Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2021
133. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to provide higher education facilities with supports and facilities in order to provide practical creative learning experiences in the field of the arts and music. [16022/21]
View answerMy Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA designated higher education institutions. The HEA allocates this funding as a block grant to the institutions. As higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, the internal disbursement of the allocated funding, including any expenditure on the items queried by the Deputy, are a matter for the individual institutions.
My Department also funds capital projects in the higher education sector. The projects currently being funded which have a direct relationship to the fields of arts and music are outlined below, although other capital projects may also provide facilities for these activities.
Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) Dún Laoghaire
A new 7267m2 Digital Media Building is planned for IADT as part of the Higher Education PPP Programme. This will consist of computer labs, design labs, classroom spaces, the main campus restaurant and ancillary space. In conjunction with decanted space elsewhere on campus, the new building will increase capacity of the institution by 360 students.
Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM)
A major capital development underway at RIAM’s Westland Row Property, this project will present a new centre of excellence in music performance education and affirm RIAM as a top-level conservatoire education in Ireland. The exchequer contribution to the project is €9m overall with €6m being allocated by DFHERIS, a further €3m being allocated by DCHG with the remainder supplied by RIAM.
National College of Art & Design
Funding of €2.2m has been approved for a second phase of high priority Fire Safety and Health & Safety works required across a number of buildings on the NCAD Thomas Street Campus. The College has four faculties – Design, Education, Fine Art and Visual Culture – and offers a large range of art and design degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
My Department has also funded a project led by the National College of Art and Design under the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3. Pillar 3 of the HCI aims to aims to promote innovation and reform in the higher education sector and ensure that courses in areas of skills needs demonstrate innovative methods of teaching and delivery. The Creative Futures Academy funded under this initiative aims to act as a professional catalyst for creative industries in Ireland today including digital and screen culture, cinema, literature and broadcasting, art, design, and fashion. It will address key skills gaps; prepare graduates for work in a major sector of the national economy; and support the early and mid-career needs of creative professionals in fast-changing social, economic, and technological contexts.
