Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the proposed timeframe for fully implementing the Youth Work Act 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25937/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Youth Work Act, 2001, provides a legal framework for the provision of youth work programmes and services to be organised by the Minister for Education and Science, the Vocational Education Committees and national and regional youth work organisations. Section 1 of the Act provides for sections to be commenced at different stages. Sections 2-7, 17, 18 and 24 have been commenced to date.

A sub-committee of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee, representative of both statutory and voluntary sectors as well as my Department, has been steadily progressing the groundwork, including the development of detailed guidelines and procedures, which are vital for the further roll out of the Act in a planned and structured manner. The work of this sub-committee is progressing steadily.

My Department and I are working towards ensuring that the additional €2.8m secured in 2006 for the main funding line for the youth work sector is used to develop the youth work service in a strategic manner. This includes the progressive roll out of the Youth Work Act, 2001. The resourcing of VECs, including the appointment of Youth Work Officers, to carry out the functions set out for them under the Act has been agreed in principle by my Department and the IVEA. My Department is currently finalising the detail involved. This is a significant step forward which will allow for the development of local youth work plans and ensure co-ordination of youth work programmes and services in the area with education and other programmes for young people.

As a priority for 2005 I identified the capacity development of youth work organisations to assist them in preparing themselves organisationally for the implementation of the Act. To this end I established a Development Fund for youth work organisations to help ensure that they can achieve the new standards for approval and engage effectively with the new structures arising from the Youth Work Act, 2001. Some 30 national and major regional youth organisations received once-off grants in 2005, ranging up to €15,000, to help develop their ICT capacity. Over €300,000 was provided for this Fund in 2005. Similar funding is being made available in 2006. A recent meeting of a sub-committee of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee has identified particular areas for attention in 2006.

Work on the progressive implementation of the Act will continue, with further Sections being implemented as the necessary procedures are finalised and as resources, both human and financial, permit.

Significant progress has been made, progress which will continue to be built upon by my Department which is working closely with the various youth work interests.