Vol. 475 No. 5
17 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, there are to expand the provision of opportunities for social and personal development in the youth service as agreed in Partnership 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5218/97]
Voluntary youth organisations, youth clubs and community youth projects provide valuable opportunities for the social and personal development of our young people. Youth services operate in the area of non-formal education and I will be continuing my efforts to make these opportunities available to young people in line with the provisions of Partnership 2000.
As far back as 1984, the Costello report identified the need for the establishment of a properly co-ordinated system of formation and development for youth. In order to facilitate the emergence of a more comprehensive and accessible youth service, a revised policy on youth work was outlined in my Department's White Paper on education, Charting our Education Future. Furthermore, in line with a commitment given in the Government of Renewal policy document, I have arranged for the preparation of a youth work Bill in order to provide a statutory basis for the development of youth work in this country.
I am happy to say that publication of the legislation is imminent and that this was preceded by wide-ranging consultation with youth work interests. I envisage that the new structures currently being planned for the youth sector will also facilitate the involvement of local communities, empowering them to play a role in the development of responses to the needs of young people. In addition, the framework provided in the Youth Work Act and particularly the provisions for monitoring and assessment and the provisions for integration, co-ordination and targeting, will help to demonstrate the value for money of youth work.
I am confident that developments in the youth work area will increase the provision of opportunities for the personal and social development of our young people.
