Micheál Martin
Ceist:145 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if she will award a supplementary free day to those schools which might wish to avail of it in connection with the Beatification of Brother Edmund Rice. [17658/96]
Written Answers. - Beatification of Edmund Rice.
The maximum period for which a national school may be closed for vacation in any school year is 56 days. All schools must close for summer vacation for the complete months of July and August. The choice of the remainder of the vacation days on which a school will be closed is a matter for the board of management.
Closure on special days not occurring during school vacation is at the discretion of the board of management, subject to meeting the requirement of 183 teaching days per year.
At second-level, schools are required to be open for teaching on 167 days. School management has discretion in the planning of the school year to allow for holidays and other closures which do not reduce this minimum requirement.