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Child Poverty

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Questions (102)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

102. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the recent funding awarded under Budget 2013 to the Preparing for Life Programme in Belcamp, Moatview and Darndale, Dublin 17; the amount of funding that has been awarded to the programme each year until 2015; the projects that will be prioritised; the number of children eligible to participate in the programme in future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56648/12]

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Written answers

I welcome the new ‘Area Based Approach to Child Poverty’ initiative for which €2.5 million has been provided for in the 2013 Estimates. This investment supports a key Programme for Government objective and demonstrates this Government’s commitment to early intervention to support childhood development and tackle child poverty. I know that early intervention improves life chances for children and families. This is even truer in communities with high levels of disadvantage and joblessness. This new initiative will draw upon existing community strengths and efforts already underway.

This initiative will build on and continue the work of the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme (PEIP) which supports projects in Tallaght, Ballymun and Darndale. These projects involve a range of pilot programmes to improve outcomes in areas such as literacy, speech and language, parenting, health and pro-social behaviour. These programmes are currently being evaluated by national and international experts. I believe that it is important that we mainstream the learning from these pilot projects so that proven and effective supports for children and families could be delivered right through the country, including through the range of services to be provided by the new Child & Family Support Agency.

The new initiative reflects the Programme for Government commitment to adopt an area based approach to child poverty in co-operation with philanthropic partners, drawing upon best international practice and existing services, to break the cycle of child poverty where it is most deeply entrenched. In line with this commitment, my Department in conjunction with the Office of the Tanáiste and the Departments of Social Protection, Environment, Community and Local Government, and Education and Skills will work in 2013 to expand the number of project sites from 3 to 6. The new initiative will not simply be a continuation of the PEIP scheme but will instead seek to implement programmes which have already been evaluated and proven to work in improving outcomes for children and families at risk of disadvantage,

It is envisaged that this initiative will be co-funded by a philanthropic organisation and discussions are ongoing to this end. It will not be possible in advance of the completion of these talks to know the final total funding levels including the co-funding component.

It is anticipated that discussions will be held with the organisation referred to in the Question in the early part of 2013, regarding funding and services to be delivered as part of this Initiative.

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