Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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317. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he expects the Value for Money Review for Youth Work Funding to be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31847/14]

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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318. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on the development of a National Youth Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31848/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together.

My Department is responsible for the administration of funding for the development of youth services. The funding schemes support the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for young people including those from disadvantaged communities by the voluntary youth sector.

In October 2012, the Department selected certain ‘youth programmes’ to be subject of a Value for Money and Policy Review in line with the criteria set out in the Public Spending Code. These are the Special Projects for Youth scheme, Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund (1 and 2) and the Local Drugs Task Force projects scheme. The review process was overseen by an independent Steering Committee and supported by the Research and Evaluation Unit within the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The youth sector, national and local youth organisations and youth officers were engaged in the review process.

The review of youth programmes has recently been completed and provided to my Department. In line with the Public Spending Code, following its submission to the Government, the review will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. It is anticipated that this process will be completed in the next few weeks. The review will then be published on my Department’s website. It is planned that a consultation with youth sector interests and other stakeholders on the review’s findings and recommendations will commence in September, 2014.

My Department has prioritised the development of a National Youth Strategy for completion this year. The strategy will have its basis in National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, ‘Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures’ and will span the period 2014 – 2020. It will be a universal strategy for all young people aged 10 to 24 years, while having particular regard to those young people who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing the poorest outcomes and, therefore, in most need of support. Work on the development of the National Youth Strategy has commenced in my Department. The National Youth Work Advisory Committee has recently convened a Task Group including representatives of the youth sector, Government departments, Education and Training Boards Ireland, Tusla, business and academia. The Task Group will provide oversight for the development of the National Youth Strategy. It will, inter alia, consider youth specific strategic policy objectives to achieve the five national outcomes in the National Policy Framework so that that young people are active and healthy, learning and developing, safe and protected from harm, have economic security and opportunity and are connected, respected and contributing to their world. The Task Group will identify the priorities and how they are to be achieved over the life of the National Youth Strategy.

The findings of the Value for Money and Policy Review of youth programmes will shape the future direction of the youth funding provided by my Department to ensure quality, effective, value for money services that are designed to secure the best outcomes for young people in line with the new National Youth Strategy.