Written Answers. - Official Engagements. – Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil) – Thursday, 14 Dec 2000

Written Answers. - Official Engagements.

Ceist:
258 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of meetings he has held with his ministerial counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive; the topics that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30376/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I had meetings with Mr. Martin McGuinness, MLA, Minister for Education, as follows:

February 2000 (Dublin), North-South Ministerial Council in Education Sector Format.

July 2000 (Cultra), North-South Ministerial Council in Education Sector Format.

November 2000 (Dublin), Bilateral Meeting.

The topics I discussed with Minister McGuinness included education for children with special needs, educational underachievement, teacher qualifications and school, youth and teacher exchange. These are agreed areas for co-operation under the North-South Ministerial Council. Other issues discussed included co-operation in relation to EU programmes and trilateral co-operation with the United States.

I met Dr. Seán Farren, MLA, Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment as follows:

September 2000 (Dublin), Bilateral Meeting. At this meeting the potential scope for co-operation in relation to further and higher education was discussed.

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht - Thursday, 14 Dec 2000