Paul Connaughton
Question:94 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the support planned and in place to support positive parenting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29059/03]
Vol. 576 No. 1
94 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the support planned and in place to support positive parenting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29059/03]
Strengthening families and the promotion of continuity and stability in family life, the welfare of children and support and affirmation for parents in carrying out their important child rearing responsibilities are core features of the Government's pro-families policy approach. The importance of accessible information about parenting issues and child development to strengthen the capacity of families in carrying out their essential functions of caring for children was highlighted by the commission on the family. Under my Department's families research programme a research project entitled Effective Parenting – An Exploration of Need was commissioned. The study involved 1,000 parents and 200 children and provides a comprehensive report of parents' perspectives on their parenting role and the support available to them within their own family network, in their community and through family support services. The report recommends that the Family Support Agency would have specific responsibility to provide appropriate general and targeted information on parenting issues.