Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2015
282. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will commit to prevention and early intervention for childhood issues (details supplied); if he will provide details regarding the tested programmes that will strengthen childhood matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17808/15]
View answerThe Child and Family Agency’s extensive programme of early intervention and preventative work, i.e. the Prevention, Participation and Family Support (PPFS) programme, which builds on the change of emphasis in the development of child welfare and protection services over recent years, was formally launched on 13th April, 2015. The programme constitutes a potentially significant step in achieving the policy objective of moving closer to a position where an enhanced focus of services is on prevention and early intervention rather than crisis management. This was a key rationale for the Government's establishment of the Child and Family Agency at the beginning of 2014 and is clearly reflected in the statutory responsibilities the Agency has been assigned.
On that same date I published the national High Level Policy Statement on Supporting Parents and Families (Parenting and Family Support). This is the first of a number of strategies to flow from Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The national policy framework for children and young people 2014 – 2020; others to follow will relate to Early Years; Youth; and Children’s & Young Persons’ Participation in Decision-making.
The Statement, which is available on my Departments website (www.dcya.ie) promotes 29 high-level policy messages intended to shape and guide ongoing change and future developments in the area. The policy orientation is very much geared towards developing the prevention and early intervention capability at the services level.
In relation to the request for information about particular programmes, I would direct the Deputy to the Agency’s website (www.Tusla.ie ) where there is a range and variety of resource materials available in that regard. The documentation provided under the publications section of the website includes “What Works in Family Support” which provides an extensive overview of evidence based family support practices and programmes for children and families.
