Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the current lack of funding streams available to support the staging of curriculum-based theatrical productions for post-primary students; if she acknowledges that prescribed Leaving Certificate texts, such as Othello by William Shakespeare, form a core part of the English curriculum; if consideration has been given to supporting access to live performances of such texts as part of arts-in-education and student wellbeing initiatives; and if she will outline any existing or planned funding mechanisms, pilot schemes, or interdepartmental collaborations that could support theatre companies delivering large-scale, curriculum-linked productions to students, particularly those in DEIS schools and rural areas. [31472/26]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Each year my Department advises schools of the list of prescribed texts for Leaving Certificate English for students entering fifth year. Requirements are different for students studying Higher Level and Ordinary Level. School authorities and teachers are asked to note that no specific text is compulsory, although at Higher Level one of the listed Shakespeare plays must be studied. There is no funding stream in my Department to support specific theatres or theatre companies in staging performance of any of these or other dramas.

However, the Deputy may wish to note that Leaving Certificate Drama, Film and Theatre Studies was introduced in September 2025 on a phased basis in a number of selected schools. The introduction of this new subject is being supported by a comprehensive package of supports. These supports include the provision of all the necessary technical resources such as cameras, lenses, and audio equipment necessary to teach the subject. All Phase One schools in the free education scheme receive an annual Implementation Support grant of €50 per student to support engagement with the new subject. Schools in the free education scheme have also received a once-off ICT grant of €6,000 to support the ICT requirements of the subject.

In relation to access for students to screened performances, a dedicated Drama, Film and Theatre Channel has been established with the Irish Film Institute (IFI) to allow registered teachers of Phase One schools free access in the classroom to prescribed material. Schools have also been provided with a free subscription to the Drama Online National Theatre Collection 2 in order to access prescribed materials.