Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

In his initial reply the Minister referred to the pilot scheme for west Dublin where two new schools will be under the patronage of County Dublin Vocational Education Committee, as the Minister is aware. I welcome that but am I correct in saying the education (patronage) Bill has yet to be published? There is no chance it will passed by this House and the other House if it has not been published by the summer. These two new schools — it was to be three — will be open in west Dublin on 1 September, with teachers and students in place, under the control and patronage of County Dublin VEC. How are those schools legally based when the legislation effectively introducing the new pilot model has not gone through these Houses?

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