More than 75,000 post-primary students missed at least 20 days of school during the 2024/25 academic year, according to new figures from Tusla’s Education Support Service. The latest data highlights a persistent attendance challenge across Irish schools, despite some improvement at primary level.
Key attendance figures in Ireland
The annual Student Absence Report found that 75,649 secondary students experienced what is classified as chronic absenteeism, meaning they missed more than 20 days during the school year. That figure was 67,612 in 2023/24, representing an increase of more than 8,000 students.
Tusla Education Support Service said overall attendance showed some progress, but the level of long-term absence remains a concern. The report indicates that approximately one in five students continues to miss a month or more of the school year.
- Post-primary: 75,649 students missed more than 20 days.
- Primary: Chronic absenteeism fell from 22.1% to 19%.
- Primary school days lost: More than 6.16 million, or 7.3% of the total.
- Post-primary school days lost: Approximately 6.26 million, or 10.7% of the total.
Why the latest Irish education figures matter
School attendance affects far more than classroom learning. Regular attendance supports academic progress, friendships, wellbeing and a student’s sense of connection to school. Missing extended periods can make it harder for young people to keep up with lessons, complete assessments and remain engaged with their peers.
The report also provides an important picture of the continuing effects of disrupted education. Although the number of absences has fallen from its peak during the pandemic period, absence levels remain above those recorded before Covid-19.
Attendance remains above pre-pandemic levels
At primary level, the number of students recorded as absent was 76,786 in the latest report, compared with 16,501 in 2019. At post-primary level, the corresponding figures were 44,943 and 15,701.
Absences reached particularly high levels in 2021, when the reported figures rose to 140,840 at primary level and 53,082 at post-primary level. The comparison shows that attendance has improved from its pandemic-era peak, but has not returned to earlier patterns.
Primary attendance improves while secondary absence rises
The data shows a mixed picture across the education system. At primary level, more than 6.16 million school days were missed in 2024/25, down by approximately 87,000 on the previous year. The proportion of days lost also declined from 8% to 7.3%.
At post-primary level, more than 6.26 million days were lost, an increase of about 230,000. Tusla said the rise was largely linked to an increase of approximately 8,000 students in the post-primary population, but the overall rate of absence remains significant.
The figures underline why education policy in Ireland is focusing not only on the total number of missed days, but also on patterns of repeated or extended absence affecting individual students.
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What is being done to improve school attendance?
Tusla and the Department of Education have introduced measures intended to identify attendance problems earlier and encourage more consistent participation in school.
Anseo attendance framework
One initiative, known as Anseo, has been introduced in 213 schools. The framework is designed to help schools identify attendance patterns at student, class and whole-school level. This can allow staff to recognise emerging concerns and develop targeted responses.
A national multimedia campaign is also being used to raise awareness of the importance of attending school regularly. The campaign reflects the view that improving attendance requires cooperation between schools, families, students and support services.
What Tusla says about chronic absenteeism
Áine O’Keeffe, national service director of the Tusla Education Support Service, described attendance as a persistent issue in both primary and post-primary education, while acknowledging overall progress.
She said regular attendance gives children a stronger opportunity to benefit from education, including learning, wellbeing, social development and a sense of belonging. TESS has said its core role is to raise awareness of non-attendance and support positive changes in attendance behaviour.
What happens next for Irish schools?
The new figures are likely to inform continued work by schools, Tusla and the Department of Education. The immediate focus will be on understanding why students are missing substantial periods of school and ensuring that support is available where attendance difficulties arise.
For parents and guardians, the report reinforces the importance of contacting a school when attendance begins to decline. Early communication may help schools identify barriers and connect families with appropriate supports before absence becomes entrenched.
Frequently asked questions
What is chronic absenteeism?
In this report, chronic absenteeism means missing more than 20 days of school during the academic year.
How many secondary students were chronically absent?
There were 75,649 post-primary students who missed more than 20 days in the 2024/25 school year.
Did attendance improve in Irish primary schools?
Yes. The share of primary pupils experiencing chronic absenteeism fell from 22.1% in 2023/24 to 19% in 2024/25.
Are absence levels back to pre-pandemic levels?
No. The report says total school absences remain above the levels recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The wider meaning of today’s Ireland education news
The latest Irish education figures show that attendance is improving in some areas, but long-term absence remains a serious challenge, particularly at post-primary level. The central takeaway is clear: reducing missed school days will require sustained attention to learning, wellbeing, family circumstances and the support available to students.
This Breaking News Ireland update demonstrates that recovering attendance is not simply about returning to pre-pandemic numbers. It is about ensuring students are present, supported and able to participate fully in school life.
