Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

The policy is clear. When a young person reaches the age of 18 it has been policy and practice for him or her to remain in his or her placement if he or she is in a leaving certificate year. The vast majority of those doing leaving certificate examinations are aged 18 because of the slightly later school starting age. I have made it absolutely clear I am concerned about the decisions taken. They should be reversed and I believe they will be. Best practice is that young people stay in their current placements until they complete the leaving certificate.

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