The first all-Ireland centre for children with autism is to be set up in Armagh by the Ministers for Education, North and South, Mr Martin McGuinness and Dr Woods.
It will give expert advice and guidance to policymakers, and will have residential places for children from North and South.
Provision for autistic children has become an issue in the last two years, with the Jamie Sinnott case highlighting the lack of services for children with special needs.
The centre will also have a heated swimming pool, a gymnasium and rooms for the parents and teachers of autistic children.
Dr Woods said the centre would be sited at Middleton in Co Armagh, a short distance from the Border. It would be located on premises being acquired jointly by the Departments for Education, North and South, from the St Louis Order, he said.
"Primarily, the role of the centre will be to research and monitor best practice in the diagnosis and education of children with autism. It will establish and maintain itself as a core resource for teachers, parents and others who care for such children," said Dr Woods.
"I look to the new centre for the guidance to raise the standards of education and care for children with autism throughout the island of Ireland," said Dr Woods.
Services will include:
• A specialist diagnostic and assessment support/ referral centre
• An education centre
• a training centre for education and healthcare personnel
• a research centre.