The purpose of the Bill is to increase the school leaving age to 17 years. A number of countries have set the school leaving age at 17-18 years and I feel strongly this is the appropriate next step in Ireland. Legislation over the last number of decades has increased the school leaving age from 14 years under the School Attendance Act 1926 to most recently, 16 years in 2000.
Education is crucially important to the future prospects of many young people particularly in the growing knowledge-based economy in which we find ourselves. By increasing the school leaving age with my Bill we can ensure that our young people avail of the top quality education that is on offer in the many secondary schools across the country until the age of 17.
That is absolutly brilliant, definetly needed.
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