Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2004
250 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will allocate €6.62 million to help put outstanding elements of the Youth Work Act 2001 in place and facilitate implementation of the first two years of the national youth work development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20034/04]
View answer264 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to expand the funds allocated to youth work in order to roll out the provisions of the Youth Work Act 2001 and ensure the implementation of the national youth development plan. [20144/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 264 together.
The funding for the youth affairs section of my Department for 2004 is €28.624 million which is an increase of 5.5% over the 2003 allocation of €27.123 million. This allocation includes an amount of €0.5 million which has been made available in 2004 towards the implementation of the national youth work development plan.
The Youth Work Act 2001 was enacted on 1 December 2001 and provides a statutory basis for the development of youth work in Ireland. 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 2-7, 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 for the implementation of the various sections of the Act. This sub-committee comprises representatives of both statutory and voluntary sectors, as well as my Department. The work of this sub-committee is ongoing and preparatory work is also being carried out in regard to sections 19, 20 and 25 of the Act. The implementation of further sections of the Act will depend on the availability of the necessary resources. Whilst it has not been found possible to make funding available for this purpose in the 2004 Estimates, it is my intention that further discussions will take place between my Department and the IVEA-CEO association and the National Youth Council of Ireland in the context of the Estimates for 2005. These discussions will take place as appropriate and necessary.
With regard to the national youth work development plan, work is under way on the first two priorities identified, that is the implementation of a child protection training programme for the youth work sector and the appointment of an assessor of youth work. The implementation of further elements of the plan will be progressed on a priority basis, having regard to available funding resources. Work has commenced on the identification of other priority areas in the light of the increased funding available for this purpose in 2004.
251 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will allocate €3.38 million to allow current core funding of youth programmes and youth work with disadvantaged young persons to continue as promoted by Foróige; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20035/04]
View answerThe funding for the youth affairs section of my Department for 2004 is €28.624 million which is an increase of 5.5% over the 2003 allocation of €27.123 million. This allocation includes an amount of €500,000 which has been made available in 2004 towards the implementation of the national youth work development plan.
A significant proportion of the funding available to the youth affairs section is expended each year on the special projects for youth scheme which specifically targets young people in disadvantaged areas. There are currently 164 special projects in receipt of funding under this scheme. In 2003 a total of €12.504 million was allocated for the special projects for youth scheme.
