Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

532. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the parenting unit that is to be established within her Department; the date by which this unit will be established; and the amount of funding that will be allocated to it. [48947/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs 2015 High Level Policy on Parenting and Family Support highlighted the critical importance of parenting on children’s lives in influencing social, emotional, and physical outcomes. While explicit support for parents has been reflected across Irish Government policy for decades, the increasing focus on parenting has developed in a somewhat fragmented way across Government Departments and State Agencies.

The Department established a dedicated Parenting Support Policy Unit on November 5^thto lead the important work of co-ordinating policy direction and activity throughout the sector, as well as mapping, streamlining and advancing existing supports. As the work of the unit will be focused on co-ordination and collaboration across Government and State Agencies, the unit does not currently require a specific funding allocation.