Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the departmental criteria governing foreign trips run by schools for students. [49101/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In accordance with my Department's circulars, the objective of an educational tour should be to provide a significant benefit in the educational, intellectual, cultural and social development of pupils taking part.

It is a matter for each individual school to decide on the suitability of any proposed school tour having regard to these requirements.

The Board must exercise all reasonable care in respect of the pupils involved and take all necessary steps to ensure that sufficient supervision is in place and that all appropriate and necessary safeguards in respect of the welfare and safety of participating pupils are in place.

In addition, I hold the view that it is very important that schools are sensitive to the financial pressures on parents in making decision on such trips or indeed in relation to any other matter that has cost implications for parents.