Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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344. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the timeframe for implementation of the legislative commitment in the programme for Government to increase the mandatory school leaving age to 17 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34180/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to increase the mandatory school leaving age to 17. The Education (Welfare) Act 2000, which is the relevant legislation in relation to this commitment, comes under the remit of my Department. I will work closely with the Minister for Education and Skills in the development of the legislative proposals and in the context of Government commitments for a new School Completion Strategy and an Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. The proposals for the legislation will be brought forward having regard to requirements of the deliberative process and the priorities in the Government programme to secure improved educational outcomes for vulnerable children.

The proposal that children stay longer in education is in keeping with a high level policy goal in Better Outcomes Brighter Future: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020. "Achieving full potential in all areas of learning and development" is a high priority outcome in the strategy so that all children are supported to reach their maximum potential now and in the future.