§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Irish Government about joint funding of Irish-medium post primary schools in the border region; and if he will make a statement. [94766]
§ Mr. McFall[holding answer 19 October 1999]: 1 have regular discussions with the Irish Minister for Education and Science on topics of mutual interest, including Irish-medium education. Those discussions have not yet involved joint funding of schools, though there is joint funding through the European Peace and Reconciliation Package of teaching materials for Irish-medium primary schools.