Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I previously raised the issue of the North-South Ministerial Council meetings in the context of a different Department. One such meeting took place recently on education. Does a facility exist whereby we can make a contribution before the meetings are held or at least hear from the relevant Minister directly afterwards? After the most recent meeting, officials were asked to bring forward literacy and numeracy initiatives, a subject on which many Senators, as former teachers, may have an opinion.

Much work has been done on cross-Border youth and teacher exchanges, yet a fundamental problem has arisen along the Border of people moving to the Republic but keeping their children in Northern schools. This so-called grannying issue is important enough for the Minister for Education and Science to raise at North-South Ministerial Council meetings. How can we anticipate the number of schools and places needed if people who move to the Republic continue to use the services in the Six Counties? On the other hand, strict implementation of the rules could result in a massive influx and a situation similar to that in Dublin 15 and elsewhere.

I ask for the opportunity to raise these and other issues, such as child protection and teacher qualification recognition. Many schools in County Donegal are unable to recruit French teachers because candidates cannot receive recognition on a North-South basis.

Issues also arise in respect of special education. The autism facility is being moved from Armagh but questions remain about access to music therapy, which is simple in the North.