Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she or officials within the youth affairs section are developing a policy proposal to tackle anti-social behaviour amongst young people; if an analysis of international best practice in combating, tackling and preventing anti-social behaviour will be undertaken by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24520/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Youth Affairs Section of the Department of Education & Science is responsible for the provision of a policy framework and financial support for the development of youth work programmes and services. These non-formal education programmes and services are concerned with the personal and social development of young people outside of, but complementary to, formal education, and prioritise the 10 to 21 age group and disadvantaged youth. Underpinning and guiding youth work in Ireland is the Youth Work Act, 2001 and the National Youth Work Development Plan 2003-2007.

The main aim of the youth work service in Ireland is to help young people to realise their full potential and to become active participants in society. It provides support and space to young people to develop in a non-formal and fun setting and is characterised by the voluntary participation of young people. Through engagement with youth work services young people are provided with opportunity to learn more about themselves and their communities and to prepare for responsible adulthood.

Some €47m has been made available in 2006 to support the work of the youth work sector. The activities that the funding supports is broad, reflecting the many different facets of youth work in Ireland and indeed the different needs of our youth population, including the following. The Youth Service Grant Scheme provides funding to national and major regional voluntary youth organisations on an annual basis. Recipient organisations include Youth Work Ireland, Foróige, Scouting Ireland, and ECO.

The Special Projects to assist Disadvantaged Youth scheme is for out-of-school projects for disadvantaged young people. Grant aid is provided to organisations and groups for specific projects to address the needs of young people with high youth populations, youth unemployment, drug/substance abuse, problems of juvenile crime, vandalism and truancy, etc. The projects facilitate the development of participants equipping them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for their appropriate integration in society.

Some 124 projects are supported by my Department under the Young Peoples' Facilities and Services Fund, which aims to address the needs of young people where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. Most of the funding is allocated to the areas in which a Local Drugs Task Force has been established.

In addition to these schemes, the Youth Affairs Section provides grant aid to a network of youth information centres, supports local youth groups through a Local Youth Club Grant Scheme administered locally by VECs, and provides grant aid to a variety of other youth work programmes and services.

The National Youth Work Development Plan includes a proposal to establish a National Youth Work Development Unit and work is underway with regard to the establishment of the Unit. The functions of the Unit will include researching and developing guidelines for best practice in youth work and assisting youth organisations to implement same, as well as managing and coordinating research.