Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:89 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the recent European Commission communication, Towards a Europe of Knowledge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21691/97]
Written Answers. - EU Education Programme.
The EU Commission document, Towards a Europe of Knowledge, outlines the Commission's proposals in relation to the policy principles which will underpin the next generation of programmes at EU level to carry forward and build on the developments which have taken place in the area of education, training and youth under the Socrates, Leonardo Da Vinci and Youth For Europe programmes.
The communication was presented to the European Council in Brussels on 20 November 1997. An initial discussion took place on the presentation by Mde Edith Cresson, EU Commissioner responsible for education, training and youth. During this debate, I welcomed the general thrust of the priority actions identified in the communication and welcomed, in particular, the emphasis on knowledge policies and on measures to promote mobility.
The communication will be the subject of detailed consideration within the Council and the European Parliament in the coming months. I expect that there will be a constructive debate on the priorities for the next generation of EU level programmes in education, training and youth and that this will lead to the adoption of legal texts in sufficient time to ensure the satisfactory implementation of the programmes at EU and member state level.