Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department is considering closing schools early or extending closure over the Christmas holidays in view of the increasing numbers of Covid-19 infections and the changing public health advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62377/21]

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.  The approach to supporting schools to operate safely during Covid-19 has been to follow and implement public health advice.  The infection prevention and control measures in place in schools have worked very effectively to prevent and control Covid-19 in schools.  The Department will continue to work closely with public health officials and the education stakeholders in respect of the safe operation of schools during Covid-19.