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Brexit Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 March 2021

Thursday, 4 March 2021

Questions (160)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he proposes to continue to support joint cross-Border activities on the island of Ireland with particular reference to addressing concerns arising from Brexit; if his Department will continue to support initiatives such as apprenticeship training or retraining with a view to addressing issues of social or economic deprivation on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12469/21]

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Written answers

My Department is committed to the enhancement of all aspects of our work relating to North South cooperation and the all-island economy. Specifically, I have prioritised regular bilateral engagements on a North-South basis, both at Ministerial and Official level in order to pursue a strong agenda of colleaboration of areas of mutual interest.

In this regard, my Department has collaborated very closely with the Department of the Economy in Northern Ireland on the development of a proposal to address skills needs in the 6 border counties and Northern Ireland, as part of the forthcoming PEACE PLUS programme. The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) are preparing a public consultation on the draft programme, and we must await the outcome of this process, and the associated approval process, before engaging on its delivery.

I can assure the Deputy that this programme will facilitate the development of innovative cross-border responses in the area of skills, including re-skilling.

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