Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Dear Deputy,

The Department does not collect information on participation levels in programmes in disadvantaged areas.

Tusla delivers a number of parenting support programmes directly to babies, children and families as well as through a number of commissioned services. Tusla together with DCEDIY is continuously working to strengthen the engagement of parents in support as needed. The strategic planning, coordination and delivery of services are supported by CFSN’s and CYPSC structures.

These include:

• Tusla ABC Programme; The ABC programme operates in twelve areas of high social disadvantage. They deliver a suite of programmes supporting Parents, primarily from pre-birth to age 6. This includes home-visiting services, Infant & Early Child Mental Health supports and baby massage. Individual and group-based parenting programmes are also delivered including Circle of Security, Newborn Behavioural Observational programme, Incredible Years and Parents Plus.
• Community Families; a Parent Support Home Visiting Programme under the governance of HSE and Tusla.
• Community and Voluntary Partners; a number of Tusla commissioned services deliver supports to parents living in areas of disadvantage including Family Resource Centres, Lifestart and Barnardo’s.
• CFSNs; The CFSN’s take a localised area-based approach working with key partners in ensuring an integrated, cohesive and consistent approach to working with children and families. The local CFSNs consist of all services that play a role in the lives of children and families in each area. This includes local statutory children and families service providers (e.g., psychology, public health nurses, social work, justice, education and welfare) and local voluntary and community children and families’ services (Family Support Centres, agencies currently funded through the HSE/CFSA children and families services & organisations funded through other sources e.g., Pobal, Department of Education).
• CYPSC; Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) are county-level committees that bring together the main statutory, community and voluntary providers of services to children and young people. They provide a forum for joint planning and co-ordination of activity to ensure that children, young people and their families receive improved and accessible services. Their role is to enhance interagency co-operation.

With regard to strengthening and expanding services, there is currently a plan underway to expand the Teen Parent Support Programme to the Young Parents Support Programme, which will deliver services to young parents and young expectant parents in disadvantaged areas. Also there is a review underway of Home Visiting Services nationally which aims to inform a national approach to home visiting services for families with babies and young children as part of a commitment in First 5, an all of government approach strategy for children.