Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 February 2019
13. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level of funding for arts and culture to DEIS schools, in tabular form; if she has met with the Department of Education and Skills in relation to the matter; and if a memo has been sent to Government on this matter. [8687/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not fund DEIS schools directly. I can confirm however that a number of DEIS Schools have received funding to enhance their arts, culture and creative programmes under Creative Ireland's Creative Youth programme.
The Creative Schools initiative is a flagship initiative of Creative Youth which is being led by the Arts Council and funded primarily by my Department and the Department of Education and Skills. This project was launched in 2018 and funding of €1m was provided for its successful roll-out. Creative Schools aims to understand, develop and celebrate the arts and creativity, as a core aspect of school life, and to foster children and young people’s creativity and participation in the arts as an integral part of their education in Ireland.
A total of 150 schools across the country are now taking part in the Creative Schools Initiative. Of these, 41 are DEIS schools (33 primary and 8 post-primary), seven are special schools and four are Youthreach schools. The first Programme was rolled out in September 2018 and will run through 2019; 47 Creative Associates have been appointed to work with schools. All have been trained to enable the voice of the child throughout the Programme. Each school receives a grant of €2,000 to assist in the development of their creative plans and also receives the assistance of a Creative Associate. A list of all participating schools including the DEIS schools is available on the Arts Council website. However, I will arrange for a separate list of the 41 DEIS schools taking part in the initiative to be provided to the Deputy.
In partnership with the Minister of Education and Skills, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Arts Council, I recently announced a joint funding package of over €6m for the implementation of a range of initiatives under Creative Youth which will have a positive impact on DEIS schools and indeed other schools right across the country. Almost €2.4m has been allocated to Creative Schools which will allow us to double the number of creative schools from 150 to 300 (which includes maintaining the current 150 for a further year). As in 2018, this process is open to all schools including DEIS schools to apply for and registration for new applicants is now open with applications accepted online from the 19th February until 21st March 2019. All information in relation to this Scheme is available on the Arts Council website and I would urge all schools to consider applying.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department works closely with the Department of Education and Skills and indeed the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Arts Council to ensure the timely implementation of the various actions under Creative Youth.
