Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I disagree with the Deputy's assertion that not much was done in the past year. The Youth Work Act and the development plan have been worked on in consultation with those involved in youth work. NYWAC is established to advise the Minister of the day. Priorities in rolling out this work are discussed through that body. The consultations with NYWAC have highlighted areas such as the targets, development and expansion of special projects for youth schemes, which have increased each year. Child protection is of extreme importance and we have supported the NYCI in this regard.

The committee of professional endorsement of youth work is another provision, which is extremely important for those working in that area. In January, I launched the endorsement of youth work with my counterpart in the North. It is most important that this endorsement procedure should exist rather than needing to look to other places such as Wales and England for such endorsement. The development fund was also established, which is very important. Some €300,000 was given to this fund in 2005 and the funding for 2006 will be similar. This decision will not be taken in isolation by me and the Department. It will be taken in consultation with youth work interests, which is how we have proceeded all along.

New structures have been agreed with the IVEA to include a number of youth workers throughout the country through the VEC system. The national youth work development unit was established in NUI Maynooth. Dr. Maurice Devlin will work in that important research unit and we will rely on such skill, knowledge and expertise. The unit will have a very positive knock-on effect for a further 18 actions of the plan. The youth assessor position was advertised in December and we will be in a position to announce the successful candidate very soon.

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