Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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728. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the work of the Child and Family Agency to support parents to adopt positive parenting practices with the aim of eliminating corporal punishment here; the number of positive parenting programmes that are being provided to this aim throughout the State through family resource centres or other agencies; if an audit has been carried out or other data collected on the quality, effectiveness and accessibility of positive parenting programmes around the State; and the manner in which information on positive parenting programmes is being disseminated to parents to encourage uptake. [33590/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Child and Family Agency has a Parenting Support Strategy (PSS) in place. This strategy gives a mandate for the commissioning of evidence based parenting support programmes in all 17 local areas. The Agency funds a range of parenting support services including Parenting Programmes, Parent and Toddler services, Springboard Projects, Parentline, Marte Meo model,Lone Parent Services and Treoir, Teen Parent Support Programmes through various entities including the large network of Family Resource Centres. In 2013, Family Resource Centres facilitated almost 140 positive parenting programmes. Many of theses programmes have been evaluated.

The theme of Positive Parenting is specifically addressed in many evidence based parenting programmes. Supporting children’s self-discipline and behaviour with a ‘learning’ strategy rather than a ‘punishment’ strategy is strongly and effectively advocated by many Parenting Support Programmes (for example the Lifestart Growing Child Programme, a home-based programme for parents of children aged from birth to five years).

The Agency has also launched a "50 Key Messages" document as part of the Parenting Support Strategy which is an evidence informed guide for parents and practitioners of key messages that are important for raising children well. Central to this are 31 key messages that deal with parenting of children across the lifecourse - from ‘preparing for parenthood’ through to parenting teenagers. One of the key messages is that ‘a Positive Parenting Style Works’. The Agency is currently incorporating these 31 key messages into a user-friendly branded section () of its website which will be launched shortly. This will be followed up by a number of related initiatives including practitioner and parent training, parental participation projects and the recruitment of parenting support champions. These initiatives will be monitored and evaluated along with other family support work.

Parenting Support can be formal, semi-formal or informal. Parents are made aware of the courses provided in FRCs through various means including local advertising, newsletters, leaflet drops and word of mouth. Some may be identified through their attendance at other services and activities provided within an FRC or through referrals from other support services.The Child and Family Agency website www.tusla.ie also information for parents with regard to positive parenting .

Central to the Child and Family Agency's understanding of positive parenting is the importance of a positive approach in the day to day care and education of our children. The style of parenting that is used is important and has a significant impact on children’s development, how they feel about themselves and the world around them. It can be as important to their long-term well-being as nutrition and physical exercise. Research indicates that adopting a positive parenting style results in children being happier, healthier, enjoying their learning and being able to make friends.

Supports for parents around ‘Parenting Positively’ are part of an integrated approach to improving children and family well-being and improving outcomes. Supporting parents is recognised as a key element of this collective work and described as a ‘transformational goal’ in the recently published National Policy Framework for Children and Young People. The evidence indicates that a "Positive Parenting Style" works and is linked to improving outcomes for children.