The funding for the youth affairs section of my Department for 2004 is €28.124 million, which represents a 4% increase in funding over 2003. Between 1997 and 2004, provision for the youth work sector has increased by more than 60%.
It is intended that the National Youth Work Development Plan 2003-2007 will be implemented on a phased and prioritised basis as resources permit, following agreement on financial provisions with the Minister for Finance. As a first step, it is intended to appoint an assessor of youth work and also to commence the first phase of the child protection training programme for the youth sector. Given the discussion on the previous question, all of us agree it is important that codes of practice are put in place. I was happy to publish the code of practice in September 2002. I have stated that the child protection training programme should be one of the first priorities to be implemented in terms of the national youth work development plan.
As regards the Youth Work Act 2001, which provides a statutory basis for the development of youth work in Ireland, it was not the intention that the Act would be fully implemented immediately. Section 1 of the Act provides for sections to be commenced at different stages. To date, sections 2 to 17, inclusive, 18 and 24 have been commenced. The implementation of further sections will depend on the availability of the necessary resources. I assure the Deputy and youth work organisations of my continuing support for the work of the youth sector and that I will continue to seek additional funding for the sector in the future.