Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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505. 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. [1606/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The National Youth Strategy will focus on the youth-related policy commitments outlined in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People. It will be a universal strategy for all young people aged 10 to 24. It will have a particular focus on those who are most disadvantaged or at risk and who have the poorest outcomes and therefore in most need of support.

A National Youth Strategy Task Group, convened by my Department, is overseeing the development of the new Strategy. This Task Group comprises statutory youth interests and voluntary agencies and organisations working with young people. I am keen that all stakeholders have a role to play in the development of the new National Youth Strategy and a comprehensive consultation process is underway at present.

It includes online surveys of young people and those working with young people and three major stakeholder consultation events planned for later this month. These events are for young people, the youth sector, NGOs working for and with young people, Education and Training Boards, Government departments, agencies, business and academia and other youth interests. The events will include consultation on the priorities for the new Strategy and the findings of the recently completed Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Programmes. The Review makes recommendations for the future operation of youth funding schemes and their development in the years ahead to ensure effective, value for money services that will be evidence based and improve outcomes for young people.

The consultation will run into February 2015 and I anticipate that the Strategy will be completed promptly thereafter.