477. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the pilot programme for supporting parents of children in care. [40199/24]

Tusla’s Strategic Plan for Foster Care Services for Children and Young People 2022 – 2025 forms part of Tusla’s overall Alternative Care Strategy across the continuum of care. The implementation plan for this strategy and regular progress updates are shared with my Department.

As you are aware, the strategic plan sets out various recommendations to strengthen support to birth parents of children and young people in care. This includes the recommendation to support and fund independent research into the design and piloting of an advocacy service for parents whose children are in the care of the state.

On the 2nd of October 2024, Tusla provided an update on the pilot programme. This stated that the Parental Advocacy and Information Service, launched in 2022, is a newly established initiative funded by Tusla and delivered by Barnardos with oversight from the Children’s Rights Alliance. Advocates from the service are currently available in two pilot regions: Dublin North City and Waterford/Wexford. The primary goal of the service is to empower parents to actively engage in child protection and court proceedings concerning their children.

Tusla has informed that the service has supported over 200 parents through a variety of activities, such as face-to-face meetings and accompanying them to various appointments and events as follows:

• Child Protection Conferences

• Family Welfare Conferences

• Meetings with their children’s social worker

• GAL meetings

• Child in Care reviews

• Access reviews

• Safety network meetings

• Pre-court and post-court meetings

• Court proceedings

• Pre-birth meetings

• Reunification meetings

Tusla has further informed that the service is provided in close collaboration with Tusla staff, legal professionals, and other organisations. As the service has evolved there has been a significant increase in referrals, and advocacy activities. Notably, more advocates are attending child protection conferences, indicating that parents are referring or being referred to the service earlier in care proceedings.

The Informational component of the service is available through a website, www.barnardos.ie/parental-advocacy-information-service/ , helpline, leaflets, tip sheets, webinars, workshops, and through social media channels.