Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

Does the Government intend to amend the Education Act 1998 which, inter alia, requires the Minister for Education and Science to agree a budget with the schools authorities before the commencement of the academic year? The budget passed on 14 October unilaterally cuts an additional grant for this academic year for minority schools in this country and €2.8 million was unilaterally removed from the budget without prior consultation and in breach of the law. When will the 1998 Act be amended?

See this speech in context