Initially, 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.