Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The 2016 programme for Government has a commitment to implement the arts in education charter. It is important to recognise the hard work of Professor John Coolahan, Dr. Katie Sweeney and other members of the charter implementation group. Both the Minister and I know personally and in detail the work that has gone into this.

The arts in education portal has been a huge success and in 2015, the Department gave €120,000 towards it. To March 2016, it had more than 18,000 visitors and hits. However, as there are 90,000 teachers across the island, it means in total 20% of visits were from teachers.

On the actual implementation of strand one, the creative potential in every child, the Minister aims to fast-track, embrace and resource the arts in education charter as a core element of the Creative Ireland agenda. This is wonderful. How is this going to be implemented, however? What is the Minister going to do in practical terms?

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