The number of children of migrant families at schools in Northern Ireland has increased by 40 per cent.
Costs involved in teaching them English as a second language also rose and is expected to get even higher, according to employment and learning minister Sir Reg Empey.
He is to have talks in Dublin today with Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin.
The management of migrant workers on both sides of the Border is expected to be discussed.
Last night, Sir Reg said: "There are concerns that, if in the event of the economy tightening a bit, what would be the impact of migrant workers competing with local people for jobs and houses.
"What problems would that create, and what sort of social impact would it have?"
