Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
300. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason her Department’s Circular 11/95 includes a State-mandated break time for primary schools, but not for post-primary schools, which is becoming an issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13443/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the Education Act, 1998, the board of management is responsible for the day to day running of a school; this includes arrangements for break time for students.
At post primary level, circular M29/95 “Time in School” advises that a typical school day comprises of 6 hours of instruction and that the minimum number of instruction hours per week is 28.
The scheduling of the instruction hours and the appropriate timetabling of subjects is a feature of post primary schools.
The most significant change for children in post primary schools is that the organisation of classes is subject based. Class periods vary from a minimum of 40 minutes to longer class periods of up to 60 minutes depending on the learning needs of students and the subjects they study. Certain subjects required double class periods (2 x 40 minutes) during the school week. Therefore the timetabling of lunch breaks at post primary level is a matter for each individual school.
Where there are concerns regarding break time for students, these should be brought to the attention of the relevant board of management in the first instance.
