Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 394: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on the work of the North-South unit in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22595/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, together with the Department of Education Northern Ireland, has responsibility for the development of co-operation and common action in the field of education between both parts of the island of Ireland, in the context of the Good Friday Agreement. My Department's North/South Unit is required to take forward this co-operation through the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and to develop, within that framework, common policies in the designated areas of special education needs, educational underachievement, teacher mobility and school, youth and teacher exchanges.

My Department's North South Unit also develops, supports and participates in a range of programmes and joint initiatives designed to increase mutual understanding and promote closer co-operation. A number of these extend beyond the island of Ireland, involving co-operation with education authorities in Britain, the United States, the European Union and other countries and institutions with a view to maximising the positive contribution they can make to North/South co-operation.

The re-establishment of the NI Assembly structures including the North South Ministerial Council will present opportunities to enrich and develop cooperative activities with Northern Ireland in the education and youth sector.

The next Education Sectoral meeting of the NSMC will take place in Dublin in November 2007.