Given the significant volume of evidence that has been produced and published, this report draws on the work of the Centre for Effective Services, in particular, the On the Right Track project 6 and National Evaluation of the Area Based Childhood Programme7 . As with the other papers in this series, the basic structure of this paper is one that examines the rationale for public policy intervention, the public resources provided, the services delivered and the results achieved. This paper begins by looking at the rationale for policy interventions that are aimed at supporting children, young people and their parents. In particular, it focuses on outcomes related to parenting, child behaviour and children’s learning. The paper then provides a brief overview of Exchequer expenditure to provide services in this policy area. The paper then outlines the main programmes that were supported by PEII / PEIP. Finally, the paper provides a summary outline of the statistically significant impacts of these programmes. This paper is one of a series of descriptive reports that taken together will inform a thematic consideration of prevention and early interventions in Ireland.