Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 October 2016
183. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to develop musical education and make instruments available to young persons and the general population through facilitating schools, youth groups and libraries in enhancing their music resources and the provision of access to musical training and instruments for the benefit of local communities. [31299/16]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts including music throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. In this regard, I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council as part of Budget 2017. This will see an increase in the Arts Council allocation of €5 m, or 8%. The Arts Council’s ten-year strategy Making Great Art Work sets out how it will lead the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade. Making Great Art Work places specific emphasis on the need to plan and provide for children and young people. The strategy also commits to working to achieve full implementation of the Arts in Education Charter.
I am firmly committed to continuing the work of the on-going partnership between my own Department, the Department of Education and Skills and the Arts Council, in line with the Arts in Education Charter. In this regard, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the continued implementation of the Arts in Education Charter.
My Department provides funding to Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann (CCE) for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. This year, funding of €1,448,000 will be provided to CCE by my Department. CCE provide weekly classes in a variety of traditional instruments, singing, and dance through its network of centres and branches all over the country as well as summer schools. CCE maintains a full schedule of educational events, such as lectures, exhibitions, workshops and concerts, sometimes in conjunction with the Fleadhanna Cheoil.
The Music Capital Scheme is funded by my Department and managed by Music Network. Under the scheme, grants are made available to groups and talented individuals to support the purchase of musical instruments. Further details are available on the website of Music network at www.musicnetwork.ie.
