Culture Minister Caral Ni Chuilin said she would bring forward a draft Irish Language Act for public consultation, on 13 January 2015.

"I intend to do it at the beginning of February this year so people can see themselves exactly what is involved," she said.

Replying to a question from the SDLP's Fearghal McKinney, the minister told the Assembly her department had returned some of the funds intended for the redevelopment of Casement Park.

Ms Ni Chuilin said that "unfortunately", due to the result of a judicial review that prevented the redevelopment of the west Belfast Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) stadium, funds had to be returned for redistribution under the financial monitoring rounds.

"I anticipate that the Ulster Council of the GAA are going to re-submit a new planning application and with that the remainder of the money, if it is successful, will be spent on developing Casement Park," she said.

Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey asked about the redevelopment projects at Windsor Park football stadium and the nearby Olympia Leisure Centre, in south Belfast.

The minister said work on Windsor Park was "progressing well", and it was hoped to complete the work in November 2015.

Ms Ni Chuilin described the Olympia project as "a very exciting partnership" with Belfast City Council and the Irish Football Association, due for completion in Autumn 2016.

The minister also answered questions about funding for libraries, leisure activities on Strangford lough, and all-Ireland fishing licences.

Education Minister John O'Dowd said he hoped to obtain additional funds for education in the final version of the 2015-16 budget.

A number of MLAs criticised the Department of Education's draft budget.

The minister said that in the face of "a funding gap of £162.5m" he had "focussed on protecting front line services as far as possible".

Mr O'Dowd said that if he could obtain more funding it would be directed into schools.

Alban Maginness asked how schools could "reasonably avoid cuts in their staffing levels. It is absolutely impossible, minister".

The minister said he had "never suggested that schools will not face reductions in school staff, whether it be teachers or support staff".

"The long-term solution to our problems is a change of government in Westminster, " he added.