Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 4

Written Answers. - Visual Arts.

John Perry

Question:

239 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to introduce art teaching in primary schools; if he has received an application from a person (details supplied) in County Sligo who is an established artist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21025/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

There is no record in my Department of the application referred to by the Deputy.

In primary schools the visual arts are taught as an integral component of an integrated curriculum by class teachers. The integration of subject areas is a key principle of the revised primary curriculum and a cornerstone of teaching methodology in primary schools. There are no plans at present to introduce a scheme for instruction in the visual arts by parties external to school teaching staffs.