Dempsey makes U-turn on half days

EDUCATION Minister Noel Dempsey has signalled a U-turn on an earlier decision to ban a tradition of civic leaders granting half days to schoolchildren.

Teacher unions had joined Cork’s Lord Mayor in protesting against an 83-year-old tradition of marking school visits with a half day’s leave.

In a reconciliatory gesture, the minister conceded that schools, required to complete a minimum number of teaching days, have local flexibility on the issue.