Music Generation Gets Long-Term Funding from Government

Minister Ruarí Quinn and The Edge

Music Generation Gets Long-Term Funding from Government

The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, this week announced that the Government will be committing long-term funding to the Music Generation scheme. The scheme, which started in 2010 with funding from the band U2 as well as the Ireland Funds, is Ireland’s national music education programme and aims to help children and young people to access music education locally.

Quinn was speaking at an event bringing together delegates from music education programmes around the country. ‘By 2016,’ he said, ‘the investment by local music education partnerships and Government is expected to be on a par with the €7m donation from U2 and the Ireland Funds.’ The Department of Education and Skills will start funding Music Generation on a phased basis from July 2014.

‘Music Generation is a great example of how when we put our heads together we can deliver really exciting education programmes in new and innovative ways,’ said Quinn. ‘The programme, in a relatively short time, has achieved a great deal. Over 5,000 children and young people have participated in the many programmes available throughout the country.’

U2’s The Edge was also at the event and said, ‘It is a source of great pride for U2 that along with The Ireland Funds we were able to step in and keep it going after government cut backs put it in jeopardy in 2009.’

musicgeneration.ie

Published on 25 January 2013

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