8.—(1) The Minister, as far as practicable, shall—

(a) ensure the development and co-ordination of policies relating to youth work programmes and youth work services in both the Irish and the English languages,

(b) ensure the co-ordination of youth work programmes and youth work services with education programmes and other programmes that provide services for young persons,

(c) provide, from within the financial resources available to the Minister, moneys in each financial year to assist in the provision of youth work programmes and youth work services,

(d) conduct research or cause research to be conducted in respect of youth work, including youth work programmes and youth work services in one or more F4[education and training board areas],

(e) monitor, at least once in each financial year, a youth work programme or a youth work service receiving moneys under this Act, including a youth work programme or a youth work service provided by a voluntary youth work organisation receiving moneys provided under sections 9(1)(a) and 34,

(f) subject to section 16, carry out an assessment, at least once in every 3 years, of a youth work programme or a youth work service provided by an approved national voluntary youth work organisation, a designated local voluntary youth work organisation or an authorised organisation in receipt of moneys under section 34,

(g) subject to section 16, carry out an assessment, at least once in every 3 years, of a youth work programme or a youth work service referred to in section 9(1)(a) and for which moneys are provided by F4[an education and training board],

(h) subject to section 16, carry out an assessment, at least once in every 3 years, of a youth work programme or a youth work service provided in accordance with a resolution of F4[an education and training board] under section 11(5), and

(i) appoint a National Youth Work Advisory Committee under section 17.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Minister, in performing his or her functions, shall have regard to—

(a) the treatment of male and female young persons, respectively, in relation to access to youth work,

(b) the number of male and female young persons, respectively, who are likely to participate in the youth work programmes and youth work services, and

(c) youth work requirements of persons who have attained the age of 10 years but not 21 years who reside in a Gaeltacht area and/or whose first language is Irish.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1)(c), the Minister shall endeavour to ensure—

(a) that regard is had to the information needs of young persons, and

(b) that particular regard be had to the youth work requirements of—

(i) persons who have attained the age of 10 years but not 21 years, and

(ii) other young persons who are socially or economically disadvantaged.

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1)(e), (f), (g) and (h), in the monitoring and assessment of a youth work programme or a youth work service, the Minister shall have regard to any evaluation of the expenditure incurred in the provision of the programme or service.

(5) The Minister may, following an assessment under subsection (1)(f) and consideration of any representations in writing made by the organisation providing the youth work programme or youth work service so assessed made within 21 days after receipt by the organisation of the report of the assessment, give directions to the organisation in relation to the manner in which the programme or service is provided, and the organisation shall comply with the directions.

(6) The Minister may, following an assessment under subsection (1)(g) and consideration of any representations in writing made by the organisation providing the youth work programme or youth work service so assessed made within 21 days after receipt by the organisation of the report of the assessment, give directions to the organisation in relation to the manner in which the youth work programme or youth work service is provided, and the organisation shall comply with the directions.

(7) The Minister may, following an assessment under subsection (1)(h) and consideration of any representations in writing made by the F4[education and training board] providing the youth work programme or youth work service so assessed made within 21 days after receipt by the F4[education and training board] of the report of the assessment, give directions to the F4[education and training board] in relation to the manner in which the youth work programme or youth work service is provided, and the F4[education and training board] shall comply with the directions.

(8) The Minister may, from time to time, by order, direct any 2 or more F4[education and training boards] to enter into an arrangement for the joint exercise of their powers and functions under this Act subject to such terms and conditions as the Minister considers appropriate and, if a question arises between F4[the boards] in relation to such an arrangement it shall be referred to the Minister whose decision on the matter shall be final.

(9) The Minister may by order amend or revoke an order under subsection (8) and an order under this subsection.