Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

553. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide information on the music generations programme; the number of programmes in operation across Dublin city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50592/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Music Generation National Music Education Programme was founded in 2010 and provides young people with access to high-quality performance music education in their local areas. Music Generation has been co-funded by philanthropic funding, the Department of Education and Local Music Education Partnerships (LMEPs), in which Education and Training Boards and Local Authorities play a lead partner role. The Department of Education has allocated €6,485,000 to Music Generation in 2021. Since its foundation Music Generation has grown nationally from an initial three areas, to 29 areas areas  in 2021.

Music Generation programmes encompass a range of vocal, instrumental, ensemble, music technology and early years/experiential focuses, across multiple genres of music. Full details of programme participation, outputs and the work of the Music Generation National Development Office are outlined each year in Music Generation’s Annual Reports.

There are four Music Generation LMEP areas in Dublin City and County. These are Fingal, Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, and South Dublin.

- Fingal is the newest Music Generation area to commence, with the Music Development Officer due to start in their role in mid-November 2021.

- The Music Development Officer commenced in Dublin City in March 2021 and has been focused on operational set-up to date. The Music Explorers and Music Club pilot programmes for primary-aged children will be commencing in November 2021. Further programmes will be rolled out in 2022 under an agreed Framework Plan.

- Music Generation Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown commenced in 2017 and in 2020 implemented eight programmes that provided 4,213 opportunities for children and young people to participate in musical activities. The programmes themselves cater for a range of age groups in a variety of settings, including children and young people attending DEIS schools, Special Education Needs schools, and Youth Centres.

- Music Generation South Dublin commenced in 2014 and in 2020 implemented 15 programmes that provided 907 opportunities for children and young people to participate in musical activities. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Music Generation South Dublin was providing upwards of 4,800 opportunities for children and young people. However the nature of delivery in the programmes was significantly affected by Covid-19 restrictions. As of September 2021, programmes have returned to normal service levels. Music Generation South Dublin programmes are run in partnership with schools, county youth services, and with the support of county arts providers, such as Alternative Entertainments, Civic Theatre, and county libraries. The programmes cater for a range of age groups across a mix of genres.