Minister moves on primary school absenteeism

CHILDREN’S Minister Frances Fitzgerald has asked for a report on the legal status of tens of thousands of children who are outside the law on tackling school absenteeism until they turn six.

The Irish Examiner revealed last week that more than 98% of children are aged four or five up to the start of the second term of junior infants.

Department of Education figures suggest about half the 67,000 pupils who started primary education last week will still not be covered by the Education (Welfare) Act until sometime in 2013.