Vol. 558 No. 5
149 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding will be provided for the implementation of the national youth work development plan or the Youth Work Act, 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25169/02]
The proposals for the national youth work development plan are currently with my Department and have been approved, in principle, by the Minister for State with responsibility for youth affairs. It is proposed to seek approval for the publication of the plan in light of its financial implications and it is intended that this will be done in the near future.
The position in regard to the implementation of the Youth Work Act, 2001, is that it is intended to have the necessary structures, in particular at vocational education committee level, in place during 2003 to give effect to the implementation of the Act. The resources required, including those of a financial nature, will in the first instance be the subject of discussions with the parties involved and subsequently with the Department of Finance.
150 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will increase the funding for youth work in 2003 to cover inflation. [25170/02]
My Department's financial provision for the youth work activities of youth work organisations represents a grant-in-aid allocation and is not, therefore, intended to cover the total cost of the youth work activities of these organisations.
