There are no plans to extend mid-term holidays, government confirms

The country is currently in Phase 3.

Many changes have happened since children returned to school in late August. With the country entering Phase 3 many pubs have been unable to reopen, restaurants can no longer seat customers indoors and cinemas and other attractions have had to close again. These changes led to many parents wondering if the schools would close again with rumours circulating that the mid-term holidays would be extended. Given that when schools first closed in March and did not reopen until last month, many parents have been concerned that 'extended mid-term' could me the school staying closed until next year. The Government, however, confirmed over the weekend that they have no plans to ask schools to extend the mid-term break. Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins said that there is "no plan" to extend school closures past the expected mid-term break time. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly added that evidence does not point to schools as being a contributing factor to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Ireland. "We need to keep children in school and keeping the schools open is a big priority for Government," he said.