The national youth work development plan is currently with my Department and has been approved, in principle, by the Minister of State with responsibility for youth affairs. It is intended to seek Government approval for the publication of the plan in the near future. On the basis of approval of its publication being forthcoming, implementation of the plan will take place on an incremental basis in accordance with agreed financial provisions with the Department of Finance.
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 be in the first instance the subject of discussions with the parties involved and subsequently with the Department of Finance.