John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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193. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the schools that are involved in the pilot scheme for the creative schools initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8484/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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On 12 February, I, along with Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan and the Arts Council, launched Creative Schools, a central initiative of the Government’s Creative Ireland Programme, which puts the arts and creativity at the heart of children's and young people’s lives.

Up to 150 primary and post-primary schools across the country will participate in the pilot and work with artists, creative practitioners and educators to develop their own unique programme of arts and creative work, connecting them to the full range of local and regional cultural resources and opportunities. 

In addition, all participating schools will also receive a further range of supports including a once-off grant and training for teachers in the school.

Applications for Creative Schools will open on the 20^thof February and participating schools will be announced in May 2018. Work will begin in schools in the selected schools in September 2018. 

I encourage all primary and post-primary schools to apply to participate in this initiative. We are looking to include a wide range of schools, with a broad national spread.