Dr. Katie Sweeney:

On that point, we also support what Ms Comer and Ms O'Donoghue have said about the legislative remit of the local authority arts officers. If one is looking at the critical infrastructure within many counties, it comprises the education centre for teacher continuing professional development, CPD, and linking with the classroom. One then has the local authority arts officers who work with us on teacher-artist partnership CPD. Many arts officers have relationships with schools and are involved in the arts in schools but it is not part of their legislative remit. In terms of that involvement and representation, the Department should give its imprimatur for them to have a bigger role in that area.