Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2016
618. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to develop musical education and instruments available to young persons and the general population through facilitating schools, youth groups and libraries in enhancing their music resources and the provision of access to musical training and instruments for the benefit of local communities. [13607/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the main channel of the State's current expenditure on the arts and will receive over €60 million in 2016. The Arts Council’s ten-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025) set outs how it will lead the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade. Making Great Art Work places specific emphasis on the need to plan and provide for children and young people. The strategy also commits to working to achieve full implementation of the Arts in Education Charter.
I am firmly committed to continuing the work of the on-going partnership between my Department, the Department of Education and Skills and the Arts Council, in line with the Arts in Education Charter. In this regard, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the continued implementation of the Arts in Education Charter.
My Department provides funding to Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann (CCE) for their work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. This year, funding of €1,448,000 will be provided to Comhaltas by my Department. CCE provide weekly classes in a variety of traditional instruments, singing, and dance through its network of centres and branches all over the country as well as summer schools. CCE maintains a full schedule of educational events, such as lectures, exhibitions, workshops and concerts, sometimes in conjunction with the Fleadhanna Cheoil.
The Music Capital Scheme is funded by my Department and managed by Music Network. Under the scheme, grants are made available to groups and talented individuals to support the purchase of musical instruments. Further details are available on the website of Music network at www.musicnetwork.ie.
