Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport his plans to increase awareness of the value and benefit of cultural activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6204/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport provides annual funding to the National Cultural Institutions which are directly involved in promoting and increasing awareness in the value and benefit of cultural activities. As well as the normal promotion of events and programmes for which they are responsible, each of our National Cultural Institutions provides Community and Outreach programmes which include targeted events for the members of the community e.g. older persons, children, families, socially disadvantaged group etc.

The National Museum of Ireland has long been a resource for primary, secondary and third level students and educators, providing a broad range of services — including guided tours; demonstrations and workshops; an information and resource service; professional development courses and activities for teachers. The Museum's Education & Outreach department organises in-service courses for teachers annually.

The National Concert Hall's Learn & Explore team is dedicated to bringing the finest musicians from The National Concert Hall out into schools and communities across Ireland to deliver the best in music education. Each summer, the team organises in-service primary school teacher training which is accredited by the Department of Education and Skills as a Teacher Education Summer Course. The National Concert Hall also hosts summer camps that cater for all ages and all instruments.

The Irish Museum of Modern Art's (IMMA) Education and Community Programme aims to foster within society an increased awareness and understanding of the visual arts by creating innovative and inclusive opportunities for people to engage with the Museum's exhibitions and programmes, both as audience members and participants. It also seeks to create opportunities for meaningful exchanges between artists and the public. The Museum's Education and Community Programme is informed by models of practice which are designed to meet the needs of specific groups and to address targeted education needs. These models are documented and evaluated and their outcomes inform a broader programme which can provide access for a wide range of people.

Whilst IMMA caters for the needs of all groups interested in using the Museum as a resource, it has also developed a number of programmes and projects intended to address the needs of specific groups, such as schools and colleges.

The National Gallery of Ireland also has a range of educational and outreach programmes, i.e.:

Lifelong Learning Events

Children's & Families Programme

Outreach Programme

Teachers & Schools Programme

A lecture series throughout the Winter

As well as providing funding to the National Cultural Institutions, the Department also provides annual funding to a number of other cultural institutions which are equally important in increasing awareness in the value and benefit of cultural activities. These include the Hunt Museum, Archbishop Marsh's Library, the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, the National Print Museum as well as regional and local museums throughout the country.

The Department also provides funding for a number of cultural events throughout the year which are specifically designed to promote the value of our cultural heritage and cultural activities. These include events such as Culture Night, Dublin Contemporary 2011 and the Cultural Technology Grant Scheme.