asked the Minister for Education the results of the review, announced in Paragraph 2.2 of the Programme for Action in Education, of the extent and distribution of school vacation which was to be undertaken with a view to achieving educational benefit and economies of school operation; and if any action has been taken on this review.
Written Answers. - School Vacation.
162.
The Programme for Action in Education 1984-1987 was published in 1984 by a previous administration. During the term of office of that administration a preliminary review of the extent and distribution of school vacation in pursuance of paragraph 2.22 of that Programme was carried out. That review indicated that the scope for change in school vacation was limited, that marginal savings if any that might be achieved by changes would be more than offset by problems relating to scheduling of public examinations and of school transport services, effects on households where both parents were in paid employment, the influence on tourism and on the utilisation of Irish Summer Colleges and the availability of seasonal work for young people in Agriculture and in Tourism related enterprises. No further action was taken by that administration in respect of its proposal. The question of the length of the school year is being examined by the Primary Review Body and its recommendations in this regard would be expected to have implications on this issue.