The Youth Work Functions of LOETB as defined under Section 10 (j) of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, is … “to support the provision, coordination, administration and assessment of Youth Work services in its functional areas and provide such information as may be requested by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to such support”.

The Youth Work Act 2001 provides a legal framework for the provision of Youth Work programmes and services and gives statutory responsibility at national level to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and at local level to the ETB’s for the development of youth work and its co-operation with other services to young people. The role of the Youth Officer is to co-ordinate these functions on behalf of the LOETB.

The Youth Work Act 2001

In this Act, “Youth Work” means a planned programme of education designed for the purpose of aiding and enhancing the personal and social development of young persons through their voluntary participation and which is;

• Complimentary to their formal, academic or vocational education and training; and
• Provided primarily by voluntary youth work organisations.

The Youth Work Act 2001 ensures that

• Youth Work is for all young people (10-24 years)
• Promotes diversity of provision
• Encourages and support voluntarism
• Promotes quality standards in management and youth work practice
• Promotes the active participation in decision making in youth groups
• Allocates resources to meet needs

Links to

Youth Work Act 2001

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2001/act/42/enacted/en/html

Education and Training Boards Act 2013

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2013/act/11/enacted/en/html