Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the Creative Clusters Programme for primary and post-primary schools; the number of schools involved in the Programme; if there are plans to increase the number of participating schools each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5029/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Creative Clusters scheme supports schools to build capacity in creativity.  A Creative Cluster consists of up to 5 schools collaborating on the design, implementation, evaluation and dissemination of an innovative arts and creative learning project which supports them to address a common issue or challenge, identified by that cluster.  Creative Clusters include schools at different stages of their journey in using creativity in the classroom.  Clusters consist of primary schools only, post primary schools only or a combination of both.  Schools in each cluster will enjoy access to a specialist facilitator or artist, or creative expertise in whatever their chosen area of interest or theme might be.  These resources will help the schools to build a project of learning and activities tailor-made for their students. 

The Creative Clusters initiative commenced in the 2018/2019 academic year with the establishment of 23 clusters comprising 71 schools countrywide, while a further 21 clusters comprising 77 schools was established and joined the initiative for the 2019/2020 academic year.   A new group of clusters, comprising of 72 schools, joined the programme from September 2020/2021.  In September 2021/2022, 81 schools joined the programme.  A further 21 clusters comprising 78 schools joined the initiative last September for 2022/2023 academic year.  In January of this year, I was pleased to announce the creation of an additional 21 Creative Clusters for 2022-2024, comprising a further 77 primary and post-primary schools.  This doubles the number of participating schools and clusters this year, up from the 21 clusters announced already in September 2022, in response to the demand from schools for this collaborative creative initiative.

Creative Clusters is a core programme within Creative Youth, which is a core pillar of Creative Ireland. As we move through the coming years, my Department will work to ensure the continuing development of Creative Clusters and other programmes within Creative Youth.