Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has raised a few questions there. DEIS schools are the subject of another parliamentary question, as is the issue of the minimum wage. I can address those now. I will go into DEIS schools in more detail in reply to the Deputy's other question. If my memory serves me correctly, 41 DEIS schools are involved. Many schools can participate in the creative youth scheme. It cannot be open to just one type of school. It has to be a cross-section. If my memory serves me correctly, 41 out of the 150 schools participating in the present scheme are DEIS schools. I note also that the scheme will be expanded to 300 schools.

In regard to the national minimum wage and a living wage, I note that as a voluntary initiative the living wage has no legislative basis and confers no statutory entitlement. The national minimum wage, on the other hand, has a legislative basis. It confers a statutory entitlement on employees and a statutory obligation on employers. I am not sure of the other questions the Deputy mentioned. In general, Creative Ireland will receive funding of €7.15 million, which is an increase of €1.15 million this year. It will primarily support the culture and creativity teams established in every local authority and allow for the continued roll-out of the creative youth programme, which is of wonderful assistance to children.

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