Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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505. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider closing schools for the Christmas period on 18 December 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38427/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The scheduling of the school holiday periods during the academic years is agreed between the managerial authorities of schools, the teacher unions and my Department for the purposes of standardising breaks at Christmas, Easter and mid-term. This is important to ensure certainty for the school community about the dates of school holidays.

There are no plans to alter the school break at Christmas. It should be borne in mind that it is the view of Public Health that the evidence available to date shows that schools are proving to be safe spaces for children and for staff.