asked the Minister for Education whether, in view of the grave inconveniences caused to parents through the lack of uniformity of the periods allowed for summer vacation in the primary schools, he is prepared to insist that the terms of Rule 55 (1) (b), as set out on page 36 of the latest issue of the Rules and Regulations for National Schools, be adhered to this year and in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Schools' Vacation.
Mr. W. O'Sullivan
Rule 55 (1) (b) reads as follows:—
"For schools in the County Boroughs — Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick — and the Borough of Dun Laoghaire the vacation notified on the time-table should be so arranged that the period of summer vacation will commence on the third Monday in July and extend for not more than six weeks from that day.
In very exceptional circumstances the Minister may, on the application of the manager, authorise a different period of summer vacation for a national school in these areas."
I have authorised in a number of cases a different period of summer vacation in accordance with the second paragraph of the rule. I am satisfied that in these cases the circumstances were such as to warrant a departure from uniformity and that it will be necessary to grant a number of exemptions also in the current year. It is to be expected that there may be from time to time particular cases requiring a different period of vacation owing to very exceptional circumstances. The rule was introduced only in 1945, and with the continued application of the principle of uniformity, it is hoped it will be found possible to limit even the present number of cases in which it is not practicable to adopt the general arrangement.
Would the Minister not agree that there, has been a very wide departure from the rule so far . as the, City of Dublin is concerned? Would he not also agree that there is a very great necessity, from the parents' point of view, for having uniformity in holidays and would he indicate, in any way, what are the serious reasons why exemptions are granted, particularly exemptions on a rather wide basis?
I fully appreciate the necessity for facilitating parents as far as possible and that was the reason why this rule was instituted recently. Some of the school managers, for example in the case of certain of the religious Orders, find it extremely difficult to make the necessary arrangements appropriate to the internal affairs of the Order. Where it has been customary for members of the Order to spend their vacation periods in the country they find it difficult to make the necessary arrangements. It is largely because of the latter consideration I have granted them exemption, but the whole matter is receiving earnest consideration and I am hopeful that perhaps by next year it may be possible to secure greater uniformity. I should like to say, however, that the number of exemptions is small except in the case of one of the Orders which controls a large number of schools and, of course, a large number of teachers would also be affected. I am obliged to have regard to the considerations that are put before me by the responsible representatives of the Orders in question. I am sure they have done everything possible to try to fulfil the terms of the rule. They have satisfied me they have not been able to do so owing to various circumstances. I am not going to press them unduly this year.