Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 621: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the arts and education committee report, Points of Alignment; the steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of this report; the way he proposes to work with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28477/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the report which was published on 1 July 2008. The arts have a key role to play in our education system, in providing for sensory, emotional, intellectual and creative enrichment and contributing to young people's holistic development and self esteem. The arts help children to respond creatively, to express feelings, attitudes and to interact with others, as well as inculcating an appreciation of beauty and art. They support the development of communication, co-ordination, numeracy, creative skills, social skills, team work and leadership skills, as well as promoting a child's self esteem and enjoyment of learning. They also provide an important vehicle for personal enrichment and cultural expression, as well as creating awareness and respect for other cultures.

My Department invests extensively in arts education through the provision of visual arts, music and drama in the primary curriculum, the Music, Art Craft and Design syllabi at second level, through arts education initiatives for disadvantaged pupils, the provision of some 93 additional full time equivalent teaching posts to VECs for music education, 2 pilot Music Networks initiatives, and through an extensive range of programmes at Post Leaving Certificate and Higher Education levels. The Arts also feature prominently in other subjects such as languages and technology.

The Points of Alignment report highlights the importance of supporting arts in education practice through systematic collaboration between schools and local artists and through visits by schools to arts events and performances. My Department is working closely with the Department of Arts Sport and Tourism to explore how best a synergy can be promoted between in-school activity and the work of other agencies, and how best combined investment can be used to optimum effect within available resources. In that context, the terms of reference for the Special Committee on Arts and Education made clear that the budgetary resources likely to be available over the next four years for the education sector would have to be allocated to fund existing policy commitments. The Arts in Education Development Unit proposed in the Report has the potential to play a key role in building further synergies and strategic partnerships in this important area.