Michael D'Arcy
Question:16 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in publishing the Youth Work (Amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20692/98]
Written Answers - Proposed Legislation.
Olivia Mitchell
Question:40 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in publishing the Youth Work (Amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20693/98]
Michael D'Arcy
Question:55 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science when the heads of the Youth Work (Amendment) Bill will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the reason for the delay in seeking Cabinet approval. [20696/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 40 and 55 together.
As Deputies will be aware, my Department is currently engaged in a very extensive programme of legislation with no less than six Bills at various stages of the legislative or preparatory process. Within this context, every effort is being made to expedite the progress of the Youth Work (Amendment) Bill. Following detailed consultations with all interested parties, the draft general scheme of the Bill, together with a draft memorandum for Government, was circulated to all Government Departments at the end of July of this year.
In line with normal practice in the preparation of legislation, a further consultative process on the basis of the observations submitted by the various Departments, has been ongoing. This process is now almost completed and I hope to be in a position to submit a revised scheme and memorandum to Cabinet early next month. This will be followed by referral to the Attorney General's office for drafting and I would expect that the new Bill will be published early in the new year.