asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to raise the school-leaving age; and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School-Leaving Age.
23.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply on 19th February, 1958 to a question from Deputy Dr. Noel Browne. I have nothing to add to that reply.
Does that mean that the Government does not propose to raise the age?
I stated on that occasion that the necessity appeared to me to be one of increasing the school facilities rather than extending the school-leaving age, because 60 per cent. of those in the 14-15 age group are attending whole-time instruction in recognised schools and the same applies to about 48 per cent. of those in the 15-16 age group. Those two percentages have been increasing steadily over recent years.