I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 417 together.
A North/South Committee for the professional endorsement of youth work training was established in October 2005 following detailed discussions between representatives of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee (NYWAC) and the Youth Council of Northern Ireland, National Youth Agency in Leicester and the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. I was happy to launch this initiative with Minister Angela Smith. The establishment of such a committee was recommended in the National Youth Work Development Plan 2003-2007. The Committee's purpose is, having developed a comprehensive framework for accreditation and certification in youth work on an All Ireland basis, to professionally endorse relevant youth work qualifications provided in the first instance by Higher Education Institutions. In this regard, the Dundalk Institute of Technology had its Degree Programme in Youth Work endorsed for accreditation in September 2006 by the Committee. Submissions from the University of Ulster at Jordanstown and the National University of Ireland, Maynooth for endorsement of their youth work courses are being considered by the Committee at present.