Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels, including music and musical performance, is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council operates under the provisions of the Arts Act 2003, which provides, inter alia, that the Council is independent in the performance of its functions in funding the arts. Full details are available on the Council's website at

In addition, my Department funds targeted initiatives for music, which are channelled through the Music Network. These include the Music Capital Scheme, which is designed to assist individuals and groups to purchase musical instruments and is administered by the Music Network on behalf of my Department. Further details in relation to the Music Network and its schemes are available at .

In 2013, an Implementation Group was set up jointly by the Minister for Education and my predecessor to implement the Arts in Education Charter. The Charter seeks, inter alia, to encourage the visitation of schools by artists of all disciplines and by schools engaging with professional arts and cultural practice. I met with the Implementation Group yesterday and I am very impressed with the progress which has been made so far. An Arts-in Education Portal Site has been developed which will be a valuable resource to teachers, including teachers who seek to encourage appreciation in children and young people for music and indeed appreciation for all of the arts. It is hoped that the Portal will be launched next month.