Minister backs U2-inspired music education programme for children

The Department of Education has confirmed that it will co-fund a further four music education projects that were initiated with a €7m philanthropic donation by U2 and The Ireland Funds.

Music Generation, the national music education programme, provides young people with access to subsidised vocal and instrumental tuition in their local area.

Since its foundation in 2009 the programme has established Music Education Partnerships in 12 counties, creating access for up to 20,000 children and young people and providing employment opportunities for more than 250 professional musicians.

At an event in the recently refurbished Portlaoise Youth Education Centre, Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan announced that her department would commence co-funding of a further four Music Education Partnerships in Cork City, Laois, South Dublin, and Wicklow.

The funding from the department is matched by support from local Music Education Partnerships.

“Music Generation truly is an innovative and pioneering partnership model, which has transformed the landscape of non-mainstream music education in Ireland today,” said Ms O’Sullivan.

“Providing children and young people with high quality music education is an important investment that will pay dividends in many ways for years to come.”

In January 2013, the department announced it would begin the phasing in of its co-funding with local Music Education Partnerships from July 2014, with a view to completely replacing the original philanthropic donation by 2016.

The €7m donation from U2 (€5m) and The Ireland Funds (€2m) made in 2009 was the largest ever single philanthropic donation to music education in Ireland in the history of the State.

The first phase of funding by the Department of Education and Skills was committed in 2013, and it began co-funding three programmes in Louth, Mayo, and Sligo in July 2014 with local partners, on a 50/50 basis.

Music Generation Cork City will be held in partnership with Cork City Council, Cork ETT, the HSE, CIT, UCC, and Cork City Partnership.

“Not only with the dedicated music tutors, organisations and schools involved, but also the incredible number of talented young people who have embraced the opportunity to learn and play music,” said John Fitzgibbons, Education Officer from Cork ETB.