Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1053. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being taken to support families and schools affected by the early closure on Thursday, 23 October, due to polling requirements; and if additional childcare provisions or compensations will be put in place. [47536/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In relation to school closures due to elections, overall responsibility for the running of elections and arrangements in this regard is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Returning Officers are statutorily responsible for the conduct of elections and may, under electoral law, use school premises for this purpose. Schools must, in accordance with electoral law, make their premises available for polling where requested by a Returning Officer. It is not open to the Minister for Education and Youth to unilaterally amend these provisions.

Individual school authorities are best placed to determine the measures to be put in place to make up for the early closure.