Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 464: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to provide extra resources to progress the implementation of the national youth work development plan and the Youth Work Act 2001 on a phased and prioritised basis. [18494/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The youth work sector has received unprecedented financial support over the past number of years. While this funding has allowed for some expansion in the sector, there has been a growing emphasis on consolidating current provision.

The 2008 provision of €52.6m for Youth Affairs will enable the high level of provision achieved over recent years to be maintained as well as a continued focus on the further consolidation of existing provision.

With regard to the National Youth Work Development plan, steady progress has been made in the implementation of a number of priority actions, as identified by the National Youth Work Advisory Committee. These include areas such as Child Protection, upgrade of one worker projects to two-worker status, the establishment of a North/South Education and Training Standards Committee for youth work and the capacity development of youth work organisations to engage with the provisions of the Youth Work Act, 2001. Ongoing support is being provided in respect of these and other initiatives.

With regard to the Youth Work Act, 2001, Section 1 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 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 continuing.

Significant progress has been made since 2006 in the roll out of the Act at local level. This includes the assignment of Youth Officers and related financial support to the VEC sector.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 465: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to support a new youth work development plan for the period 2008 to 2012. [18495/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Towards 2016, the Social Partnership Agreement 2006-2015, provides for consideration to be given to the need for a further plan following a review in 2008 of the National Youth Work Development Plan 2003-2007. In addition, the Programme for Government commits to supporting a new Youth Work Development Plan for the period 2008-2012.

In that context, as part of its workplan for 2008, the National Youth Work Advisory Committee (NYWAC) is undertaking a review of the 2003-2007 Plan and is in the process of commencing this work. The outcomes of this review and any other relevant advice and information will help inform me and my Department in relation to the above provisions.