Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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872. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it is the responsibility of the principal or school to organise lunch and break times; and if there is a set timing for primary and secondary schools. [19919/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998, the Board of Management is responsible for the day to day running of a school.

Circular 11/95 “Time in School” provides that for primary schools, a typical school day for Junior classes is 4 hours and 40 minutes and Senior classes 5 hours and 40 minutes with appropriate recreation breaks i.e. 30 minutes.  Under the Rules for National Schools, morning and afternoon breaks of five minutes each are also provided for. 

The arrangement within the recreation interval for students to eat their lunch at post primary level is a matter for each Board of Management to determine.  My Department has not issued guidelines to schools in this regard.