Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the key recommendations of the arts and education committee report; the action he will take to implement these recommendations; the locations where the funding required for new initiatives will be obtained; the Department that will take a leadership role on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25655/07]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the status of the arts in education report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25647/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 22 together.

The Arts Council has presented me with a copy of the report and I have studied its contents. As this report has not yet been published it would be inappropriate to comment on its recommendations at this stage.

In advance of my considering the proposals further and discussing them with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, and with the Arts Council, it would be premature of me to comment further. The report will also have to be considered in the context of the 2008 Estimates and beyond. Those Estimates are currently being discussed with the Minister for Finance.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I understood that the report was to be published in May 2007 and hoped information would be available by now on the outcome. With regard to arts in education in general, like many other aspects of the economy, those schools in disadvantaged areas are least likely to have the supports needed to promote the arts within the school. The Minister referred earlier to the therapeutic value of sport and I am sure he would agree that the therapeutic value of art for many children is extremely important. Art also provides children with an additional skill. In more advantaged areas parents are often able to provide the necessary backup and financial resources for arts education. It is extremely important that there is a positive outcome on foot of the report and that it should be directed specifically towards disadvantaged schools, where often arts education is delivered in a very ad hoc manner. In some schools there is a teacher who is very committed and enthusiastic and has time to devote to the arts. In others the capacity will simply not exist. In that context, arts education must be underpinned by a financial commitment.

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to thank the members of the arts in education committee who worked hard to present this report to the Arts Council and then to the Department. We have not yet completed our examination of the report but some of the recommendations must be discussed with the Department of Education and Science and the Arts Council before we would be in a position to publish the report. Some issues are a little unclear and must be discussed further.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to reiterate what Deputy Upton said. Many people have made representations to me concerning the report and are anxious that something positive should emerge. This is an enormously exciting area. Improving access and bringing arts in education to the whole country and all levels of society is very important. Every child should be exposed to the arts. I have had some experience of the artists in residence and writers in residence programmes, which are enormously beneficial and extremely popular in schools. I hope the necessary funding will be provided and a conclusion on the report reached as quickly as possible.