Dempsey in school holiday talks

EDUCATION Minister Noel Dempsey met with teacher unions yesterday in an attempt to diffuse their fury over his plans to standardise school holidays. Mr Dempsey wants all schools to take the same holidays and mid-term breaks from next September.

“Haphazard times for holidays and mid-term breaks pose huge difficulties for parents,” the minister said. Parents’ groups have backed the proposals.

Barbara Johnston of the Congress of Catholic Secondary Schools Parents’ Associations said schools had been allowed set their own timetables for far too long.