This page is updated regularly.

Below please find a series of supports, resources and tips for families or parents parenting alone during the COVID-19 alert.

Added on April 29th, 2020

Resources for Children and Parents

  • Parents Centre contains information for parents and provides links to a wide range of trusted and high quality online resources including learning, parenting and information on supports that are available.
  • Let’s Play Ireland is an online portal on Gov.ie, providing access to a range of play resources for children.
  • First 5, is the Government’s strategy for babies, young children and their families, and it includes play and learning resources for children under 6.
Read more here.
Added on April 29th, 2020
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Children’s Right Alliance Helpline
COVID-19 is a worrying and uncertain time for children, young people, and their families. The Children’s Right Alliance helpline offers support in areas like education, early years, immigration, family law.

01 902 0494
help@childrensrights.ie

Modays 10am-2pm
Wednsadays 2pm-7pm
Fridays 10am-12pm

Added on April 23rd, 2020
eJigsaw Logo

Information and Support for Young People, Parents and Guardians

While The Jigsaw face-to-face services are temporarily suspended, young people’s mental health remains a top priority. The Jigsaw clinicians are busy developing articles, videos, animations and audio which will be published on the website here regularly. These will all reflect the changing environment we are in, providing information and support for young people, parents and guardians and those working with young people.
Added on April 21st, 2020

One Parent Family Payment

There are situations where a One Parent Family recipient is no longer receiving maintenance for their child because the other parent has lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In these cases, the One Parent Family recipient should contact their local Intreo Centre and provide it with a letter (from the recipient) stating that they are no longer receiving the maintenance payment from the other parent.

The department will then revise their One Parent Family payment on that basis for a period of 12 weeks. After that period their means may be re-assessed stage following a review.

As the family courts are not hearing maintenance cases during the pandemic, this situation is being carefully monitored on an ongoing basis, to ensure that these lone parents do not have to face any further difficulties or hardship at this time.

See more details here.

Added on April 10th, 2020

Askonefamily Helpline

People Parenting Alone, Sharing Parenting and Separating

The national askonefamily helpline provides listening support to people who are parenting alone, co-parenting or separating and are finding themselves in distress during COVID-19.

It also offers information on: social welfare, finances, family law, housing, education, childcare, parenting, and mediation.

The helpline is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm- 3.30pm and can be accessed on 1890 662 212 or 01 662 9212  or by email at info@onefamily.ie and also through Direct Mail (DM) on Facebook.

Find further info on the One Family website here.

Guidelines to Help Parents Parenting Alone
One Family have put together a series of guidelines to help parents parenting alone during COVID-19.
  • Parenting during Covid-19 – read here
  • One-Parent Families and Covid-19 – read here
  • Caring for your children if you get sick – read here
  • Talking to your child about becoming seriously ill – read here
Added on April 10th, 2020

NEPS Advice & Resources

Keeping Children and Young People Well During COVID-19

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) have developed advice and some resources for young people to manage and stay well when schools are closed during COVID-19.

NEPS psychologists have developed guidance for parents supporting children to create new routines at home.
Having a Plan for the Day is key for children/young people to manage and stay well at this time.

NEPS psychologists have also developed advice for parents and schools on talking to children and young people about COVID-19 here.

Find further details here.
Added on April 15th, 2020

Online Safety for Children

While schools are closed and restrictions are in place, it is likely that online activity will have increased in the home for both learning and entertainment purposes. Parents and guardians are reminded that it is important to have a conversation with their child about being safe online.

  • Webwise offers information, practical advice and free education resources addressing a range of internet safety issues and concerns, including the latest online safety advice in relation to COVID-19.
  • BeSafeOnline is the Government’s campaign to highlight ways to help you stay safe online. This webpage provides access to a wide range of Online Safety resources, to support online safety for all.
Added on April 15th, 2020

#ImagineNation

Free Playbook

An Post partnered with Children’s Books Ireland to launch the ‘ImagineNation’ playbook, encouraging kids across Ireland to get creative during the COVID-19 alert.

Top artists like the legendary Don Conroy, Niall Breslin, Sarah Crossan, Sheena Dempsey and many more have all contributed to the 24-page book, filled with activities including drawing, writing and mindfulness exercises.
Download the playbook here.

Added on April 15th, 2020

COVID-19 Resources

What To Do If You Are Concerned & Supporting Children and Teenagers

Download the leaflets from the HSE Heads of Psychology below here.
Added on April 15th, 2020

Parenting Your Teenager During COVID-19

Planet Youth will be running online workshops on the 23rd, 28th, and 30th of April titled Parenting Your Teenager During Covid19. Gina Dowd, Adolescent Psychotherapist will be discussing feedback for parents with host Liam Horan. Find more here.