O’Keeffe at odds with North’s minister over autism project

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe and his counterpart in the North, Caitríona Ruane, are expected to get into heated exchanges today over her claims that he has jeopardised a cross-border project for children with autism.

Mr O’Keeffe refused to comment yesterday on any possible political motivation behind criticisms by the Sinn Féin minister ahead of the local, European and Dáil elections next month.

She has expressed anger at the Department of Education withdrawing its commitment to a residential development in Middletown Centre for Autism in Co Armagh.