West Cork councillors seek September school return to protect tourism season

Councillor Finbarr Harrington said many schools were now returning during August, prompting families to leave holiday areas early to prepare for the ...

Councillor Brendan McCarthy said there could be a noticeable change in coastal tourist towns when schools reopened, with visitors leaving in the final weeks of August.

David Forsythe West Cork councillors have agreed to ask the Minister for Education, Hildegarde Naughton, to consider a return to the traditional September start for schools.

They argue that earlier August reopening dates are cutting into the region’s tourism season.

A letter is to be sent to the minister following a motion from Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington, seconded by Fine Gael councillor Brendan McCarthy, at a recent meeting of Cork County Council’s West Cork Municipal District.

Mr Harrington said the latter part of August should be one of the busiest periods of the year for tourism businesses in West Cork.

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However, he said many schools were now returning during August, prompting families to leave holiday areas early to prepare for the new school year.

He said the effect was felt by bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, hotels, restaurants, cafés, pubs and other tourism-related businesses. Mr Harrington said visitors did not only support accommodation providers, but also spent money in shops, attractions and local experiences.

Mr McCarthy said he supported the motion and had seen the impact of school reopening on hospitality businesses.

He said while the school calendar gave schools some flexibility around whether time was taken at the end of August or the end of June, holidays for the rest of the year were the same all over the country. Mr McCarthy said there can be a noticeable change in coastal tourist towns when schools reopened, with visitors leaving in the final weeks of August.

Independent Ireland councillor Daniel Sexton also supported the proposal. Mr Sexton said there should be a discussion on whether it was preferable to finish school later in June or return later in August, taking account of the impact on tourism businesses.

In her written response, Eimear O’Neill, municipal district officer for West Cork, said a letter would be sent to the Minister for Education with the agreement of members.

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