Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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132. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a policy decision taken by the CDETB to raise fees for adults taking music lessons at a college (details supplied); if the increase in fees was sanctioned or approved by the committee for non-mainstream Department of Education and Skills funded music education; his views on whether fee increases will drive adults away from access to such further education classes and is contrary to the stated purpose and policy of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18629/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In 2014, my Department established the ‘Committee for Non-Mainstream Department of Education and Skills funded Music Education’. The Committee was established to, inter alia, oversee the work of organisations in receipt of funding by the Department of Education and Skills in relation to non-mainstream music education.

In its engagement with organisations including CDETB, the Committee has suggested that emphasis of Department funded tuition should be focused on young individuals up to eighteen years, and also suggested that the Centre should focus on group tuition to allow more students overall to benefit from the service.

The decision to increase fees is an operational matter for which CDETB has responsibility. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the City of Dublin Education and Training Board for direct reply to you.