Vol. 577 No. 3
72 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which he envisages that the national youth work plan will be implemented in view of the allocation to youth work in the published Estimates for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30972/03]
115 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Education and Science if the national youth work development plan is effectively dead in view of the fact that to date only ?120,000 of the estimated ?37 million cost of implementing the strategic plan has been allocated. [30963/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 115 together.
73 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the fact that the allocation for youth work under his Department's budget fails to address the lack of resources for the implementation of the National Youth Work Act 2001. [31084/03]
75 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in the wake of the budget and Estimates for 2004, it is planned to keep the promise made to young people in Sustaining Progress to deliver on the elements of the programme that affect them, including adequately funding youth work. [30962/03]
285 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding that he will make available towards the implementation of the Youth Work Act 2001 during 2004; the sections he plans to implement in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31093/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 75 and 285 together.
The funding for the youth affairs section of my Department in 2004 is €28.124 million, which represents a 4% increase in funding over 2003. Provision for the youth work sector will have increased by over 60% between 1997 to 2004. It was never the intention that the Youth Work Act 2001 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 17, 18 and 24 have been commenced. A sub-committee of the national youth work advisory committee was established to make recommendations on the requirements necessary 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. My Department must have further discussions with the IVE and chief executive officers association and the National Youth Council of Ireland regarding various aspects of the Act. The implementation of further sections of the Act in 2004 will be considered in the light of available finances.
