Is it ever okay to take children out of school to go on a cheaper holiday?

Thom Breathnach looks to teachers and parents for an answer to the perennial dilemma of holidaying during term time

What do schools, educators and parents have to say on the issue of school time holidays?

As lathair? It's that time of the year when thousands of families across Ireland are scouring the internet and travel agents for an elusive last minute summer holiday deal. But with rising fares and prices, for many, the temptation for families to take their children out of school during the term for a cheaper deal has never been greater. 

But what do schools, educators and parents have to say on the issue and just how tempting are their deals? This week, I spoke to a roll call of people in the education and travel fields to find out…