Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 6

Written Answers. - North-South Ministerial Council.

Seán Haughey

Question:

408 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress, if any, that has been made in relation to education as an area of co-operation under the North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9161/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Within the context of the Good Friday Agreement provision was made for the North-South Ministerial Council to have an education sector format within which the Ministers for Education, North and South, could agree the basis for taking forward matters for co-operation having regard to the common concerns and interests of both sides. It was agreed that, initially, the focus would be on co-operation in relation to education for children with special needs, educational under-achievement, teacher qualifications, and school, youth and teacher exchanges.

The first meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in Education was held on 3 February 2000 shortly before the suspension of the Northern Assembly and Executive. The council agreed to establish a number of joint working groups charged with delivering concrete progress in each of the matters for co-operation. Specifically, the council agreed to establish a North-South special education co-ordination group, joint working groups on key issues in the area of educational under achievement and a teachers' working group to examine issues related to teacher mobility including the issue of the transfer of pension rights.

The council also agreed to commission an evaluation of the range and effectiveness of the current initiatives in the area of school, youth and teacher exchanges. This will be undertaken under the auspices of a steering committee representative of both administrations. This study will, it is anticipated, lead to the adoption of a coherent integrated strategy for future co-operation in these matters.

The platform created by the decisions of the NSMC meeting will provide the planning context for the immediate future and I anticipate that the Departments will be able to progress matters in these areas as well as other areas of common interest.