Vol. 577 No. 3
68 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the areas of the Youth Work Act 2001 that have been implemented to date; the areas that have yet to be implemented; if a timetable has been set for the implementation of the outstanding sections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30914/03]
The Youth Work Act 2001 was enacted on 1 December 2001. It provides a statutory basis for the development of youth work in Ireland. The Act followed a widespread consultation process. It provides a legal framework for the provision of youth work programmes and services to be organised by the Minister for Education and Science, the vocational education committees and national and regional youth work organisations. It was never the intention that the Act would be implemented fully at once. Section 1 of the Act provides for sections to be commenced at different stages.
To date, sections 2 to 18 and 24 have been commenced. A sub-committee of the national youth work advisory committee was established to make recommendations on the requirements to implement the various sections of the Act. This sub-committee comprises representatives of statutory and voluntary sectors as well as my Department. The work of this sub-committee is ongoing. It will also be necessary for my Department to hold further discussions with the IVEA and chief executive officers' association and the National Youth Council of Ireland on various aspects of the Act. The implementation of further sections of the Act will also depend on the availability of the necessary resources.
