Tuesday, 12 May 2015

Written Answers Nos. 407-423

Vacancies on State Boards

Questions (407)

Joe Costello

Question:

407. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the State boards, bodies or committees on which vacancies currently exist, or on which vacancies are anticipated to arise, up to and including 1 January 2016; the number of vacancies in each case; when the vacancy arose or will arise; if the vacancy relates to a chair or a member; if she will provide details of the appointment process in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18480/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Name of Board	Number of Vacancies Chair/Member	When vacancy arose/will arise	Appointment Process
Property Registration Authority	2 Members	27 May, 2015 4 August, 2015	(i) Nominated by Bar Council (ii) Nominated by Law Society (both nominations in accordance with Section 11 of the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006)
Property Services Appeal Board	1 Chairperson	15 September, 2014	via Stateboards.ie
Classification of Films Appeal Board	1 Chairperson 8 Members	30 April, 2013	via Stateboards.ie
Censorship of Publications Appeal Board	1 Chairperson 4 Members	12 February, 2012	via Stateboards.ie
Judicial Appointments Advisory Board	1 Member	7 June, 2014	via the Public Appointments Service
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission	1 Chairperson	30 January, 2015	The appointment of members of the Ombudsman Commission is governed by section 65 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
Audit Committee of the Department of Justice and Equality	1 Member	Scheduled to arise after the September 2015 Audit Committee meeting	Appointments to vacancies on the Audit Committee are made by the Secretary General of the Department.
Parole Board	4 Members	16 July, 2015	Appointments will made by the Minister for Justice and Equality based on experience and expertise which is essential to the work of the Parole Board and in accordance with Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal	1 Member	Current	Will be filled on foot of expressions of interest sought.
Legal Aid Board	1 Member	May 2015	Will be filled in line with Section 4 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and with Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards.
Irish Legal Terms Advisory Committee	1 Member	June 2015	Discretionary post. If filled it will be in line with the relevant provisions of the Irish Legal Terms Act 1945

Finally, I wish to inform the Deputy that, in the time available to do so, it has not been possible to provide the information required in respect of prison visiting committees. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.

Garda Recruitment

Questions (408)

Shane Ross

Question:

408. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider raising the maximum recruitment age of 35 for entry into An Garda Síochána to bring the recruitment process in line with other European Union states, including Northern Ireland, Scotland and England; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18486/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The age at which any candidate may apply to join the Garda Síochána as a full time member is set by regulation 4 (a) of the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 which states as follows:

"Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, a person is eligible to apply for admission as a trainee where, on the closing date specified in the advertisement for the competition to which the admission relates-

(a ) the person has attained 18 years of age but has not yet attained 35 years of age."

This regulation applies without discrimination and no concessions are available to any person. There are no plans to change this provision.

Garda Reserve

Questions (409)

Shane Ross

Question:

409. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide details on the refusal of a person's admission to An Garda Síochána Reserve (details supplied) ; if this refusal will be repeated, if further applications are made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18487/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Applications to become members of An Garda Síochána Reserve are processed by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of An Garda Síochána. Admission to become a Reserve member is subject to the provisions of the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2006. I have no role in this process.

Marriage Equality Referendum

Questions (410)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

410. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she informed the Government of her view of the involvement of An Garda Síochána on the "Yes" side of the same-sex marriage referendum campaign; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18493/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

One of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts is to direct and control An Garda Síochána.

The Garda Síochána Discipline Regulations were introduced by Statutory instrument in May 2007. Included in the "Acts or Conduct Constituting Breaches of Discipline" is the following:

"Prohibited spare-time activity, that is to say-

a) identifying himself or herself actively or publicly with a political party;

b) behaving in relation to political matters in such a manner and in such circumstances as to give rise to reasonable apprehension among members of the public in relation to his or her impartiality in the discharge of his or her duties; or

c) engaging (whether for reward or otherwise) in any activity which, though not mentioned in subparagraph (a) or (b), is prohibited by the Commissioner (by either general or special directive) as being-

(i) likely to interfere with the proper discharge of his or her duties; or

(ii) likely to give rise to reasonable apprehension among members of the public in relation to his or her impartiality in the discharge of those duties; or

(iii) for good and stated reasons, inappropriate for members to engage in."

In my response to Parliamentary Question 222 on 28 April 2015 I put on record that "The Garda Commissioner has made clear publicly that Garda participation in the event outside Pearse Street Station - or any event like it - is inappropriate. As the person with statutory responsibility for the control and direction of the Force it is a matter for the Commissioner to examine the circumstances which arose and any action that might be necessary.

To avoid any reoccurrence of this behaviour, the Garda Commissioner has informed me that she has now issued an instruction reminding all members of An Garda Síochána of the necessity for members not to be associated with any political movement or viewpoint."

Property Registration Authority

Questions (411)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

411. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on an application (details supplied) which was referred to the Property Registration Authority in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18510/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions.

The Deputy will be aware of the service to T.D.s and Senators which provides information on the current status of applications, such as the subject of this question, which was introduced in May 2006. The service provides a speedier, more efficient and more cost effective alternative to submitting Parliamentary Questions. It is operated by the PRA and is available all year round.

I can further inform the Deputy that his query has been forwarded to the PRA for attention and direct reply via the above mentioned service.

Visa Applications

Questions (412)

Denis Naughten

Question:

412. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to reform the current holiday visa system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18515/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department is constantly seeking ways in which the visa system may be developed to facilitate legitimate travel to the State for the purpose of tourism and business. In doing so, officials in INIS maintain regular close contact with relevant Government Departments and agencies. It is, however, important to stress, at the outset, that the vast majority of tourists visiting the State-over 96%-are from countries whose citizens do not require a visa to travel to the State e.g. the United Kingdom, other EU states, the United States, etc.

In July, 2011, the Government launched the first ever Irish Short-Stay Visa Waiver Programme. Under this Programme, tourists or business people who have lawfully entered the UK, including Northern Ireland, on a valid UK visa are able to travel on to Ireland without the requirement to obtain an Irish visa. The Programme covers eighteen countries including major emerging tourism and business markets such as China and India. The Programme has proven extremely successful leading to an increase in visits from the countries covered by it of 68% from 2010 (the last full year before its introduction) and 2013.

Building on the success of this programme, negotiations took place with the United Kingdom authorities on the development of a reciprocal programme i.e. of also allowing visitors with an Irish visa to travel to the UK on the basis of that visa. These negotiations led to the establishment of the British Irish Visa Scheme which I launched, with the UK Home Secretary, in October last year. This Scheme was implemented in China later that month and in India in February of this year. The Scheme, which will supersede the Waiver Programme, allows visitors to travel to and around the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK, including the north and south of the island of Ireland, on a single visa. A formal joint review of the Scheme with the UK is due to be carried out shortly and both Governments have committed to the worldwide rollout of the Scheme to be substantially completed by the end of this year. I am confident that this Scheme will build on and expand the growth in visitor numbers resulting from the original Waiver Programme.

In addition to these measures, a liberal multi-entry visa regime for business travellers and other regular visitors with a good visa history, has been implemented in the Irish Visa Offices in Beijing, Moscow, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi over the last few years. This regime allows for the issue of multi-entry visas for up to five years' duration for applicants with a good previous visa history.

I am satisfied that the existing visa regime continues to support and facilitate tourism growth from countries whose citizens are visa-required for travel to the State.

Independent Review Mechanism

Questions (413)

Niall Collins

Question:

413. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Independent Review Mechanism will complete its work; her views on establishing a commission of investigation into serious cases, which raise fundamental questions regarding the malpractice of certain members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18563/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

There are currently 319 complaints being considered by the mechanism established by the Government for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach. A panel consisting of two Senior and five Junior Counsel was established for the purpose, all selected on the basis of their experience of the criminal justice system.

The volume and complexity of cases has led to the review taking longer than originally anticipated, but it is important that counsel take the time necessary to consider each case fully and carefully. It is therefore considered inappropriate to place a time constraint upon the working of the Panel. Nevertheless counsel are making every effort to conclude their work as soon as is reasonably practicable. Although counsel have not finished their work, my Department has received a number of recommendations and I therefore intend to start the process shortly of notifying the persons concerned of the outcome of the review in their cases.

Counsel have been asked to make a recommendation to me on what action, if any, might be appropriate in each case. The Panel is independent and therefore no restriction can be placed on the nature of recommendations which they might make. In this regard, and without in any way pre-judging the outcome in any individual case, I think it is important to be realistic and to acknowledge that it may well be that no further action is recommended in a significant number of cases. This may particularly be so where the persons involved have already exhausted the options open to them, such as where their cases have been investigated by GSOC or heard by a court.

Nevertheless, it is open to the members of the Panel to make recommendations as they see fit in relation to each case. Each recommendation will be very carefully considered, but as a matter of general principle let me say quite clearly that, in coming to a decision in each case, I will be very strongly guided by the independent advice of counsel. Quite clearly having engaged counsel for this review, it would be entirely appropriate to be guided by their advice. In the event that recommendations arise in regard to a Commission of Investigation, consideration will be given to whether this could be achieved by way of amending the terms of reference of an existing commission or the establishment of a separate commission.

Garda Strength

Questions (414)

Michael McGrath

Question:

414. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide for each of the years 2000, 2005 and 2010, and for 2015 to date, the Garda numbers for each of the Garda districts in Cork city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18576/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

I have received the information from the Garda Commissioner on the personnel strength for each Division and District and station in county Cork for the years ending 31 December 2000, 2005, 2010 and on 31 March 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available. I have arranged that this information which is set out in spreadsheets be sent to the Deputy directly.

Miscarriages of Justice

Questions (415)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

415. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will make a public statement on the wrongful conviction and posthumous pardon of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18603/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I would refer the Deputy to my statement of 1 April 2015 in which I announced that the Government had decided to advise the President to exercise his right of pardon under Article 13.6 of the Constitution in respect of the conviction in 1941 of Mr. Harry Gleeson for the murder of Ms. Mary McCarthy.

This decision came following a review of the case by Mr. Shane Murphy SC on the direction of the Attorney General. This review concluded that in Mr. Murphy's opinion there were deficiencies in the conviction of Mr Gleeson which render it unsafe, and I gave further details of these matters in my original statement. Having considered Mr. Murphy's opinion, the Attorney General advised the Government that the deficiencies in the conviction warranted the Government recommending to the President that he exercise his right of pardon. The Government accepted this advice.

The Government deeply regrets that a man was convicted and executed in circumstances now found to be unsafe. All that can be done now by way of remedy is to clear his name of the conviction, and that process has been put in train. Equally the Government regrets that this decision leaves unresolved the brutal murder of Ms. Mary McCarthy, whose children were deprived of their mother in terrible circumstances. The Government has expressed its sympathy with both families and with all those affected by this crime and the subsequent conviction.

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Questions (416)

Willie Penrose

Question:

416. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if, in the context of applications for repossession orders at various courts, including county registrars sittings, she will take steps to put in place a solicitors panel, equivalent to the Legal Aid Solicitors Panel, which would ensure that each of the householders have appropriate legal advice and representation available prior to any such application proceeding and which would require all such applications to be adjourned and-or stayed in order to enable appropriate consultation with the mortgagors to proceed and that no steps in such proceedings be permitted until the proper legal representation is provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18650/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Government recognises that the level of mortgage arrears represents a significant economic and social challenge and is acutely aware of the difficulties some borrowers are facing in meeting their mortgage commitments. In this context, the Government welcomes evidence of increasing engagement between borrowers and lenders which has resulted in over 115,000 sustainable restructured solutions being put in place. In addition, this year has witnessed an increase in the number of those availing of the services of the Insolvency Service of Ireland.

As the Deputy is aware, the Government is committed to continuing to address this issue as a priority. Arising from an ongoing review, it will shortly be announcing a package of measures to improve the existing framework and increase uptake of personal insolvency solutions. As part of this process, the Government is examining a variety of means to ensure support for distressed borrowers although it should be stressed that such supports will necessitate engagement by the borrowers concerned with their lending institutions.

Independent Review Mechanism

Questions (417)

Clare Daly

Question:

417. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the case of a person (details supplied) was not considered by the Independent Review Mechanism. [18652/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am aware that the members of the family in question have made representations in respect of a number of issues over a long period of time and that there was also protracted civil and family law litigation which I believe was concluded some time ago. This case has been the subject of previous review in my Department and there appears to be no additional information forthcoming which would merit a further examination. In light of this, and as the issues which had been raised most recently related to legal representation and the outcome of civil proceedings rather than Garda actions, the case was not referred to the Independent Review Mechanism.

Garda Strength

Questions (418)

Anthony Lawlor

Question:

418. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current level of Garda coverage for Celbridge in County Kildare; her views that current resourcing is adequate for the town; if she envisages any new recruits being allocated to the area in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18686/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Kildare Garda Division as of 31 March 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available is 299. Of this number, 13 personnel are assigned to Celbridge Garda station. There is also one Garda Reserve and one civilian attached to the station.

Garda Investigations

Questions (419)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

419. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the body parts of a human body washed up on shore at Hook Head in County Wexford have been identified; the reason letters and other contacts from a person (details supplied) in County Cork have not been replied to by her Department, in view of the fact the family provided DNA samples; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18703/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí have made inquiries with the Forensic Science Laboratory on a number of occasions, most recently in February and March of this year, in relation to identifying the human remains which were recovered. I regret to say, however, that the examination of these remains has not yielded any positive results to date. My Department has recently provided an update to the person in question in this regard.

I am conscious of the continuing impact on the family concerned, as well as the impact on a number of other families in similar circumstances. I understand that obtaining DNA from remains which have been in the sea for long periods of time is extremely difficult. I am, however, assured that An Garda Síochána will continue to liaise with the Forensic Science Laboratory in relation to the possibility of an identification.

Deportation Orders Data

Questions (420)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

420. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders signed between 1 April 2014 and 30 September 2014, including a breakdown of the nationalities they were issued to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18706/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

A total of 367 Deportation Orders were signed during the period referred to by the Deputy. The top five nationalities were China (65), Sudan (60), Pakistan (18), Nigeria (17) and Mauritius (16).

In order to provide a more complete picture of the situation regarding the expulsion of non-Irish nationals from the State during the period in question, it should be noted that during the same period, 55 Removal Orders were signed in respect of EU nationals, 9 Transfer Orders were signed under the Dublin Regulation and 1,818 persons were refused leave to land in the State at ports of entry.

School Completion Programme

Questions (421)

Gabrielle McFadden

Question:

421. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding allocated to counties Longford and Westmeath for the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date under the school completion programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18450/15]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The School Completion Programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to improve the school attendance, participation and retention of its target cohort. It is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified under the Department of Education and Skills DEIS Action Plan. It involves 124 locally managed projects and provides targeted supports to approximately 36,000 children and young people.

Since 1st January 2014, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects under the remit of my Department. Prior to the establishment of the Agency, the then National Educational Welfare Board had operational responsibility for the programme. My Department administered the funding for this programme.

In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million was provided for the School Completion Programme. The Agency has indicated a similar allocation for the programme in 2015.

The Agency has advised that Chairpersons of Local Management Committees have been requested to prepare their school retention plans for the 2015/2016 school year based on the expenditure allocated last year and to return them to the Agency by June 5th. Following receipt of these plans projects including those in Longford and Westmeath will be notified of their allocations for the 2015/2016 school year.

A review of the School Completion Programme, being carried out by the ESRI, is almost finalised. This will assist in identifying the reforms necessary to consolidate the programme on a sustainable footing for the future and ensure that available funds are targeted to those services which provide the greatest contribution to educational outcomes for children at risk of early school leaving and educational disadvantage.

I have advised the Agency of my commitment to ensuring that there is no diminution in the school completion programme services. The School Completion Programme is an important service within the Agency’s educational welfare services. It is highly regarded as a key response in securing improved educational outcomes for children and young people at risk of early school leaving.

The detailed information about the allocations for the School Completion Programmes in Longford and Westmeath is set out in the table.

-	2010-11 - School Year	2011-12 - School Year	2012-13 - School Year	2013-14 -School Year	2014-15 - School Year
-	Allocation	Allocation	Allocation	Allocation	Allocation
SCP Athlone	€ 209,066	€ 202,794	€ 189,612	€ 183,924	€171,968
SCP Longford	€ 213,928	€ 207,582	€ 194,089	€ 188,266	€176,029
SCP Mullingar	€ 269,803	€ 261,709	€ 244,698	€ 236,318	€220.956

School Completion Programme

Questions (422)

Gabrielle McFadden

Question:

422. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the objectives behind the review of the school completion programme; when the review will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18451/15]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The School Completion Programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance, participation and retention of young people who are risk of educational disadvantage. The programme is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills' DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports annually to approximately 36,000 children.

Since 1st January 2014, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme. The review of the School Completion Programme is almost finalised. The objectives of the review are to examine the programme's structures, clarify roles and responsibilities, to analyse the interventions and supports provided and identify best practice and make recommendations for the future of the programme. The review is an important initiative in planning for the future development of the programme.

The review of the SCP was indicated in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure, 2012-2014. It is being undertaken by the ESRI following a procurement process managed by the Agency.

A key goal of the review is to assist in identifying the reforms necessary to consolidate the programme on a sustainable footing for the future and ensure that available funds are targeted to those services which provide the greatest contribution to educational outcomes for children at risk of early school leaving and educational disadvantage.

The final report of the review is expected next month.

Youth Services Funding

Questions (423)

John Halligan

Question:

423. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will confirm the level by which funding to Youth Services has been cut since 2012, both in the country in general, and more particularly in County Waterford; the number of jobs estimated to have been lost in the sector throughout the country, and specifically in County Waterford, as a direct result of the cuts in funding; his views that this is a vital preventative programme working with the most marginalised and disadvantaged young persons in the community, and it is essential that funding levels be restored as quickly as possible; his plans to reinstate the cut funding in the upcoming budget; the extent to which the funding will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18416/15]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 young people and involve approximately 1,400 youth work staff in 477 projects and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country. In 2015, funding of €49.93m has been provided to my Department for these schemes. Over the period 2012 to 2014, my Department, as with all Government departments was required to deliver substantial savings on all major funding programmes under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012 - 2014. In line with these savings requirements the reduction in finding provision for the youth services over the period amounted to approximately 18.75%. This takes into account an allocation of €1m provided in Budget 2014 to offset the impact of the savings requirements on the youth services. My Department in determining the annual allocations to youth programmes, while having regard to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure savings requirements, sought to ensure that, as far as possible, the focus was maintained on the frontline youth services, particularly those for vulnerable young people.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that there has been no reduction in the overall allocation for youth services in 2015 which was a key priority for youth organisations. An allocation of €1.92m has been made for the provision of youth services in Co Waterford in 2015. In 2014, an allocation of €1.92m was made and in 2013 and 2012 allocations of €1.99m and €2.28m were provided to support local youth services.

In recent years capital funding has been allocated by my Department for capital projects in the youth services. This included provision to support youth cafes, refurbishments, equipment and other capital works projects.

Capital funding was allocated to youth services in County Waterford as follows:

- 2012 - Capital funding of €32,700 to support 2 Youth Cafes;

- 2013 - Capital funding of €100,000 to support 2 Youth Cafes;

- 2014 - Capital funding amounting to €20,142.87 was made available to fund small capital projects in the youth services in the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board area. Three local youth projects received grants under the scheme.

Information on the numbers of workers and volunteers involved in the provision of youth services throughout the country including in Co Waterford is not readily available in my Department.

I am aware of the challenges that the youth services have faced in recent years in continuing to provide high quality services that meet young people's needs. I, and officials of my Department have met, and continue to meet regularly, with youth organisations and groups. In January and February, officials of my Department met with the representatives of some 30 national and major regional youth organisations to discuss recent and upcoming developments and to hear their plans for the services in 2015. My aim is to see how we can work together to bring about the best possible outcomes for young people, having regard to resources available to us and to ensure that the programmes and services being provided are relevant and responsive to young people’s needs.

My Department is developing a new National Youth Strategy. It will be a universal strategy for all young people aged 10-24 years and will have a particular focus on those young people who are most marginalised or at risk and who have the poorest outcomes and therefore who are most in need of support. The National Youth Strategy is being developed in close consultation with the statutory youth interests and the voluntary youth organisations and services that work with young people. The Strategy recognises the importance of quality youth work programmes and services that are evidence based, preventative, and designed to secure optimal outcomes for young people. My Department is working to finalise the new National Youth Strategy by the Summer.