Vol. 504 No. 7
57 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the discussions, if any, he has had with interested parties in the past six months regarding amending legislation in relation to youth work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12121/99]
58 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in publishing amending legislation in relation to youth work; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12122/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together.
As Deputies will be aware, the operation of the Youth Work Act, 1997 was predicated largely upon the establishment of the regional education boards. It was subsequently decided that the education boards were not going to be established and that the most appropriate local structures through which to support the provision of youth work services were the vocational education committees. The need to make this fundamental change provided the opportunity for a broad re-assessment of the existing Act.
As part of this re-assessment, detailed consultations with all interested parties took place. Following that process, the draft general scheme of the Bill, together with a draft memorandum for Government, was circulated to all Government Departments last 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, was undertaken. The draft heads of the Bill are now with the parliamentary draftsman's office.
It is anticipated that, having regard to the Government's legislative priorities and programme, publication is not expected before late 1999.
