Written answers
Wednesday, 12 July 2023
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Departmental Programmes
Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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223. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of programmes, and their purpose, operated by his Department with ESF support in place during 2023; the prospects of additional programmes in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34595/23]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Please see below a table outlining the programmes run by my Department with ESF funding, a description of their purpose and whether they will continue in 2024.
A second table is also included below outlining additional programmes which will include ESF funding in 2024.
I trust this information is helpful.
Name of ESF funded programme | Purpose of programme | Will this programme continue in 2024? |
|---|---|---|
| Expansion of the Young Parents Support Programme | The ESF+ project seeks to provide universal access to a Teen Parent Support Programme for all young parents in Ireland and make the service available to all parents up to the age of 25 (currently this service is only available to those aged up to 20 years of age).The main aim of the programme is to provide early interventions, which are needs-led and outcome focused, to enhance and support the well-being of all young parents and their children, empower young parents in their parenting role and ensure equality of opportunity for parent and child. Teen parents with higher needs are also supported with specific additional interventions (such as support with parenting skills or independent living) as part of an interagency approach to family support.The Teen Parents Support Programme currently works with young people who become parents when they are aged 19 years or under and, where needed, supports them until their children are two years of age. This programme, provides young parents with a dedicated support worker during pregnancy and through the first two years of their child’s life. The programme is currently available in 12 locations in Ireland and works with one third of all parents under the age of 20. Where resources allow, the TPSP also supports a small number of young parents in their early twenties who have high levels of need.Support is offered in all areas of the young person’s life – parenting, health, relationships, education, training, childcare, housing, social welfare entitlements, legal issues and anything else about which the young person is concerned. Grandparents and other family members involved with the young parents may also be supported.Young people may make contact directly with the Teen Parents Support Programme. Referrals are also made by professionals and anyone interested in the welfare of the young parent and his/her child. Referrals come from a wide variety of sources such as Tusla social workers, Tusla aftercare workers, schools, public health nurses and youth organisations – as well as self-referrals. A unique feature of the programme is that it supports young women while they are still pregnant and when most of them have no engagement with other social services. Over half of all referrals to the programme comes from maternity services. | Yes |
| Recruitment of x 17 Family Support Practitioner posts nationally to provide support to families living in IPAS accommodation | The purpose of this programme is to recruit a Family Support Practitioners in each Tusla Areas to support families living in International Protection Accommodation Services. These support workers will provide Family Support consisting of parenting support, delivering individualised parenting programmes, a Family Support Clinic, Youth Groups, family support along with the Family Resource Centre in the community for family integration and social supports. Representatives from IPAS sit on the Steering Group for this project and provide regular up to date data on number and locations of children and families in IPAS Accommodation centres. | Yes |
| Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (‘PEIL’) | Gender Equality (Call for Proposals in 2019) | No |
| Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (‘EIST’) | Integration and Employment of Migrants (2022 Call for Proposals) | Yes |
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