Dr. James Cunningham:

MyCreativeEdgecould be scaled up. It fills a real need because many of these creative industries do not have the expertise required. It allows them to create an international showcase for their activities. It is good for business to business connections, if they are looking for someone to help them in that respect.

In response to the comment made by Mr. Phil Coulter and in regard to the Irish language, we can learn a lot from the French film production sector which has grown while maintaining the French language. We need to equip Irish graduates to use new media to distribute their products and ideas more effectively, be it through Spotify or whatever else.

As for the workplace issue, our first hand experience in MyCreativeEdgeis that it has a significant positive effect because students understand the business requirements of the business with which they deal. They have to marry them with their creative talents, do it within a timeframe and put an economic value on their talent and decide how much they will charge for it. Developing it at an early stage in their formation and building on it with good support is critical.

In response to the question about working for nothing, there is a case for the industry to create sustainable career paths at an early stage of formation to make it as attractive as engineering or other sectors which have done a lot to support career development. They articulate to people considering entering the industry at an early or late stage that there is a viable, interesting and dynamic career available.