€2m delivered to support children and parents through early intervention in Dublin Central – Donohoe

Fine Gael Dublin Central Deputy and Minister of State at the Department of An Taoiseach, Paschal Donohoe, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the inclusion of two areas in Dublin Central in the Area-Based Childhood (ABC) Programme 2013-2016 saying that the funding that is being delivered will improve outcomes for children and support parents in bringing up their children.

“The ABC Programme focuses on early intervention programmes designed to aid the development of children and assist parents by giving them the tools to cope with the stresses associated with rearing children. The Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald TD, has announced the addition of nine areas to the Programme, among them Grangegorman and Dublin Docklands & East Inner City.

“Grangegorman; Vision Beyond Poverty is in line to receive €762,000 which will help to implement and deliver a range of evidence-based programmes and self-designed interventions targeted at supporting parents and helping communities to develop to their full potential.

“The Dublin Docklands & East Inner City will receive €1.2 million which will allow it to focus on parenting programmes, strengthening families, community mother programmes and educational initiatives, including Síolta, ELI’s Educational Guidance Programme and CDI Early Years.

“Delivering the ABC Programme in up to ten areas was a commitment contained in the Programme for Government. This announcement by Minister Fitzgerald will see that number hopefully reaching 13, which demonstrates this Government’s commitment to the development of our children’s welfare.

“By putting the programmes in place to support parents in the challenging, but rewarding, task of parenting, we can help them to best identify the onset of emotional or behavioural problems and to communicate better with their children so that we can avoid bigger problems down the line and improve the outcomes for children; educationally, socially, physically and emotionally.

“Minister Fitzgerald is to be commended for her work in delivering this funding to the areas identified. I know it will be welcomed in Dublin Central and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on Grangegorman and Dublin Docklands & East Inner City.”