Many Irish parents are grappling with the decision to take children out of school for family holidays, weighing financial savings against educational drawbacks.
Discussions highlight the conflict between affordable travel options and potential impacts on learning, with some families opting for term-time trips to cut costs. This trend reflects broader pressures on household budgets amid rising holiday prices.
In Ireland, the decision to take children out of school for holidays is a growing trend, with nearly 360,000 primary school days lost to term-time holidays recently, a figure nearly triple pre-pandemic levels.
While the practice is common, it involves navigating specific legal obligations and educational concerns.
Schools have a legal mandate to report any student who misses 20 days or more in a school year to Tusla (the Child and Family Agency). Under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, parents must notify the school in writing of any absence and the reason for it.
Unlike England, Ireland does not have a system of automatic fines for taking children on holiday during term time. If attendance is deemed a serious problem, Tusla may issue a School Attendance Notice. Failure to comply can lead to prosecution, with fines of up to €634.87 and/or one month in prison.
Parents explain they do it because
- Peak holiday prices are the primary driver. Families can save over €1,500 by travelling in June rather than July or August.
- Many parents avoid Mediterranean destinations in July/August due to extreme heat and overcrowding, preferring the milder weather of May, June, or September.
- Some parents argue that travel provides “real-world” learning in history, culture, and geography that exceeds a week in the classroom.
From the educators’ perspective, teachers emphasise that missing school isn’t just about the curriculum; it can lead to social anxiety and difficulty re-integrating with peers.
Schools are generally not required to provide extra work for children on holiday, and teachers often find it challenging to help students “catch up” on missed foundational lessons.
Both the Department of Education and Tusla strongly advise against term-time holidays, stating that every day missed can impact long-term academic achievement.
