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

I will put my questions together as I do not wish to lose my train of thought. Mr. Carney gave a passionate presentation to the Art Teachers' Association of Ireland this year on the topic of turning STEM into STEAM. Perhaps he will talk a little about bringing the arts into that group. He said one of his goals is to assist and support the development of a national strategy for arts in post-primary education. What is the position with a national strategy? Do we have one yet?

Ms Comer and Ms O'Donoghue gave an interesting presentation. I attended a few of their meetings as well. Will they comment further on their disappointment with the response to the Points of Alignment framework? I thank them for being specific about the steps this Parliament can take to help the cause they are working on as well.

With regard to the NCCA, I am aware that wonderful work is taking place on the development of a new art course for the leaving certificate. Having been a student of the subject for the leaving certificate and then having taught it for the leaving certificate and seeing it never change, that is wonderful news. It will also be welcome news for the teachers who correct the subject for the State examinations every summer. Will Mr. Hammond comment on that?

I am also aware of the wonderful work of Seóna Ní Bhriain at the Arts Council, along with the work of Ms O'Donoghue and Ms Comer, but will the witnesses tell us how we can do arts in education better? All the witnesses have made wonderful cases for what they are doing, but what can the Parliament do to make arts in education better and more streamlined in our schools and outside the formal sector?