Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I am well aware of the report. The Deputy is correct in that the report will be launched within the next week or two. I am committed to and see the direct benefit of arts in education. It would be wrong to suggest that because a report has not been published nothing is happening in this area. As the Deputy may be well aware — I have witnessed this in many schools that I visited in the recent past — the development of arts programmes in schools is significant. We would all accept there is enormous direct benefit to the students in participation in various arts programmes. I have particularly seen that in a number of primary schools I have visited recently. I accept this new report is important. I have discussed it with the Minister for Education and Science and, while I will not speak for him, I know he is very much in favour of the arts in education. We need to ascertain how we can continue to enhance the development of arts in schools. We will see whether that will happen.

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