Should we have shorter school holidays?

Ireland has some of the longest school holidays in Europe, which can make it a struggle for parents to organize childcare. Education Minister Helen McEntee has defended the length of summer holidays—three months for secondary schools and two months for primary schools.

McEntree said, “Our teachers work hard, our schools are very active throughout the year. I think the time that’s taken throughout the summer gives everybody a chance to take a break.”

So, should the length of summer break be reduced? How can parents source childcare for the hours when they’re at work?

Joining Kieran to discuss is Rachel Harper, Principal of St Patrick’s National School in Greystones and Aideen Finnegan, Podcast Producer and the Presenter of Better with Money from The Irish Times, as well as the mother to a five-year-old and a two-year-old.