Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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281. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the bringing live arts to students and teachers, BLAST, 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. [5030/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The BLAST (Bringing Live Art to Students and Teachers) initiative that I announced on 4 June 2021, provides additional opportunities for schools to collaborate with established trained artists, supporting our children and young people to collaborate and engage in creative and critical thinking - all crucial skills for their futures.  The aim of BLAST is to give pupils in schools all over the country the opportunity to work with a professional artist on unique projects.  These bespoke residency projects are originated and planned between the artist, teacher and the school under the co-ordination of the network of 21 full-time education centres. 

At the start of the year, I announced the awarding of BLAST residencies to 629 schools in 2022-2023, the second year of the BLAST programme.  This is a significant increase from the 489 primary and post-primary schools which took part in the programme in its first year and demonstrates the strong interest and engagement with schools in working with creative professionals through this programme.

BLAST 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 BLAST and other programmes within Creative Youth.