‘A chance to take a break’: McEntee defends length of school summer holidays

Education Minister Helen McEntee (front left) and junior minister Emer Higgins (right) during a visit to the summer programme at St Mary’s Junior National School in Clondalkin, Dublin. Picture: Gráinne Ní Aodha/PA

The Education Minister has defended the length of schools’ summer holidays, saying they offer people a chance to “take a break”.

Helen McEntee acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare, and any decision on changing the length of the school year would require a considered approach.