Ms Mary Cunningham:

There was a structure previously, which is provided for in legislation, namely the National Youth Work Advisory Committee. It involved representatives from the voluntary youth sector and officials and representatives from what were then the VECs, from FÁS and from other agencies. It worked. It was very focused. The development plan for youth work in Ireland came out of it, as did child protection guidelines and the national quality standards framework. There was an effective body in place. There were robust conversations, which is a really healthy thing. It was stood down and nothing has replaced it. There is provision in this strategy for what is called a reference group but we have not seen any draft terms of reference and the sector has not been involved in informing what those draft terms of reference might be.