As a result, 5,000 children from all over the country have been able to enjoy free music lessons.
“The Department of Education and Skills will commence funding the initiative on a phased basis from July 2014,” confirms Minister Ruairi Quinn. “By 2016, the investment by local Music Education Partnerships and government is expected to be on a par with the donation from U2 and The Ireland Funds. 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.”
Minister Quinn was speaking at the launch of Developing Diversity In Music Education In Ireland, a two-year initiative that’s being run in association with St. Patrick’s College.
There to lend their support were Paul McGuinness and The Edge who notes, “Over the years, there has been a tendency for music not to be the top priority, but the great thing about Music Generation is that it's putting it back where it needs to be. We really wanted to put our name to it, we feel strongly about this.”