Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will clarify the position in legislation of youth work in Ireland in terms of the merger of the vocational education committees and the establishment of the new ETBs, in view of the fact that youth work as a profession in Ireland has not been referenced in the heads of the Education and Training Boards Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15168/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I understand that in October 2011 the General Scheme of an Education and Training Boards Bill was referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education. The General Scheme was also published at that time. It is also my understanding that the General Scheme has now been referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government for formal drafting.

Officials of my Department will be discussing the provision of youth services in the context of the General Scheme with the Department of Education and Skills. These discussions will be taking place in the next week or so.

Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to implement the Youth Work Act 2001 fully; the timescale for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15169/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently developing an overarching Children and Youth Strategy 2012 – 2017 which will contain discrete, but complementary, strategies i.e. a Youth Policy Framework and a National Children's Strategy. It is intended that the Youth Work Act, 2001 will be reviewed in the context of the development of the Youth Policy Framework.