The national youth work development plan, to run from 2003 to 2007, was published on 5 August 2003 following an extensive consultative process. It is intended that the plan will be implemented on a phased and prioritised basis as resources permit, following agreement on financial provisions with the Minister for Finance. The plan includes a significant number of proposed actions, of which five have been identified as priorities by the national youth work advisory committee. The priorities are the appointment of an assessor of youth work, the establishment of a development unit for youth work, the establishment of a funding review body, the establishment of a validation body for youth work training and the commencement of a national programme for child protection training for the youth work sector.
The appointment of an assessor of youth work and the commencement of a comprehensive child protection training programme have been identified as priorities in the first year of the plan. Funding of €120,000 is available in 2003 for these priorities. Further consideration will be given to the remaining priorities and actions in the light of the financial provisions made available in 2004 and subsequent years. Annex 4 of the plan outlines the total financial implications for each year of the plan if every action is implemented in line with the specified timetable. The amounts involved are as follows: €2,650,300 in 2003, €4,477,700 in 2004, €7,568,900 in 2005, €9,831,980 in 2006 and €12,443,985 in 2007. The total amount is €36,972,865. Sustaining Progress provides, "Based on the Youth Work Act, 2001, the National Youth Work Development Plan will be progressed and implemented on a phased basis, as resources are made available."
