Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2026
304. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the guidance that exists regarding the use and deployment of Croke Park hours; the way schools are expected to utilise these hours; the way the effectiveness of their use is measured; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33854/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Croke Park Agreement hours are part of wider productivity measures introduced under the Public Service Agreements. In schools, the Croke Park Agreement hours are 33 additional hours a year at post primary (36 hours at primary) worked by teachers.
A central purpose of the Croke Park Agreement hours is to provide for certain essential activities such as staff meetings, parent-teacher meetings, school planning, subject planning and mandated Continuous Professional Development to take place without reducing tuition time. Utilisation of the additional hours for these purposes has practically eliminated school closures which were previously necessary for activities such as the ones mentioned above.
A review of the usage of Croke Park Hours is currently in progress under the auspices of the Teachers' Conciliation Council (TCC). As proceedings at the TCC are confidential, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment at this time.
