asked the Minister for Education whether it is intended to raise the school-leaving age generally in the near future; and, if so, when, approximately, such proposals will be made effective.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School-Leaving Age.
If the Deputy's question is intended to ascertain whether it is proposed in the near future to raise the age to which all children are required to continue in full-time attendance at school, the answer is, no decision to do this has been reached. It is intended, however, to provide for the further education of young persons between the ages of 14 and 16 years, and the present policy of my Department is to make this provision by putting into operation Part V of the Vocational Education Act, 1930, which requires young persons between the ages mentioned, who are not in attendance at school, to attend part-time continuation classes.
As the Deputy is aware, a representative commission, presided over by his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, is at present conducting an inquiry into the question of the training and employment of young persons and it is desirable to await the recommendations of that commission before considering any proposals on the lines suggested.