BBC News Northern Ireland

Alex Easton of the DUP asks about the increase in reports of domestic abuse cases and wants to know if that is having a "knock on effect in terms of foster care" and the number of foster carers available.

Fostering Network NI's Kathleen Toner says the needs of children brought into care are "an absolute priority".

She adds that it is unknown how many more children might come into care but welcomes the fact that the department is publishing weekly figures on this matter.

While there has been an increase in domestic abuse, she says children are brought into care "for a wide variety of reasons".

NI Assembly

In the past, she says, it was a struggle to recruit foster carers, but "over this last period, and particularly the pandemic, we have seen more people coming forward".

She reassures the member that there aren't children who aren't being placed because there aren’t enough foster carers.

Michelle James, the head of Barnardo's NI, says while she recognises the current challenges the “needs, rights and voice of the child must be central to any changes” to the regulations.

The pandemic has “presented a challenge like no other in Barnardo's history” as it has had an "impact on every service we deliver and every age group".

She says the organisation is working "to support families and alleviate challenges where possible".

She says of the issue of safeguarding that "we are very concerned" that child protection issues "are not being identified" during the pandemic.

Ms James says "we're worried that more families are being pushed into crisis and that places vulnerable children in danger".

She adds there have been increased calls to police about domestic abuse and talks of the increased "online traffic" during the lockdown, which she says "may lead to an increase of online harm, including grooming and sexual exploitation".

The Barnardo's representative says they understand and support the systems in place to protect against coronavirus, but says there also need for protection of the most vulnerable in society.

NI Assembly

Ms James turns to the issue of "digital poverty" something she says the pandemic has highlighted, and something her organisation is working on.

In terms of mental health and well-being of children and young people, Ms James says a recent Barnardo's survey highlighted concerns of young people around "isolation and loneliness".

"We need to recognise the increased pressure on parents," she tells the committee, before concluding that there is a "real risk we will see long term impact on child mental health" as a result of the pandemic.