Tipperary Town: Children & Families Services Systems

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Tipperary Town faces gaps in vital supports for children, young people, and families 

This report highlights major shortfalls in public services, with disadvantage in the town exceeding county and national levels. Drawing on Census data and local consultation, it identifies urgent gaps in mental health, addiction, childcare, and disability services—worsened by long waits, poor transport, and fragmented provision. Given these conditions, the report calls for targeted investment in services, infrastructure, and inclusion to build a more accessible and coordinated system. 

Unique profile, unique needs 

Tipperary Town has a higher proportion of non-Irish nationals, and ethnic minorities, including Irish Travellers, with greater language diversity than the wider county or country. The town also faces higher levels of unemployment, disability, early school leaving, and social housing, alongside fewer homeowners and more manual workers. 

Family structures differ too, with single-parent households making up 40% of families with children—well above the national average. 

This unique mix shapes a distinct service environment, requiring responses that are stronger, more flexible, coordinated, and sensitive to the town’s diverse and complex needs. 

Key Findings 

1. Access to health services is a major challenge: Long wait times and inflexible service pathways often delay critical assessments and interventions for children and young people. 
2. Transport options are limited: Inadequate public transport and school bus shortages restrict access to education and daily activities, sometimes forcing parents to leave jobs. 
3. Service fragmentation creates barriers: Poor coordination complicates referrals, causing delays, confusion, and gaps in care. 
4. Capacity falls short of demand: Despite good quality care, staffing shortages and limited resources mean services cannot meet the level of need. 
5. Facilities are often inaccessible: Financial constraints, restrictive eligibility rules, and limited operating hours prevent many families from benefitting fully from available supports. 

Recommendations 

At the heart of this project was a commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and listening to diverse perspectives – TASC ensured that the community’s voice guided both the vision and the detail of these recommendations: 

State Level / Policy 

1. Advocate for more adaptable and sustained investment in local services 
2. Launch school transport schemes and breakfast initiatives to ensure all children can get to school and start their day with a nutritious meal 
3. Back peer support networks for parents that provide practical and emotional support  
4. Expand access to mental and physical healthcare to ensure families can get the care they need, when they need it 
5. Tackle staff shortages in essential services by prioritising recruitment and retention in key sectors 
6. Streamline support for families on waitlists to reduce delays and improve outcomes for families in need 
7. Co-ordinate child and family services by adopting a holistic, cross-sector approach to supporting children and families  
8. Invest in youth programmes and life skills training to prepare young people for the future 
9. Enable flexible funding for local needs by designing funding models that allow services to respond quickly and effectively 
10. Push for national solutions to rural towns to address the unique needs of towns like Tipperary 

Local Level 

1. Create welcoming spaces for young people by designing inclusive environments where youth feel safe, valued, and heard 
2. Expand youth activities and programmes by offering a mix of sports, arts, and social activities to suit all interests 
3. Improve access to local health and mental health supports by prioritising availability and approachability 
4. Coordinate community events and activities by devising a shared events calendar 
5. Invest in flexible, multi-purpose community spaces by supporting venues that can host everything from youth clubs to public events 
6. Enhance local transport links, particularly in rural areas 
7. Support young parents with health and wellbeing services by offering targeted resources to help young families thrive 
8. Encourage greater community involvement to strengthen civic participation 

This report was commissioned by Youth Work Ireland Tipperary and Tipperary Town Revitalisation.