Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012
39 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of times the international expert reference group and the task group established under the auspices of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee have each met to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33227/12]
View answer57 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason that the timeframe for the national youth framework has slipped from 2012 to 2013 as stated in parliamentary question replies of 19 June 2012 and 13 March 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33226/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 57 together.
Work has commenced in my Department on an overarching Children's and Young People's Policy Framework. A public consultation on this Framework is underway at present. It is anticipated that the Children's and Young People's Policy Framework will be available in 2012. This will include a high level policy statement on youth.
It is my intention that the more detailed Youth Policy Framework will be completed in the light of the wider Children's and Young People's Policy Framework and in particular in the light of the public consultation underway at present as well as the expert and youth services providers' input. I am also keen to ensure that youth policy developments at European level during Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council of Youth Ministers in 2013 will inform Ireland's national policy for young people.
To further inform the process, my Department has commissioned a review of international best practice in the field of youth development and support and this will be available shortly. The findings from this review will be explored by practitioners and managers of young people's services, academics, researchers and others at a symposium on Youth Development Outcomes planned for later this month.
Two working groups — an International Expert Reference Group and a National Youth Work Advisory Committee Task Group — are assisting my Department in developing the Youth Policy Framework. The International Expert Reference Group has met on three occasions. The Task Group has met once and both groups have met together jointly on one occasion to coordinate expert and stakeholder input into the draft findings of the international review.
