HL Deb 19 January 2005 vol 668 c101WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the centre of excellence for the education of children with autism in Middletown, County Armagh, which was endorsed by the North/South Ministerial Council on 11 April 2002 was envisaged as part of the Belfast agreement of 1998; and, if not, what is the basis for its inclusion as a cross-border activity. [HL650]

Baroness Amos

The Belfast agreement of 1998 did not specifically envisage the centre of excellence for the education of children with autism, in Middletown, County Armagh. In accordance with paragraph 8 of Strand 2 of the agreement, the North/South Ministerial Council agreed on 1 December 1999 that education should be one of the six areas for co-operation. It also agreed that education for children with special needs (e.g. autism, hearing impairment) would be suitable for initial consideration in this sector.