Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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183. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43971/20]

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.

It is also important to note 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. Transmission rates of Covid-19 in schools are low, much lower than the rate currently in the community. This is a result of the effectiveness of the public health guidelines for schools and most importantly the successful implementation of those guidelines by the school community.

There are no plans or evidence to show it is necessary from a public health perspective to alter the school break at Christmas.