Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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314. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the return of schools in the last week in August is damaging to the domestic tourism industry, in view of the fact that the last week in August was traditionally a busy week for domestic holiday makers; if he will consider starting the academic year a week later; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37565/13]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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319. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role his Department plays in setting the date on which primary and post primary schools start the new school year after the summer holidays each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37703/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 319 together.

The scheduling of the school holiday periods during the academic year is agreed between the managerial authorities of schools, the teacher unions, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council.

The current agreement covers the school years 2011/12 to 2013/14. Discussions in regard to the arrangements for the school years 2014/15 to 2016/17 will take place during the current school year.

The arrangements in relation to the standardised school year do not require that the start or end of the school year should be standardised. However, schools must provide of a minimum of 167 teaching days at post-primary level and 183 teaching days at primary level.