Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy McGrath who obviously has an interest in this area. The Arts Council has a number of schemes and initiatives which I shall mention in brief, namely, the children's laureate or laureate na n-óg, the artists in schools schemes which is administered by the Arts Council and local authorities, the writers in schools schemes, administered by Poetry Ireland, the artists in work residencies scheme, administered with the National Youth Council of Ireland, the youth arts development award, with the National Youth Council of Ireland and the artists in the community scheme. There are a number of schemes directed at young people but we must do more. I have had discussions with the Minister for Education and Skills about promoting the arts in both primary and secondary schools. I am glad there are young people in the Gallery. If there is one thing young people can engage with it is the arts.

There is also a major concern about the syllabus for the leaving certificate. The reason not many young people take up art for the exam is that the syllabus is entirely outdated, having been in place since 1971. That must be examined with the aim of encouraging young people to take up art as a subject for the leaving certificate.

These are the two issues: the arts as a subject in schools young people would be encouraged to take and participation in the arts by young people for their enjoyment in schools but not as a subject.

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