Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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257. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she directly or indirectly can offer support or incentive to those involved in traditional or classical music or shows with a view to achieving a high level of perfection and a sense of achievement at community level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48259/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels, including 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. In Budget 2018, the Arts Council will receive an additional €3 million to enhance its support to artists and arts organisations of all sizes throughout the country bringing the total Arts Council allocation of €68.2 million in 2018.

In addition to the work of the Arts Council, my Department funds a number of initiatives for music:

- Culture Ireland, provides supports for Irish artists and musicians to travel abroad and develop their careers;

- Annual funding of €1.5m is provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) in 2017 for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. CCÉ provides weekly classes at community level in all traditional instruments, singing, and dance through its network of centres and branches all over the country.

- The Music Capital Scheme allocates grants of around €200,000 each year to groups and individuals for the purchase of musical instruments. Music Network manages the Scheme for my Department and details are available at www.musicnetwork.ie.

The Creative Ireland Programme, which I launched in December 2016, places a special focus on “Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child”. Building on the Arts in Education Charter, this will involve the development of an integrated plan – Creative Children –to enable every child in Ireland to access tuition in music, drama, art and coding by 2022. My Department is working with Government Departments and stakeholders to develop this plan.