Pandemic-era “chronic” school absenteeism shows little sign of improvement, as 35% of children attending the most disadvantaged schools are missing at least a month of school. Schools in poorer areas and special schools are experiencing higher rates of school absences than mainstream schools in more affluent locations, new analysis shows. A report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), in partnership with Tusla Education Support Service, found that 30% of primary schools experienced a rise in “chronic absences” between 2022/23 and 2023/24. Pooled data from all primary schools indicated that 46.7% of all absences were due to illness. Key measures taken include issuing attendance grants to all schools in December to “promote and support regular school attendance”.

Source: Irish Examiner January 26, 2026 00:04 UTC