7th April 2003

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Sinn Fein calls on City Council to support Dublin College of Music

Sinn Fein Councillor Larry O'Toole speaking at tonight's Dublin City Council meeting, called on all political parties in the city to come together with a united voice in support of the students, parents and workers of the Dublin College of Music. He called on the Dublin Institute of Technology to reverse their retrograde step in relation to the teaching of music in the City. Cllr O'Toole said:

``It is a tragedy that the Dublin Institute of Technology is cutting back on the provision of music education for the people of Dublin. The effect of this decision will be to make music inaccessible to those without access to private tuition.

``The College of Music has been in existence for more than one hundred years and is an integral part of the heritage of Dublin. This action is the equivalent of tearing down one of our listed buildings.

``I am concerned that for almost a decade, the DIT have been pursuing a `master plan', which aimed to shift the educational emphasis from the part-time junior and 2nd level areas to the full-time 3rd level.

``I am concerned about how the policy had been determined by DIT and who, if anyone had been consulted.

``It essential that music education in the city be maintained through adequate tutorial provision and is accessible to all. I would urge all the political parties in the City to come together with a united voice tonight in support of the students, parents and workers of the Dublin College of Music.

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