Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

My Department is involved in ongoing and productive dialogue with the youth sector through the National Youth Work Advisory Committee, NYWAC. This committee comprises a chairperson and 32 members drawn equally from the voluntary and statutory sectors involved in the administration and provision of youth work programmes and services. Thirteen nominees from the National Youth Council of Ireland, NYCI, and four from the Irish Vocational Education Association, IVEA, are represented on the committee.

The committee's main role is to advise me on matters relating to the development and coordination of youth work policies, programmes and services. The committee meets on average every two months and provides a forum through which specific issues can be addressed and progressed. I met recently with this advisory committee and with representatives of a wide range of youth organisations, including Foróige, Youth Work Ireland, Irish Girl Guides, Catholic Youth Care and Ferns Diocesan Youth Service.

One of my key aims for youth policy development will be to ensure optimum use of all the financial and human resources available. It is striking how many people work as volunteers in the youthwork sector; there are around 9,000 professionals and 60,000 volunteers. The development of my Department's policy on young people will focus specifically on ensuring greater coherence, co-ordination and impact in youth policy and provision to ensure quality outcomes for all.

The Department is in the process of commissioning a review of international best practice in the area of youth development and youth support. The findings from this work will inform my Department's policy objectives and future funding provision with the aim of ensuring that young people engaging in youth services derive maximum benefit.

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