Eamon Gilmore
Question:79 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to promote community relations and anti-sectarianism initiatives in third level educational provision. [25362/99]
Written Answers. - Community Relations in Schools.
Considerable co-operation exists across all aspects of the education sectors north and south, ranging from primary to higher education and embracing libraries, youth, arts and sports.
Specifically in relation to the third level sector, my Department has provided grant aid to the Irish School of Ecumenics which offers courses at postgraduate level in ecumenical studies and peace studies, with the awards being made by Trinity College Dublin. I understand also that the ISE has a major project "Moving Beyond Sectarianism" which is in progress in Northern Ireland. The University of Limerick also offers a postgraduate programme in peace and development studies.
The brief of the higher education equality unit focuses on issues of equality which includes equality issues relating to religious or political belief. The unit, which was established in 1992 to promote equality in higher education, works with all third level institutions raising awareness of issues of educational equality and encouraging and assisting in the development of good policy and practice.
In the context of the continued development of the peace process, there will be further opportunities to enhance co-operation between third level institutions on the island which will foster mutual understanding and respect.
Judging by the response to the recent competition for psychologists to work in the national educational psychological service, it would appear that there are sufficient numbers of suitably qualified psychologists available to meet the projected needs of the service.