To ask the Minister of Education for his assessment of the Creative Youth Partnerships Programme; and to detail (i) whether he plans to replace this initiative; and (ii) any ongoing discussions on this matter.

The Creative Youth Partnership Programme was aimed at increasing access to and participation in the arts by young people throughout the north of Ireland. Due to a perceived lack of legacy for schools and capacity building for teachers, in 2009/10, funding for Creative Youth Partnerships was redirected to teacher resources and CPD for teachers emphasising the importance of creativity and innovation across the whole curriculum. This approach ensures that the capacity of schools to develop young people’s creativity is increased, and so benefits a greater number of young people. I therefore have no plans to replace this initiative, and there are no ongoing discussions in relation to this.