Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a short-list or final selection has been reached in the context of the already announced extension of the successful Prevention and Early Intervention Programme's area-based initiatives at Tallaght, Ballymun and Darndale; if the new project sites will also be in Dublin or will include locations outside the capital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17267/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Area-Based Approach to Child Poverty Initiative was allocated €2.5m in Budget 2013. The amount allocated will rise to €4.75 in 2015. It is envisaged that this Initiative will be co-funded by a philanthropic partner and discussions are ongoing to this end. A Project Team, which is chaired by my Department and includes officials from a number of key Government departments and agencies, was established in February of this year to progress the Initiative.

The new Initiative will build on and continue the work of the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme (PEIP). The PEIP involved a range of pilot programmes to improve outcomes in areas such as literacy, speech and language, parenting, health and pro-social behaviour. These programmes are currently being evaluated by national and international experts. The three PEIP sites are expected to participate in the new Area Based Approach to Child Poverty Initiative later this year along with at least 3 further sites.

The new Initiative reflects the Programme for Government commitment to adopt an area-based approach to child poverty in co-operation with philanthropic partners, drawing upon best international practice and existing services, to break the cycle of child poverty where it is most deeply entrenched and improve the outcomes for children and young people where these are currently significantly poorer than they are for children and young people living elsewhere in the State.

The Initiative will consist of the following components: continuation of interventions, where appropriate, in the 3 existing PEIP sites, subject to those programmes being supported by positive evaluations and evidence; selection of at least 6 sites (including as appropriate existing PEIP sites), where multifaceted approaches to addressing Child Outcomes via evidence based programmes will be implemented. The impact of these interventions will be monitored in a cost-effective manner, to ensure they have the intended outcomes on child well-being. In time, the mainstreaming of proven, cost-effective evidence-based programmes into service delivery in a wider context than the areas specifically participating in the Area-Based initiative.

I understand that comprehensive details and guidance in relation to the application process will e available from my Department from the end of this week. In addition, my Department will hold an Information Seminar on 25 April next to provide further guidance and information to applicants. The closing date for the receipt of applications will be 31 May 2013.