed.
“I also welcome Minister Zappone’s launch of an initiative for children via Let’s Play Ireland, a gov.ie resource to support children and young people’s play during this time, which has been developed with key experts across various sectors including Early Years, Education, Health, Local Authorities, Academic Partners in UCC and Mary Immaculate College, Creative Ireland, Tusla and others.
“Keeping children in touch with the activities they are used to is crucial at a time like this and while those activities must be temporarily modified to take account of the prevailing public health situation, these resources will offer parents and families another important outlet for support,” he added.