Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
219. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the nature and range of programmes and joint initiatives that have been designated to increase mutual understanding and promote closer co-operation, North and South. [54375/12]
View answerMy Department funds a number of projects which have a cross-border dimension and include among their objectives increasing mutual understanding and advancing peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. Details of these joint programmes are set out in the attached table. In addition to these ongoing programmes, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Education, Northern Ireland are currently undertaking a joint survey to inform cross-border pupil movement and school planning. The survey is designed to establish the current and future schooling capacity and need in border regions, the level of demand from parents and young people for schools across the border and how obstacles may be removed. It is intended that the results of this survey will be made available at the NSMC Education Sector meeting on 27th February 2013.
Department of Education and Skills North South Co-operation Projects & Programmes
|
Name |
Target Grouping |
Irish Government Department/Agency |
Northern Ireland Executive Department/Agency |
|
Children’s Book Week – annual event to promote reading among children |
School, Youth, Teachers and Parents |
Dept. Education & Skills |
Dept. Education Northern Ireland |
|
Cinemagic – annual film festival for young people from 4 to 25 years of age |
School, Youth, Adults & Teachers |
Dept. Education & Skills |
- Dept. of Culture, Arts & Leisure NI - Northern Ireland Screen |
|
Dissolving Boundaries – links schools North and South in partnerships forged through the Internet and school exchanges |
School, Youth & Teachers |
Dept. Education & Skills |
Dept. Education Northern Ireland |
|
European Studies Project – through co-operative projects at post primary level enhances children’s’ awareness of EU social, economic and political issues and structures |
School, Youth & Teachers |
Dept. Education & Skills |
Dept. Education Northern Ireland |
|
Irish Science Olympiad – brings together science students from the 32 counties in friendly competition for selection to an all island team for the International Science Olympiad |
School, Youth & Teachers |
Dept. Education & Skills |
Dept. Education Northern Ireland |
|
Maths Week Ireland – promotes awareness, appreciation and understanding of mathematics throughout the island of Ireland |
School, Youth, Teachers and Parents |
Dept. Education & Skills |
Dept. Education Northern Ireland |
|
Pushkin Prizes – promotes creativity in adults and children through the medium of the arts and the natural environment |
School, Youth, Adults & Teachers |
Dept. Education & Skills |
Dept. Education Northern Ireland |
|
Centre for Cross Border Studies – researches and develops cross-border in education and other social and economic disciplines. |
3rd Level |
Dept. Education & Skills |
- |
|
Dare to be Digital – a video games development competition for third level students |
3rd Level |
Dept. Education & Skills |
- |
|
George Mitchell Scholarships - provides third level scholarships to enable US university graduates to pursue a year of study at institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland |
3rd Level |
Dept. Education & Skills |
Dept. of Employment & Learning NI |
|
Glór na nGael – non-political, non-sectarian programme that seeks to strengthen and expand people’s ability to use the Irish language |
3rd Level |
Dept. Education & Skills |
- |
|
Standing Conference on Teacher Education North/South (SCoTENS) |
3rd Level |
Dept. Education & Skills |
- Dept. Education Northern Ireland - Dept. of Employment & Learning NI |
|
Universities Ireland – promotes co-operation and collaboration between universities North and South and to enhance their reputations in Europe and elsewhere |
3rd Level |
Dept. Education & Skills |
- Dept. of Employment & Learning NI |
|
Washington Ireland Programme – enables promising university students from all traditions on the island of Ireland to participate in a six-month programme of personal and professional leadership development |
3rd Level |
Dept. Education & Skills |
Office of First Minister & Deputy First Minister Northern Ireland |
