The proposals for the national youth work development plan are currently with my Department and have been approved, in principle, by the Minister for State with responsibility for youth affairs. It is proposed to seek approval for the publication of the plan in light of its financial implications and it is intended that this will be done in the near future.
The position in regard to the implementation of the Youth Work Act, 2001, is that it is intended to have the necessary structures, in particular at vocational education committee level, in place during 2003 to give effect to the implementation of the Act. The resources required, including those of a financial nature, will in the first instance be the subject of discussions with the parties involved and subsequently with the Department of Finance.