Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
404. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made to date under each of the eight commitments in the arts in education charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18860/14]
View answer405. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of meetings held by the arts in education charter high level implementation group since it was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18861/14]
View answer406. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the arts in education charter high level implementation group has held any consultation meetings with key stakeholders as provided for in the charter since it was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18862/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 404 to 406, inclusive, together.
A High Level Implementation Group, chaired by Professor John Coolahan, Professor Emeritus NUI Maynooth, was established to oversee the implementation of the Arts in Education Charter. Its membership includes the Director of the Arts Council, a representative of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, and senior officials from my own Department and the Department of Education and Skills.
The Group has met 17 times to date and has been proactive in meeting organisations from both the arts and education sectors. In accordance with the Charter, the Group has presented its first two formal reports to Minister Quinn and myself on 3 September 2013 and 9 April 2014.
The continued process of holding meetings with stakeholders, as well as receiving submissions from key agencies is in accordance with the provisions under Dialogue and Partnership in the Charter is ongoing.
Progress is being made on a number of initiatives, including :-
- Engagement with the wider education agenda through participation in key events and conferences;
- Ongoing dialogue with the National Cultural Institutions - in particular with the Education, Community and Outreach grouping;
- Engagement on the development of collaborative partnerships between strategic groups such as the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the Arts Council;
- Gathering of information on research that has been undertaken with a relevance to arts education and arts-in-education;
- Development of a website/portal as a key communications and information channel for both the education and arts sectors;
- Development of proposals for an Arts-Rich Schools Scheme to raise interest among school communities in cultivating the arts as a desired feature of school life, and for artists to become involved in the programme;
- Consideration of the best means of providing updated information and guidance on arts-in-education activities; and
- A joint symposium, next month, to further contribute to and enhance the engagement and working relationships between the higher education and the arts sectors.
