The Department of Education is to begin funding a music initiative for children started by U2 and The Ireland Funds.

To date 5,000 children around the country have had access to music lessons under the Music Generation project.

U2 and The Ireland Funds stepped in and donated €7 million to the scheme in 2007 when funding was cut.

Today the Education Minister Ruairi Quinn confirmed that his Department will begin to fund it on a phased basis from July 2014.

Funding to begin July 2014

Addressing the delegates today the Minister said "By 2016, the investment by local Music Education Partnerships and Government is expected to be on a par with the €7 million donation from U2 and The Ireland Funds".

"The Department of Education and Skills will commence funding the initiative on a phased basis from July 2014".

"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" he added.

Kieran McLoughlin is President and CEO of The Worldwide Ireland Funds.

He commented "We are delighted to see the great impact of philanthropy on the development of a national system of music education in Ireland".

"The Ireland Funds are proud to support this exemplary initiative in partnership with U2, which is transforming the quality of life for so many children and young people - Ireland’s ‘music generation’ of the future" he added.

U2's The Edge explains why the project is so important to the band.