People are pressing Norma Foley, the Minister for Education, to intervene in the situation of a music institution counting Hozier and jazz performer Lauren Kinsella as alumni. Amidst a sudden halt in operations in May, the Newpark Academy of Music, established as a charity in 1979, now exists in limbo within the Newpark Comprehensive School premises in Blackrock, County Dublin. The institution, however, is a privately managed entity, not directly regulated by the Department of Education, even though it leases their building.
Talking about the dire condition of the school, Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward brought up the subject that the lease is owned by the Education Department, suggesting that only they can revoke it. Mr Ward believes that the department needs to step in to prevent the closure of the Academy. Such a closure might block a potential array of very talented musicians from acquiring a quality musical education, something the Academy has been providing for many uninterrupted years.
In the Upper House, Mr Ward referred to successful students of the Academy, such as Hozier, noted drummers like Rory Doyle and Sean Carpio, as well as vocalists such as Aoife Doyle and Lauren Kinsella. Rory Doyle, who has performed as a drummer and backup singer with Hozier’s band for several years, is an accomplished session drummer, whereas Sean Carpio is a composer and drummer with Bog Bodies. Meanwhile, Lauren Kinsella stands out as a jazz singer and Aoife Doyle as a singer-songwriter.
Mr Ward raised his concerns about the faculty and students being left in confusion without any explanations from the board or school management, terming it profoundly unfair. He highlighted the shutdown of a critical channel for musical education for the community in Blackrock besides potentially leaving the staff jobless.
Mr Ward also suggested there had been no communication to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment concerning the redundancy of 42 staff members and the arrangements for them. He questioned the logic behind shutting down the educational entity, supposedly flourishing with 600 students, enquiring why it can’t continue to operate.
The Minister of State, Thomas Byrne, explained that despite the current monetary and operational challenges the school is facing, the Department of Education cannot intervene. This is due to the fact that Newpark Music school, which operates from the historical Melfield House, is an independent entity from Newpark Comprehensive and hence falls outside their jurisdiction.
However, he acknowledged awareness of the music academy board’s recent verdict to end its operations, attributing this to the aforementioned concerns. Crucially, he pointed out that the department played no role in this decision to shut down the Newpark Music school. Therefore, any obligation to rescue the struggling school does not lie with the Department of Education.