Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
466. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of ensuring there is an arts education officer in each education and training board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32541/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main focus of payroll budgets for the foreseeable future in ETBS is to cater for increasing demand for teachers and special needs assistants arising from increasing student numbers at post-primary level.
Other staffing matters such as staff involved in administration, maintenance and training provision are dealt with centrally by my Department having regard to factors such as affordability within payroll budgets and priorities determined by individual ETBs.
I have no plans to approve an arts education officer in each education training board. The cost of providing an arts education officer in each of the 16 ETBs would depend on the level agreed for such role and would be commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of that post.
An objective of the Arts in Education Charter is the Local Arts Education Partnerships (LAEPs). The impact of co-operative efforts by the statutory agencies, the local authorities and the ETBs, in conjunction with the regional Teacher Education Centres and other agencies, has the potential to re-shape the landscape of arts in education provision in Ireland to the great benefit of young people throughout the country. Creative Youth, the plan for Pillar 1 of Creative Ireland, commits to piloting Local Creative Youth Partnerships. These will be based on the model outlined in the Arts in Education Charter. An announcement around these Partnerships will be made shortly.
