Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
104 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of teen parents support initiative projects being supported by her Department; the location of these projects; the effectiveness of these projects; her plans to extend such projects to other areas in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30741/04]
View answerInitially, the teen parents support initiative, TPSI, established three teen pilot projects in Dublin, Galway and Limerick. Following a positive evaluation of the three year pilot programme, it was mainstreamed in 2002 by the relevant health boards. To date, five programmes have been established and based in Limerick, Galway, Dublin West, Dublin North and Louth. The last two projects, based in the North Eastern Health Board and the Northern Area Health Board, were established in 2004 by the Department of Health and Children with funding by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, or CPA. The projects were established as part of a planned phased expansion of the TPSI to each health board area.
Annually, the national TPSI programme supports approximately 450 young parents aged 19 years and under to overcome the many obstacles they face in their lives. Additional support services are provided during pregnancy and until a child reaches two years.
105 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the family support review consisting of a census of family support services here promoting the well-being of families and children and a definition of family support, a statement of strategic intent and principle, were begun; when she expects these reviews to be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30742/04]
View answerA review of family support services was commenced in 2003 to inform the planning process over the next seven to ten years. A steering group which included representatives from my Department and the health boards was established to manage the review process and appointed a consultative forum representative of the major stakeholders in family support to advise it. The consultative forum comprises representatives from various sectors and bodies including the National Children's Office, relevant Departments, the voluntary sector and service users. The steering group will report to me in December of this year and the strategy will be launched shortly thereafter.
