Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I vehemently disagree with a point Mr. Moran made. Unless we give credence to the arts for children from the ages of nine, ten and 11, which we have not done for many years, and then from the ages of 14, 15 and 16, people will not take up the arts. In terms of young people being able to choose, be it a language or a passion for music or for visual arts, the Department should be far more creative and imaginative in how it approaches this. It closed that down in a way and added to the points system when it provided 25 bonus points for mathematics. It does not really matter. If those in the Department had a choice they would possibly choose the arts subject from the junior cycle upwards. Therefore, I completely disagree with Mr. Moran's point.

It is stated that the Creative Ireland programme is an all-Government programme. Where do the representatives see it having an impact through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment? There is enormous scope for it. I know the Department of Education and Skills is a beautiful and right fit for it and it wants to be the fit but there are other Departments where it can have an impact. I found that out from my own study on dying in Ireland that when we leave the planet, that has an impact on every Department not only the Department of Health. The same would apply to the arts.