A sub-committee of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee, NYWAC, comprising representatives of both the statutory and voluntary sector, as well as my Department, is currently developing proposals for the implementation of a comprehensive child protection training programme for the youth work sector. These proposals will be based on the "Code of Good Practice, Child Protection in the Youth Work Sector" published by the Minister of State with responsibility for youth affairs.
The proposals will be considered and agreed firstly by the NYWAC and then submitted to the Minister of State for her approval. A decision regarding the level of funding available this year for such a training programme will be considered in the light of the proposals put forward and within the context of the overall financial resources available to the youth affairs section of my Department in 2003.