Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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432. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to develop musical education and make 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. [37076/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts, including music, throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. In Budget 2017, I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council of €5 million, an increase of 8%. The Arts Council’s 10-year strategy Making Great Art Worksets out how it will lead the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade and commits to working to achieve full implementation of the Arts in Education Charter, which is a joint initiative of my Department, the Department of Education and Skills, and the Arts Council. Musical education in schools is, of course, primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills.

My Department also provides funding for an annual scheme to assist in the purchase of musical instruments by talented individuals and groups. Under the Music Capital Scheme, which is managed by Music Network, grants are made available to groups to support the purchase of musical instruments. Further details are available on the website of Music Network at

My Department also provides funding to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. This year, funding of €1,448,000 will be provided to CCÉ by my Department. CCÉ 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. CCÉ maintains a full schedule of educational events, such as lectures, exhibitions, workshops and concerts, sometimes in conjunction with the Fleadhanna Cheoil.