Seán Crowe
Ceist:101 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the Government’s plan for implementing the Youth Work Act 2001; and the time scale for its full implementation. [8126/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 11 March 2004
Ceisteanna (100)
Freagraí scríofa
The Youth Work Act 2001 was enacted on 1 December 2001 and provides a statutory basis for the development of youth work in Ireland. The Act followed on a widespread consultation process and provides a legal framework for the provision of youth work programmes and services to be organised by the Minister for Education and Science, the vocational education committees and national and regional youth work organisations.
It was never the intention that the Act would be implemented fully at once. Section 1 of the Act provides for sections to be commenced at different stages. To date, sections 2-17, 18 and 24 have been commenced. A sub-committee of the national youth work advisory committee was established to make recommendations on the requirements necessary for the implementation of the various sections of the Act. This sub-committee comprises representatives of both statutory and voluntary sectors, as well as my Department. The work of this sub-committee is ongoing and preparatory work is taking place in respect of the requirements under sections 19, 20 and 25 of the Act. It will also be necessary for my Department to have further discussions with the IVEA/CEOs' association and the National Youth Council of Ireland on various aspects of the Act. I am not, therefore, in a position at this stage to indicate when the full implementation of the Act will take place.