Sir, - We have read with great interest the article "Academy built on sand", Michael Seaver (Arts, July 27th).
Under the auspices of the Association of Professional Dancers in Ireland, members of the wider dance community in Ireland have submitted a document to the planning and steering group of the proposed Irish Academy for the Performing Arts in response to their call for written submissions.
We support the sentiments expressed by Michael Seaver that, "with £35 million on offer to invest in tomorrow's performers, it is essential to safeguard how that money is spent".
We welcome the proposed investment for professional performing arts training and believe that investigation into best dance education practices be employed before any plans for the proposed IAPA proceeds any further. To this end we are looking forward to "active dialogue" in response to our submission. - Yours, etc.,
Emma Richardson, Association of Professional Dancers in Ireland, Meetinghouse Lane, Mary's Abbey, Dublin 7.