Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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153. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has had discussions with other Departments or interest groups, and in particular the Department of Education and Skills, on creating greater awareness of our national heritage and culture in primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14004/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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While the provision for arts in the education system and the content of the school curriculum is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Skills, I am firmly committed to continuing the work of the ongoing partnership between that Department, my own Department and the Arts Council, in line with the Arts in Education Charter. In this regard, I am pleased that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the continued implementation of the Arts in Education Charter. My Department and the Heritage Council also provide relevant supports for use in our schools.

The development of Ireland’s first national culture policy - Culture 2025 - will also be relevant in terms of acknowledging the importance of supporting cultural engagement across wider policy areas. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the publication of Culture 2025 as a priority and I intend to submit the draft policy to Government for consideration in the coming weeks. As I have stated previously, this first such policy will be a living document and will form the basis of an on-going dialogue with all relevant sectors, including the education sector.

I should also say that the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme saw unprecedented engagement with our history in schools and colleges throughout the country. This engagement was supported by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills and the Defence Forces.