Youth Work Act

QUESTION NO: 192 addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Andrews)for WRITTEN ANSWER on 10/07/2008

* To ask the Minister for Health and Children her proposals with regard to the transfer of youth work responsibilities from the Department of Education and Science to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. David Stanton T.D.

REPLY.

It is proposed that the responsibility for the following programmes and services will be transferred to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Youth Services Grant Scheme

Special Projects for Youth Scheme

Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (Round 1)

Youth Information Centres

Local Youth Club Grant Scheme

Gaisce – the President’s Award, and

A number of other youth and youth related programmes and services such as the

National Youth Arts Programme and the National Youth Health Programme.

These programmes and services, valued at approx €52m, are currently being administered by the Department of Education and Science, and it is hoped to have the Transfer of Function Order signed and the transfer of funding in place in the coming months. The Department of Health and Children has commenced making administrative provision for the transfer of staff from the Department of Education and Science to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF – Round 2) develops youth facilities (including sport & recreational facilities) and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. By attracting young people into these facilities and activities, it aims to divert them away from the dangers of substance misuse. The Fund’s target group is 10 -21 year olds who are “at risk” due to factors such as family circumstances, educational disadvantage or involvement in crime/substance misuse. Over €150m has been allocated to date to support a broad range of services and projects under the Fund.

A draft Order transferring the YPFSF (Round 2) to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) is currently being prepared by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, in consultation with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The draft Order will then be submitted to the Department of Finance who will bring a Memorandum to Government transferring functions from both the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Education and Science to the OMCYA.

The location of all these youth programmes within the one overall policy framework of the OMCYA should facilitate the development of a more strategic approach to youth affairs across the country.

Uimhir:696

To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the responsibility for youth services as outlined in Sections 9, 13 and 19 of the Youth Work Act 2001 is to be transferred to the vocational education committees; if so, when these sections are to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.– David Stanton.

* For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 10th July, 2008. Reference Number: 28934/08

Freagra

Minister of State for the Department of Education and Science (Barry Andrews, T.D.)Section 1 of the Youth Work Act, 2001 provides for sections to be commenced at different stages. Sections 2-7, 17, 18 and 24 have been commenced to date.

A sub-committee of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee (NYWAC), representative of both statutory and voluntary sectors as well as of my Department, has been progressing the groundwork, including the development of detailed guidelines and procedures, which are vital for the further coherent implementation of the Act. The work of NYWAC continues in this regard.

Significant progress has been made since 2006 in the roll out of the Act at local level. A structure for the resourcing of VECs to carry out the functions set out for them under the Youth Work Act, 2001 was agreed between my Department and the Irish Vocational Education Association (on behalf of the 33 VECs) in July 2006. This structure provided for the appointment of a number of Youth Officers (21.5 posts) to be shared by 25 VECs and outlined the salary scale and functions of the posts. In addition, existing posts in the remaining eight VECs were re-desingated as Youth Officer posts.

I will determine further sections of the Act for implementation, having regard to the advice of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee, as the necessary procedures are finalised and as resources permit.

Uimhir: 399, * For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 4th March, 2008.

To ask the Minister for Education and Science the sections of the Youth Work Act 2001 that have been enacted; the timescale for the implementation of the remaining sections of the Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter.- David Stanton.

Freagra

Minister of State for the Department of Education and Science (Seán Haughey, T.D.)

Section 1 of the Youth Work Act, 2001 provides for sections to be commenced at different stages. Sections 2-7, 17, 18 and 24 have been commenced to date.

A sub-committee of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee (NYWAC), representative of both statutory and voluntary sectors as well as of my Department, has been progressing the groundwork, including the development of detailed guidelines and procedures, which are vital for the further coherent implementation of the Act. The work of this sub-committee is continuing.

Significant progress has been made since 2006 in the roll out of the Act at local level. A structure for the resourcing of VECs to carry out the functions set out for them under the Youth Work Act, 2001 was agreed between my Department and the Irish Vocational Education Association (on behalf of the 33 VECs) in July 2006. This structure provided for the appointment of a number of Youth Officers (21.5 posts) to be shared by 25 VECs and outlined the salary scale and functions of the posts. In addition, existing posts in the remaining eight VECs were re-desingated as Youth Officer posts.

I will determine further sections of the Act for implementation, having regard to the advice of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee, as the necessary procedures are finalised and as resources permit.