Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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670. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will review the Arts and Education Charter as artists have suggested it is weak and under used; her views on strengthening the role of the artists in such a charter; if she will conduct such a review in consultation with the arts community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4855/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Arts in Educations Charter was launched in January 2013 and both the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and I are very committed to its implementation. A High Level Implementation Group, chaired by Professor John Coolahan, Professor Emeritus at NUI Maynooth, was established to oversee the implementation of the Arts in Education Charter. The Group meets regularly and, to date, has presented three progress reports in accordance with the Charter.

Arts-in-education involves skilled, professional artists of all disciplines working for and with schools in the making, receiving and interpreting of a wider range of arts experiences. Accordingly, the Group has been proactive in meeting many organisations from both the arts and education sectors. The process of holding meetings with stakeholders, as well as receiving submissions from key agencies, is in accordance with the provisions under Dialogue and Partnershipin the Charter and is ongoing. In addition, progress is being made by the Group on a number of initiatives, including increasing the number of artists in residence in colleges of education and developing a portal as a key communications and information channel for both the education and arts sectors.