Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 3

Written Answers. - Child Protection Programme.

David Stanton

Question:

198 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for the implementation of the child protection training programme; the way this programme is to be implemented; the numbers involved and funding available in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21805/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Following the publication of the Code of Good Practice, Child Protection for the Youth Work Sector in September 2002, a sub-committee of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee, NYWAC, which was appointed under sections 17 and 18 of the Youth Work Act 2001 to advise me on youth work and youth work policy, was set up to develop a comprehensive child protection training programme for the youth work sector. The NYWAC has submitted a draft proposal for a four year training programme based on these guidelines, commencing in 2003, with an estimated total cost of €339,000. This proposal, which provides different levels of training to 650 people in the youth work sector over the four year period, has been approved in principle by me. The financial allocation for 2003 is €82,400.

The implementation of this programme is contingent on the appointment of a project manager whose initial role will be to conduct an audit of current child protection practices and to identify training needs within the youth sector.

The NYWAC is currently drafting an appropriate job description and when this is finalised, arrangements for the recruitment of a project manager will take place.