Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the mandatory age up to which a child must remain at school. [42729/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 parents are responsible for ensuring that their child receives an education. Article 42 of the Constitution acknowledges that the primary and natural educator of the child is the family and provides for parents to provide an education for their child in their homes if they so wish.

The Education (Welfare) Act provides that the minimum school leaving age is 16 years, or the completion of three years of post-primary education, whichever is the later.

The Education Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency (EWS) is responsible for ensuring that this requirement is met.