Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will focus on arts and education aspects. I know the Minister is a big supporter of arts and education and she worked closely with me in my former job with Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board. In regard to the Arts in Education Charter, how is the higher implementation group progressing with the Arts Rich Schools programme, which is an objective of the Arts in Education Charter?

Will the Minister comment on the local arts in education partnership - I know she was very supportive of the Cavan and Monaghan - and on that relationship between the education and training boards and the local authority arts officers and the county councils and that over-arching relationship between two closely connected statutory bodies? Will she comment on Arts in Education officers and whether her Department has any plans to roll out something similar nationally? As the Minister is aware, we had a very good pilot scheme in Cavan and Monaghan of which she was a major supporter. What is the position on that?