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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Holidays.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

212 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will postpone the midterm break in the school term by one week until early November in view of the fact it gives students one week off to collect bonfire material which causes problems and nuisance for residents, Garda authorities and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22171/98]

I have no plans to introduce new procedures for dealing with schools' timetabling arrangements.

The position at primary level regarding school breaks is that all schools must close for the months of July and August. Outside of these times school authorities have discretion in relation to planning their school breaks provided they comply with the requirement to be in operation for a minimum of 183 days in the school year.

At second level, schools are required to be open for teaching for 167 days. Subject to this requirement being met, the choice of vacation days on which schools will be closed is a matter for individual school management authorities.

In order to ensure that its school is in operation for the prescribed minimum number of days, each management authority, in planning the school year, must make allowance for days on which the school may have to be closed due to unforeseen or exceptional circumstances. School authorities must therefore retain discretion in relation to timetabling matters.

It is open to any individual or group to raise their concerns about the scheduling of school breaks with the relevant school authorities.

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