Vol. 435 No. 5
37 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he has had meetings with the Minister for Education in relation to the state of art and music in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department is interested not only in art and music in the educational system but also in dance, drama and media studies. It also goes without saying that the role and status of the Irish language in our schools is also an important aspect of educational provision in which my Department takes a major interest.
I have discussed these matters with the Minister for Education and my office has had a number of meetings with officers of the Department of Education to discuss the way in which the arts in their totality might be addressed in the White Paper. Documents have also been exchanged, and the question of arts and music has received attention in this context and in the light of the proposals of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, published last March.
I also attended the presentation by the Chairman of the Arts Council to the national Convention on Education and I believe that there will be a positive and constructive approach to all the arts in our schools in the coming years, and not just art and music.
