merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Keny, Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan and U2 bassist Adam Clayton with Music Generation students 

The long-term sustainability of non-mainstream music education in Ireland received a further boost today following a commitment by the Department of Education and Skills to future, ongoing funding of Music Generation, Ireland’s National Music Education Programme. Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and Education Minister Jan O’ Sullivan joined U2’s Adam Clayton and Music Generation students to mark the announcement, which will facilitate the expansion of the ground breaking music initiative in up to nine additional areas of the country and secure the funding of the programme beyond 2020.

Today’s announcement follows a recent €3m philanthropic donation by U2 and The Ireland Funds to Music Generation to enable this second phase of the music education programme. Music Generation is currently established in 12 areas of the country, reaching some 26,000 children and young people annually who would otherwise not have had the choice of access or the chance to participate in music education.

Speaking at today’s announcement Taoiseach Enda Kenny said:

This is extremely positive news for music education in Ireland and a fine example of how partnerships across sectors – local, public, private and philanthropic can deliver long term benefits in different sectors. This announcement is a further mark of government’s ongoing investment in our children and young people and in the future of our country.

See www.musicgeneration.ie  for more information.