Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

Section 10 of the Act imposes an obligation on the Minister for Education and Science to provide parents with a variety of options in respect of their children's education. That is his constitutional and legal responsibility. This issue does not merely relate to Educate Together. There is a view among many of the partners involved in post-primary education that any new post-primary school established is ostensibly a VEC. There are many Catholic and Church of Ireland education providers who ask why they cannot provide post-primary schools in emerging areas.

The Minister's assertion that legal advice has been sought in respect of this issue is new. I was of the view that the Education Act makes it clear that patronage is there for all to see. This is especially true of Educate Together which has already established its patronage.

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