Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The Creative Engagement, The Art in Our Schools pilot programme, was set up by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, NAPD, in 2004, co-funded by the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, to encourage students to engage with the arts. The NAPD is a well established body with close links to the Department of Education and Science.

In September 2004, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism provided €60,000 to the NAPD under this initiative to develop a programme of art activities in approximately 20 schools. A further €69,000 was allocated in 2006 for a continuation of the programme, which supported programmes in 32 schools. Recently, the NAPD has produced an extensive evaluation of the programme, focusing on the 32 schools in the 2006-07 scheme as part of the agreement with the NAPD underpinning its grant conditions.

From a preliminary examination of the conclusions, it is clear that there is a strong recommendation to have an arts in education ethos more embedded within the school curriculum. Furthermore, more formal support from the two Departments and the Arts Council is also sought. On completion of the examination of the report by my Department, I will raise the issues with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science.

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