Third Level
In the Institutes of Technology the academic year begins on 1st September each year, and ends on 20th June. In certain circumstances and with advance notice lecturers may be required to be available until 28th June but with the commensurate period off after the 1st September.
Second Level
Teachers work a maximum of 167 school days. The standardised school year for the years 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14 are set out in Circular Letter 0034/2011.
Click here to download Circular Letter 0034/2011
This circular letter provides that in certain circumstances a school can seek to make up days lost due to severe adverse weather. This provision is however a last resort when other efforts at making up the time have not been successful. Examples of such efforts set out in the circular include:
- prioritising tuition over other non-tuition activities
- reducing where possible the length of mock/house examinations
- consideration of whether learning in the classroom should be prioritised over school tours, etc.
- in the case of second level schools ensuring examination classes attend all classes to the end of May.
The Department of Education and Skills has imposed a new provision from this year to allow for time lost to adverse weather to be made up. This will in certain situations allow the February break to be shortened by up to three days, and/or the Easter break to be shortened by up to three days. See Circular Letter 34/2011 for full details.
School Year 2011/12
October 2011 mid-term break
Schools will close from Monday 31st October 2011 to Friday 4th November 2011 inclusive.
Christmas 2011
Schools will close on Thursday 22nd December 2011 which will be the final day of the school term. Schools will re-open on Monday 9th January 2012.
February 2012 mid-term break
Schools will close from Monday 13th February 2012 to Friday 17th February 2012. See note above.
Easter 2012
Schools will close on Friday 30th March 2012, which will be the final day of the school term. Schools will re-open on Monday 16th April 2012. See note above.
School Year 2012/13
October 2012 mid-term break
Schools will close from Monday 29th October 2012 to Friday 2nd November 2012 inclusive.
Christmas 2012
Schools will close on Friday 21st December 2012 which will be the final day of the school term. Schools will re-open on Monday 7th January 2013.
February 2013 mid-term break
Schools will close from Monday 11th February 2013 to Friday 15th February 2013 inclusive. See note above.
Easter 2013
Schools will close on Friday 22nd March 2013, which will be the final day of the school term. Schools will re-open on Monday 8th April 2013. See note above.
School Year 2013/14
October 2013 mid-term break
Schools will close from Monday 28th October 2013 to Friday 1st November 2013 inclusive.
Christmas 2013
Schools will close on Friday 20th December 2013 which will be the final day of the school term. Schools will re-open on Monday 6th January 2014.
February 2014 mid-term break
Schools will close from Monday 17th February 2014 to Friday 21st February 2014. See note above.
Easter 2014
Schools will close on Friday 11th April 2014, which will be the final day of the school term. Schools will re-open on Monday 28th April 2014. See note above.