Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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263. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding schools returning in August; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43454/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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While standardised arrangements for the breaks to be taken by schools at Christmas, Easter and midterm apply to all schools, it is not a requirement of these agreed arrangements that the commencement or end of the school year either at primary or post-primary level should be standardised.

Individual schools may therefore determine the precise start and end of the school year subject to ensuring that the requirements in respect of the minimum number of teaching days per school year are met. The expectation is that the school year will normally commence during the week in which 1st September falls. However, the school year may commence prior to that where this is necessary in order to meet the overall requirement of a minimum of 167 days at post-primary level or 183 days at primary level.