Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 141: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the recent decision by the High Court in Belfast to deny access to Derry schools to children whose parents have moved just over the border to County Donegal, resulting in the displacement of these children; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that similar practices take place in every city on the island as city residents move out to surrounding villages and smaller towns for quality of life or affordability reasons but continue their children's education in the school from their previous address; and if she will liaise with her northern counterpart, Minister for Education, Ms Caitríona Ruane, to resolve this issue which has arisen as a result of the separate educational jurisdictions on this island. [26677/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In relation to schools under the aegis of the Department of Education and Science, it is a matter for the managerial authorities to determine enrolment policies. In doing so, they must act in accordance with the requirements of the Education Act 1998 and equal status legislation. Enrolment policies in Northern Ireland are a matter for the relevant Northern Ireland authorities.

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 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.

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.