Written answers

Tuesday, 13 February 2007

Department of Education and Science

Youth Services

10:00 am

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date in implementing the Youth Work Act, 2001; the sections which have been implemented and the timescales of implementation; the sections which remain to be implemented and the timescale for same; the progress that has been made to date in the implementation of the national youth work development plan; the moneys made available and amount expended each year respectively since the plan was launched; the details of the projects underway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5061/07]

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Section 1 of the Youth Work Act, 2001 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 (NYWAC), representative of both statutory and voluntary sectors as well as of my Department, has been steadily progressing the groundwork, including the development of detailed guidelines and procedures, which are vital for the further coherent implementation of the Act. The work of this sub-committee is advancing steadily. It is envisaged that in 2007 significant progress will be made in the roll out of the Act at local level.

With regard to the National Youth Work Development Plan, following consultations with the NYWAC, my Department identified a number of priority action areas for implementation and I am happy to report that progress has been made in a number of important areas. These include:

the development and expansion of the Special Projects for Youth Scheme — To date, the number of projects has increased from 164 in 2003 to the current level of 179. In addition, 52 single worker projects have been upgraded to two worker projects.

support for Child Protection training and awareness raising for the sector, including the establishment and ongoing support of a National Child Protection Unit based in the National Youth Council of Ireland.

the establishment of a North/South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work whose role is, in the first instance, the professional endorsement of courses, programmes of education and training provided by Higher Education Institutions in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

two major reviews i.e. youth information provision review and funding of the youth work sector review were undertaken by external consultants on behalf of my Department. These reviews are currently with the relevant NYWAC working groups for their consideration.

the establishment of a National Youth Work Development Unit within the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. My Department is currently in consultation with the university authorities in regard to detailed arrangements for the Unit.

the appointment of an Assessor of Youth Work whose role includes the monitoring and evaluating of youth work programmes and assisting in the development of quality standards framework for the sector.

Work on these and other areas is continuing. To date, €3.72m has been expended on the Plan as follows:

2003 — €0.08m;

2004 — €0.5m;

2005 — €1.46m;

2006 — €1.68m.

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