Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 3

Written Answers. - Third Level Education.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

370 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the initiatives, if any, being taken by his Department to promote cross Border co-operation in third level education provision; the plans, if any he has to develop this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24093/99]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

380 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the way in which he is promoting North-South cross-Border co-operation in third level educational provision; and the plans, if any, he has in this area. [24127/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 380 together.

Considerable co-operation and collaboration exists across all aspects of third level education. These include initiatives funded under EU programmes such as INTERREG and the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. Projects at Letterkenny, Dundalk and Sligo Institutes of Technology have benefited from co-funding arrangements under INTERREG. Two recent initiatives funded under the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and co-funded by both Governments North and South are the Queen's University-Dublin City University joint initiative – the Centre for Cross Border Studies. This is a university based project set up to research and develop ideas for practical cross-Border co-operation; the Letterkenny Institute of Technology-University of Ulster joint initiative – SME innovative growth which involves the development of business management skills with small-medium enterprises in the border area of the north-west of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The national development plan will build on the links, which have already been established as a basis for developing more closely integrated coherent approaches in the future with clearer policy objectives and outcomes. Activities to be promoted include interactive approaches at university and further education level in areas such as research and development and support for SME's.

The continued development of the peace process, including the establishment of the North-South Ministerial Council will afford even further opportunities to both administrations to take forward and enhance co-operation in this and other agreed areas in the near future.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

371 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to promote community relations and anti-sectarianism initiatives in third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24094/99]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

381 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to promote community relations and anti-sectarianism initiatives in the provision of third level education. [24128/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 381 together.

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.