Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2013
227. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered the contents of a study (details supplied); if she will be recommending the inclusion of an early years programme for parents and teachers similar to that outlined in the study, particularly in the context of children who are at risk of being taken into the care of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17936/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Prevention and Early Intervention Programme (PEIP) is co-funded by the Department and Atlantic Philanthropies (AP) to examine innovative and integrated ways to improve outcomes for children. PEIP 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.
The new Area Based Approach to Child Poverty Initiative will be introduced by my Department later this year. This initiative was announced in December 2012 and is intended to build on and continue the work of the PEIP. It has an Exchequer funding allocation of €2.5m in Budget 2013 which is expected to rise to €4.75m by 2015. At least 6 sites are expected to participate in the new programme.
The 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 and improve the outcomes for children and young people where these are currently significantly poorer than they are for children and young people living elsewhere in the State. Sites will be required to implement programmes which have been shown by rigorous research to have a positive impact on the lives of children and which are appropriate to meeting needs identified in their communities.
I am aware of the study referred to by the Deputy. Incredible Years BASIC Preschool/Early School Parent Training Programme was developed with the aim of training parents to support their children’s social and emotional development. Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management programme was developed with the aim of training and supporting teachers in classroom management techniques.
Incredible Years is one of a number of evidence-based programmes that have been modelled in Ireland. Its evaluation demonstrated that the programme significantly improved parenting skills, and reduced conduct problems of young children. In schools, the programme was found to improve teachers' classroom management and fewer child behavioural difficulties. Such programmes may be considered, as part of applications under the initiative. An information seminar on the process and and initiative will be held next week, at which the process will be explained in detail to potential applicants.
