A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was agreed early 2017 between the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth (DCEDIY and Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI).  This memorandum sets out, inter alia, the role of DCEDIY and ETBI as described in this section.

DCEDIY was established in June 2011 and it is the principal Department to whom  Education and Training Boards report in relation to their youth work functions.  It has a mandate in relation to policy and service provision for children and young people. It comprises a number of interrelated strands, including the direct provision of universal and targeted services, and working to achieve the harmonisation of relevant policy and provision across Government so as to improve outcomes for children, young people and families.

Under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board has been given the legislative responsibility of supporting; “the provision, coordination, administration and assessment of youth work services in its functional area and provid(ing) such information as may be requested by the Minister for DCEDIY in relation to such support.”   (Section 10 (1) (j)

1. Support the Provision of:

• Staff-led Projects across Cavan and Monaghan
• Roll out of grant schemes – Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS); Local Youth Club Equipment Grant (LYCEG); once off Youth Employability.
• Youth work in Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board’s operational area.
• Cavan and Monaghan ETB Youth Work Committee will develop a Youth Work Plan as informed by the National Youth Strategy/ National Youth Policy Framework Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures (2014-2020).

Non-DCEDIY Support and Provision:

• Cavan Parenting
• Monaghan Parenting
• Drug and Alcohol Task Force in Cavan and Monaghan
• Children and Young People’s Services Committee Cavan and Monaghan
• Belturbet Youth Interagency Working Group – Cavan
• PLC Access Programme in Cavan and Monaghan
• Healthy Monaghan

2. Coordination

• Youth Networks in Cavan and Monaghan
• Identify local needs analysis / gaps as informed by Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) progress reports, etc.
• Interagency collaboration with agencies and groups such as Tusla, Children and Young People’s Services Committees, Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF) Local Development Groups, Drugs and Alcohol Task Forces, Irish Youth Justice Service, local authorities, HSE, Comhairle na nÓg, schools, Youthreach and others as appropriate.
• Support and complement formal education.

 3. Administration

DCEDIY Funded Projects:  Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board currently provide an administrative, oversight and governance function to the following DCEDIY funded projects;

Monaghan Youth Service Projects

• ISPCC Monaghan Project – funded through the UBU – Your Place, Your Space funding scheme (https://ubu.gov.ie/) and managed by the ISPCC
• Include Youth Service – funded through the UBU – Your Place, Your Space funding scheme and managed by Youth Work Ireland
• Youth Information Centre – funded by the YIC and managed by Youth Work Ireland

Cavan Youth Service Projects

• Bounce Back South East Cavan – funded by the UBU – Your Place, Your Space funding scheme (https://ubu.gov.ie/) and managed by Youth Work Ireland and the ISPCC
• Bounce Back West Cavan – funded by the UBU – Your Place, Your Space funding scheme managed by Youth Work Ireland and the ISPCC

Non DCEDIY Funded Youth Projects: Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board currently provide an administrative, oversight and governance function to the following non DCEDIY Funded Projects;

Monaghan Youth Service Projects

• Journeys Monaghan – funded by SEUPB and managed by Youth Work Ireland
• Healthy Ireland Strand 3 – CYPSC Monaghan Actions – funded by Pobal

Cavan Youth Service Projects

• Journeys Cavan – funded by SEUPB and managed by Youth Work Ireland
• Healthy Ireland Strand 3 – CYPSC Cavan Actions – funded by Pobal

Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board annually administer The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and carry out Quality Standards for Volunteer Led Youth Groups on behalf of DCEDIY. Once off annual schemes e.g. Youth Capital and Youth Employability are also administered.

 4. Assessment

 National Quality Standards Framework

Implement the roll out and support of the National Quality Standards Framework for youth work services funded by the DCEDIY.  Its aim is to assist youth work organisations to identify strengths and areas for development in their services and to benchmark progress accordingly.  Having done so, services take a structured and developmental approach to the assessment of youth work provision, examining its level, impact and efficacy.  The role of the ETB is to facilitate and oversee this process with with DCEDIY-funded youth work services in its operational area.

National Quality Standards for Volunteer-led Youth Groups

As a natural progression to the NQSF for staff-led projects, the Department has rolled out a set of National Quality Standards for Volunteer-led Youth Groups. They present an opportunity for youth groups to demonstrate their commitment to best practice and to the delivery of quality programmes and activities, which meet the needs and expectations of their young members.  All youth groups funded through the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme are required to engage in the standards process.