This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8411353.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ministers hold north-south talks Autism centre 'is back on track'
(about 5 hours later)
Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers are to join Irish premier Brian Cowen at a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC). An all-Ireland centre for children with autism is back on track after the Irish government ended a pause in funding.
Ministers are expected to review the work of the six cross-border bodies and co-operation in the north west. Irish prime minister Brian Cowen said his government would return to backing the Middletown Centre of Excellence.
The devolution of justice will not be on the formal agenda, but may be raised on the margins of the meeting. In May, the centre's future was in doubt, when the Dail withdrew finances citing economic pressure.
The decision was announced at a meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council, which involved Mr Cowen, and NI's First and Deputy First Ministers in Limavady.
Education departments in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic have been equally financing the Middletown project.
The centre was approved in 2002 but has only opened in a limited way.
It is understood that £6m has already been spent on the centre.
It currently carries out research and training for professionals who work within the autism field, but the eventual aim had been to take children in.
The next stage of building a residential block for assessment and therapy, and employing extra staff, was at jeopardy because of the shortage of funds.
At the meeting on Monday, plans to progress a new road project from Aughnacloy to Londonderry and on to Donegal were also agreed.
The economy and ways in which the North and South could cooperate more to the advantage of both parties, were also discussed.
Brian Cowen said resolute leadership was needed
The devolution of justice was not on the agenda.
The DUP and Sinn Fein are divided over the timing of the devolution of law and order powers to the assembly.The DUP and Sinn Fein are divided over the timing of the devolution of law and order powers to the assembly.
Republican deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has accused DUP First Minister Peter Robinson of delaying a deal, and has called for agreement by Christmas to avoid a crisis. Mr McGuinness has accused Mr Robinson of delaying a deal and has called for agreement by Christmas to avoid a crisis.
Mr Cowen said Monday's meeting, in Limavady, County Londonderry, should be an opportunity to build for the future. Speaking prior to the meeting, Mr Cowen said it should be an opportunity to build for the future.
"The scale of the economic challenge facing everyone on this island is now fully recognised by all," he said."The scale of the economic challenge facing everyone on this island is now fully recognised by all," he said.
"Meeting that challenge has called for resolute leadership in taking difficult decisions, as we build towards economic recovery."Meeting that challenge has called for resolute leadership in taking difficult decisions, as we build towards economic recovery.
"Resolute leadership has also been at the heart of the peace process and the transformation in relationships on this island in recent years.""Resolute leadership has also been at the heart of the peace process and the transformation in relationships on this island in recent years."
His government last week unveiled a tough budget aimed at rescuing the Irish Republic's crisis-hit economy.His government last week unveiled a tough budget aimed at rescuing the Irish Republic's crisis-hit economy.
But the NSMC's agenda includes a series of programmes organised to encourage economic development on both sides of the border.But the NSMC's agenda includes a series of programmes organised to encourage economic development on both sides of the border.
"The North/South Ministerial Council has its 10th anniversary this month and today's meeting is an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved in those ten years," he said."The North/South Ministerial Council has its 10th anniversary this month and today's meeting is an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved in those ten years," he said.
"But, more importantly, it is a time to work together to make the most of our transformed relationship to help all of our people through this recession, to build a successful smart economy on this island and to provide better, more joined up and more cost-effective public services.""But, more importantly, it is a time to work together to make the most of our transformed relationship to help all of our people through this recession, to build a successful smart economy on this island and to provide better, more joined up and more cost-effective public services."