Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left)
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25. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the provisions he has put in place to ensure parents have access to proven parenting courses in their local area. [27316/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency funds 108 Family Resource Centres in local communities around Ireland as part of the Family and Community Services Resource Centre programme. The aim of the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. The focus is on strengthening the family’s capacity to provide a nurturing environment for all family members while intervening to address any presenting problems.

The services provided to families include parenting courses and are provided by many of the Family Resource Centres nationwide.

The parenting courses provided include: Strengthening Families Programmes; Incredible Years Programme; Community Mothers Programme; Common Sense Parenting Programme; Early Childhood Studies; Positive Parenting Programme (Triple P)' Living with Teens.

Parenting Support can be formal, semi-formal or informal. Parents are made aware of the courses provided in Family Resource Centres 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 a Family Resource Centre or through referrals from other support services. The Child and Family Agency website www.tusla.ie also provides information for parents with regard to positive parenting and other parenting courses.