Ms Sheila Pratschke:

Our policy on children and young people is one in evolution. The director of the Arts Council, Orlaith McBride, is working closely with the Department of Education and Skills on the new charter in education. It is our wish that arts and culture finds its way into the classroom and permeates every educational establishment. We will work as diligently as possible on that. Young writers come out of schools as well as coming out of homes. It is all connected. Until now, Ireland has had a major reputation for its literary output and this needs to be nurtured and continued. We need to support writers centres and workshops. This should take place all around the country rather than focusing on the major cities. We will work on this.