September 1st should be the standard date for schools to return after the summer holidays because starting in August is damaging the tourism sector, according to the former mayor of Co Cork, Alan Coleman.

Cllr Coleman, who intends to run as an Independent candidate in the next general election, said depriving tourist operators of a large share of the family market at the end of August was proving detrimental.

“As many operators have mentioned to me, it is a long winter to survive and all opportunities need to be capitalised. In essence we need practical joined-up thinking between our elected Ministers to solve a very simple problem.”

In February 2014 the Department of Education issued a directive to schools standardising the dates for Christmas, Easter and midterm holidays, but did not give a clear instruction on the date schools should return from summer holidays.

Cllr Coleman has written to the Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan.