U2’s Clayton Proud to Be Part of Music Program

As well as U2’s €2 million paycheck for the program, The Ireland Funds also donated €1 million, which ensures the program will be funded to 2020 and beyond, and it also got a boost from the Department of Education, who have committed to ongoing funding, which means the music initiative can be expanded.

The program, which currently reaches 26,000 children and young people annually who would otherwise not have had access to music education, can now be expanded in up to nine additional areas across the country.

Clayton said of the news: “Five years in and Music Generation is continuing to thrive. It is wonderful to see this further commitment from the government, which will bring us closer to achieving the goal of access to music education for every child and young person in Ireland.

“The support we received at school was very important to us as young musicians, and we are very proud of our part in this program.”

Speaking at the announcement An 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.”