The Parenting Support Policy Unit (PSPU) has announced that 42 projects have been awarded funding under the 2024/25 Parent Peer Support Fund. Each successful project will receive grants of either €2,000 or €5,000, to support the development and promotion of various parent peer support initiatives across the country throughout 2025.
This fund is part of the Supporting Parents, A National Model of Parenting Support Services, which seeks to ensure that all parents are confident and capable in their parenting role, helping to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.
Research suggests, parents and those in a parenting role, are more comfortable seeking support from their peers. Parent peer support initiatives promote healthy parenting skills, an increased sense of empowerment and a feeling of belonging. Parent peer support initiatives are particularly helpful for parents of children and young people who are coping with anxiety, depression or other mental health issues and for parents of children with complex care needs.
This year, the total value of the fund increased from €75,000 to €100,000 and a new tier of enhanced funding was introduced. This new tier of funding provides 5 grants of €5,000 to support the expansion of established parent peer support initiatives, which have been proven to have a positive impact for parents and carers.
Common themes emerging from this year’s successful applicants cover areas such as, peer support for single parents, breast feeding, parents experiencing domestic violence and initiatives for parents of children with additional support needs.
Details of future funding initiatives under the National Model of Parenting Support Services, will be communicated via DCEDIY social media channels.
Successful projects
| Service Name | County | Funding Received | |
| 1. | Abbeydorney/Kilflynn Family Resource Centre | Kerry | €2,000 |
| 2. | Archways – Blue Skys Initiative ABC | Dublin | €2,000 |
| 3. | Ballinamore Area Community Council CLG | Leitrim | €2,000 |
| 4. | Ballinderreen Community Centre | Galway | €2,000 |
| 5. | Ballymote Family Resource Centre | Sligo | €2,000 |
| 6. | Bridgeways Family Resource Centre | Longford | €2,000 |
| 7. | Bud’s Ballyduff Community and Family Forum CLG | Kerry | €2,000 |
| 8. | Chronic Health Advocate CLG | Waterford | €2,000 |
| 9. | Cobh YMCA PAKT (Parents and Kids Together) | Cork | €2,000 |
| 10. | Cumann Baire Setanta | Dublin | €2,000 |
| 11. | Dóchas Midwest Autism Support | Limerick | €2,000 |
| 12. | Dolphin House Community Development Association (DHCDA) | Dublin | €2,000 |
| 13. | Down Syndrome Limerick | Limerick | €2,000 |
| 14. | Erris Family and Community Support Centre | Mayo | €2,000 |
| 15. | Fatima Family Support and Therapy Service | Dublin | €5,000 |
| 16. | Gorey Family Resource Centre | Wexford | €2,000 |
| 17. | Greywood Arts CLG | Cork | €2,000 |
| 18. | Hospital Family Resource Centre | Limerick | €2,000 |
| 19. | HSCLC (Home School Community Liaison Coordinators), Tralee DEIS Schools Parent Support Network | Kerry | €5,000 |
| 20. | HSE Roisin Sullivan Lactation Consultant | Dublin | €2,000 |
| 21. | HUGHIES CORNER _ Children and Young People Counselling and Support Service | Donegal | €2,000 |
| 22. | IRD Duhallow CLG | Cork | €2,000 |
| 23. | Kilkenny One Parent Community | Kilkenny | €5,000 |
| 24. | La Leche League Blanchardstown and Castleknock | Dublin | €2,000 |
| 25. | Laois Domestic Abuse Service | Laois | €2,000 |
| 26. | Little Butterflies Arch Club and Autism Parent Peer Group | Dublin | €2,000 |
| 27. | Longford Community Resources CLG, Longford Roma and New Communities CDP | Longford | €2,000 |
| 28. | Mabuhay ECDS | Meath | €2,000 |
| 29. | Muscular Dystrophy Ireland | Dublin | €2,000 |
| 30. | Music Network | Dublin | €2,000 |
| 31. | Neurodiversity Ireland | Dublin | €2,000 |
| 32. | Newport Parent Peer Support Group for those whose children have additional educational needs | Tipperary | €2,000 |
| 33. | Purple House Cancer Support | Wicklow | €2,000 |
| 34. | Southill Family Resource Centre | Limerick | €5,000 |
| 35. | The Anne Sullivan Foundation | Dublin | €2,000 |
| 36. | Trim Family Resource Centre Parent Support Group | Meath | €2,000 |
| 37. | Vision Community Support Services (VCSS) | Cork | €2,000 |
| 38. | Wexford Parents Hub – Barnardos | Wexford | €5,000 |
| 39. | Williams Syndrome Ireland | Dublin | €2,000 |
| 40. | YMCA Dublin | Dublin | €2,000 |
| 41. | Youghal Family Resource Initiative – Barnardos | Cork | €2,000 |
| 42. | Youngballymun | Dublin | €2,000 |
Supporting Parents
Supporting Parents: A National Model of Parenting Support Services was developed in accordance with a commitment in First 5, a whole of government strategy for babies, young children and their families 2019-2028. The model was developed by a collaborative working group led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), with input from a wide range of stakeholders from across government departments, agencies and community and voluntary organisations.
The Parent Peer Support Fund builds on commitments set out within Supporting Parents, through the provision of funding for the enhancement and promotion of supports to assist parents. Applications for the 2024/25 Parent Support Fund were open from 30 September to 29 October 2024, with a total of €100,000 being distributed among 42 organisations.
The Parent Peer Support Fund has been in operation since 2023 and provides grants of €2,000 to community, voluntary and statutory organisations who operate parent peer support activities. The scope of the fund was expanded this year with the introduction of an enhanced tier of funding, which provided grants of €5,000 to support the further development of previously established parent peer support initiatives.
Queries can be directed to the Parenting Support Policy Unit by email to: parentingsupport@equality.gov.ie
