Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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489. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she has had discussions with other Departments or interest groups with a view to creating greater awareness of national heritage and culture throughout primary and second level schools; if she continues to have discussions with the Minister for Education and Skills in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37733/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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While the provision for arts in the education system in our schools at primary and secondary level is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Skills, I am firmly committed to continuing the work of the ongoing partnership between that Department, my own Department and the Arts Council, in line with the Arts in Education Charter.In this regard, I am pleased that the Programme for a Partnership Governmentcommits to the continued implementation of the Arts in Education Charter.The development of Ireland’s first national culture policy – Eire Ildánach/Culture 2025- will also be relevant in terms of acknowledging the importance of supporting cultural engagement in education at all levels.

The work of the two Departments and the Arts Council in implementing the Charter is achieved largely through existing structures, such as education centres and Education and Training Boards. My Department provides some funding to assist with implementation of initiatives of the Charter which has included the development of the Arts in Education Portal which now serves as an effective key communications and information channel for both education and arts sectors.

This year, the Ireland 2016 Project Office of my Department worked with the Department of Education and Skills to develop a rich programme for the primary and post primary sectors, and to ensure that the programme reached every school in the country. Every National School in the country was visited by members of the Defence Forces and were presented with the National Flag, copies of the Proclamation and the National Anthem. These were accompanied by a booklet which explained the history, heritage and significance of the national flag. In consultation with the Thomas Meagher Foundation, the National Flag was also provided to each secondary school around the country.

Schools were also invited to write a new proclamation for 2016, to reflect the values, hopes and aspirations of the generation of 2016, starting with an analysis of the ideals, principles and aspirations of the 1916 Proclamation. This project culminated on 15 March 2016, "Proclamation Day", which included the raising of the National Flag, followed by a reading of the Proclamation. I am satisfied that these additional initiatives have created a much increased awareness of our national heritage and culture in both primary and second level school.