David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her policy in relation to the development of youth services; the section of the Youth Work Act 2001 and the national youth work development plan which have been implemented to date in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45571/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for Youth Affairs transferred from the Department of Education and Science to the Office of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with effect from 1 January 2009. The integration of Youth Affairs Unit into my Office is providing continuity of service and operational experience as well as opening up greater opportunities for a more integrated, cohesive and effective approach to addressing the needs of children and young people.

This integration has given my Office the opportunity to take a more comprehensive strategic view of the full breadth of work with young people in Ireland. A review of the constituent units of my Office that will inform the development of strategic and coordinated polices for youth related services has commenced.

With regard to the Youth Work Act, 2001, Section 1 provides for sections of the Act to be commenced at different stages. Sections 2-7, 17 and 18 have been commenced to date.

The National Youth Work Advisory Committee has been reviewing the implementation of the Act. I will consider the Committee's recommendations in the context of the role of my Office, its policies and strategies, while having due regard to developments to date.

Work has also continued in 2009 in supporting the recommendations of the National Youth Work Development Plan including the areas of child protection, ongoing financial support for local youth clubs and groups, support for the North/South Education and Training Standards Committee for youth work and the finalisation of a Quality Standards Framework for the youth work sector.