About the Teen Parents Support Programme
The Teen Parents Support Programme is the only targeted community-based support service for teen parents - mothers and fathers - in Ireland.
We work mainly with young people who become parents when they are aged 19 years or under and support them until their children are 2 years of age. Some parents who are older than this may also be supported depending on their circumstances.
The TPSP is currently available at 11 locations throughout the country.
Young people may make contact directly with the TPSP or anyone interested in the welfare of the young parent and his/her child may make contact on their behalf.
TPSP staff actively seeks to engage with young fathers and encourage and support them to be involved in the lives of their children.
They also provides support to grandparents and other family members who play a role in the life of the young parent.
These support services are funded by both Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and the HSE.
They are free and confidential.
We work mainly with young people who become parents when they are aged 19 years or under and support them until their children are 2 years of age. Some parents who are older than this may also be supported depending on their circumstances.
The TPSP is currently available at 11 locations throughout the country.
Young people may make contact directly with the TPSP or anyone interested in the welfare of the young parent and his/her child may make contact on their behalf.
TPSP staff actively seeks to engage with young fathers and encourage and support them to be involved in the lives of their children.
They also provides support to grandparents and other family members who play a role in the life of the young parent.
These support services are funded by both Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and the HSE.
They are free and confidential.
The TPSP was originally established in 2000 by the Department of Health and Children, in recognition of the fact that young parents and their children benefit from additional supports targeted at their specific needs.
Between 2000 and 2022 the TPSP supported a total of 8,995 young parents, their children, partners and families. At any one time the TPSP supports approximately one third of all teen parents in Ireland. One of the aspirations of the TPSP is that eventually all teen parents in Ireland will have access to this service.
The TPSP NAC and the National TPSP manager have worked towards expansion in recent years. Following developments in 2022, the TPSP will now be further developed and expanded with funding from the European Social Fund Plus programme, co-funded by the exchequer and the European Union, following growing recognition of the increased need for this level of dedicated support for young parents. The overall objective and goal is that every young parent in the Republic of Ireland will have access to a TPSP locally.
Between 2000 and 2022 the TPSP supported a total of 8,995 young parents, their children, partners and families. At any one time the TPSP supports approximately one third of all teen parents in Ireland. One of the aspirations of the TPSP is that eventually all teen parents in Ireland will have access to this service.
The TPSP NAC and the National TPSP manager have worked towards expansion in recent years. Following developments in 2022, the TPSP will now be further developed and expanded with funding from the European Social Fund Plus programme, co-funded by the exchequer and the European Union, following growing recognition of the increased need for this level of dedicated support for young parents. The overall objective and goal is that every young parent in the Republic of Ireland will have access to a TPSP locally.
Download THE TPSP OPERATING MODEL.PDF (334 Kb, 09 Apr 2020)
Access is the right of a child and a parent and/or guardian who do not live together to spend time together.
Custody is having the day-to-day care of a child.
Custody is having the day-to-day care of a child.
Download EXPLAINING ACCESS AND CUSTODY.PDF (1,063 Kb, 03 Mar 2022)