Vol. 513 No. 6
62 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress, if any, which will be made during 2000 on the proposed Academy for the Performing Arts, the role, if any, his Department will play in regard to the academy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2490/00]
64 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science the relevant bodies and groups considered appropriate to plan the detailed development of the Academy for the Performing Arts on the planning and steering group which will have representation from his Department and the Departments of Finance and Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2335/00]
65 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if he is satisfied that the consultation carried out by a person (details supplied) was adequate and appropriate to underpin the capital project expenditure proposal of £35 million for the Academy for the Performing Arts which has significant current revenue implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2348/00]
80 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if the relevant bodies and groups considered appropriate to plan the detailed development of the performing arts as part of the planning and steering group for the Academy for the Performing Arts will be representative of the country as a whole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2350/00]
95 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of the reference in section 6 of the Renshaw report to likely rationalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2370/00]
99 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the efforts, if any, being made to bring aspects of the Academy for the Performing Arts to the north west region, whether as a cross-Border or other venture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2196/00]
131 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if representatives of existing providers of third level arts education will be excluded from the planning and steering groups to plan detailed development of the Academy for the Performing Arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2349/00]
134 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science if student places and disciplines to be provided by the Academy for the Performing Arts will be in addition to the present provision for the arts in third level colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2334/00]
161 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which the £35 million capital cost for the Academy for the Performing Arts was arrived at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2336/00]
452 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the legislation, if any, required to set up the Academy for the Performing Arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3464/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 64, 65, 80, 95, 99, 131, 134, 161 and 452 together.
As there are three questions submitted under oral questions, 18 minutes will be allocated to this question if necessary.
The programme for Government identified as a key priority the establishment of a Dublin centre for the performing arts, incorporating a conservatoire. The establishment of a planning and steering group to plan for the development of the Academy of the Performing Arts was announced by my predecessor on 27 January. The planning group will develop, advise on, facilitate and monitor the process of establishing the proposed academy. The group will be chaired by Dr. Danny O'Hare, former President of Dublin City University.
The planning and steering group includes representation from my Department, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, the Department of Finance, the Higher Education Authority, third level institutions, the Arts Council and bodies providing professional education and training in music, dance and drama. As part of its work the group will consult widely with interested parties. The proposals on the academy are derived from the recommendations in a report prepared by Dr. Peter Renshaw, Head of Research and Development, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. Dr. Renshaw consulted widely with a range of interests involved in broadcasting, drama, music, dance, education and the arts in general.
In section 6 of his report, Dr. Renshaw indicates that the nodal model approach proposed for the academy ameliorates the need to rationalise existing courses or to amalgamate particular organisations. The planning and steering group is to make proposals about the longer term possibility of transferring elements of other educational bodies in the fields of music and drama to the academy and the facilities required and of incorporating other disciplines to make it a fully multi-disciplinary institution. Dr. Renshaw also indicated in his report that one of the strongest features of the academy would be the opportunity to act as a catalyst for the continuing professional development of artists, teachers and arts managers throughout the whole of Ireland.
The capital estimate of £35 million for the academy was prepared by my Department on the basis of a feasibility study prepared by consultants and its experience of capital building costs. One of the tasks of the planning and steering group, with the assistance of sub-groups or individuals as appropriate, will be to make proposals regarding the legal base for the establishment of the academy and the appointment of a governing authority.
What consultations took place with the Dublin Institute of Technology, and in so far as it has responsibility for the municipal school of music and the conservatoire of music and drama, will it be represented on any steering group? The Minister referred to the multi-nodal nature of the proposal. Does this mean the academy will be located only in the venues mentioned by his predecessor, Deputy Martin, and his colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands? If it is located in only Dublin and Limerick, how will it be multi-nodal? Is the Minister happy to neglect an area north of the line from Drogheda to Limerick? I would like a written reply from him on this. What about places where chairs of music exist, such as at UCG, which have not been funded? Is it the intention that these will migrate to the new academy? What about the areas that have nothing?
I note the Deputy's comments on Galway. The establishment of a Dublin centre for the performing arts incorporating a conservatoire is a key priority of An Action Programme for the Millennium.
I thought it was to be a national body.
It will be a national body based in Dublin. That was what was put to the people prior to the last general election. The idea at this stage is to incorporate a headquarters and significant facilities on a site to be provided on the DCU campus, to have a Limerick campus developing the existing Irish World Music Centre at the University of Limerick and to have an undergraduate professional dance facility based at the Firkin Crane Dance Development Agency in Cork. If the Deputy can propose a venue in Galway I will ask the steering committee to consider it. I will also bear in mind his remarks on Galway.
I note the Minister's offer to consider a location in Galway. In a proposal to establish a national performing arts centre, one would assume there would be one centre. However, given the reference to nodal points and to Dublin, Limerick and Cork, some people may feel excluded. Usually the imaginary area, referred to by Deputy Higgins, is located north of the line from Dublin to Galway, but this proposal does not even incorporate Galway. If there is to be a regional spread it should incorporate all parts of the island.
Does the Minister accept arts activities in Northern Ireland are very strong? Will he accept that the arts Bill in Northern Ireland is very strong and that places like Donegal have made submissions to the Department on cross-Border development and co-operation in music, performance and other arts between Donegal and Derry, for example?
And Letterkenny.
When I speak of Donegal I include Letterkenny, although I feel that at times Inishowen does not include Donegal. I ask the Minister to very seriously take on board the submission made by the VEC in this context. I am aware of the two levels of performing arts.
There are two issues relating to the Dublin Institute of Technology. The planning and steering group includes Dublin City University, Dagda dance company, the HEA, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Cork Institute of Technology, University of Limerick, the Arts Council, the Gaiety School of Acting and the Department of Education and Science. The Dublin Institute of Technology is on the list of those which were consulted.
I have noted what has been said about Donegal in terms of spread and involvement. I am very familiar with Donegal and while I was talking about Galway I was thinking about Donegal as well. I will examine the issue as it is important that development is as inclusive as possible.
Does the Minister agree that it would be extraordinary if an institution with 1,500 part-time and 200 full-time students and 100 staff did not have something to say about the functioning of the new academy? Will the Minister give an explicit assurance that this capital provision, which has a knock-on in the national plan, will not prejudice such capital investment as is necessary and as was envisaged in the PIANO report? This is a very important issue.
I take it this is a special millennium project and is separate from other continuing work in relation to the PIANO report, and the other work of my Department.
I will not ask the Minister about a centre on the northside.
I presume the Deputy is happy enough with DCU.
Does the Minister agree that this very welcome commitment of £35 million is in stark contrast to the position in primary and secondary schools where music education is often given by teachers who are insecure and working irregular hours on a shoestring?
Yes, 10,000 tin whistles.
Does the Minister agree that we need to seriously address this in terms of music development and that developments at the upper end will die for want of nourishment at the roots?
I very much agree. There are other things in the curriculum which I would also like to see developed. For example, I would like to see it including something relating to our maritime nation. As Members will appreciate we have lost sight of this over the years, although there is a growing awareness of it.
We once had a piano at home but I did not learn the piano – I had to sing without it when I was a child. My older brother and sister did learn the piano.
So the Minister ended up in politics.
I managed to become a member of the Synge Street special choir. I agree very much with what the Deputy said and will keep it in mind.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
