Children living in hotels due to housing crisis struggle to attend school

Education welfare officers have admitted cases have come to light of children, living in hotels due to the housing crisis, who are struggling to attend school.

As the number of families living in emergency accommodation — including hotels and B&Bs — continues to grow, the Child and Family Agency Tusla has said the relocation of children has placed an additional strain on them as they try to get to school. The issue is most acute in Dublin where the largest number of homeless families are accommodated.

The National Education Welfare Board, which used to monitor school absenteeism, has now been absorbed into Tusla. Dan O’Shea, regional manager with Educational Welfare Services, said children wanted to attend school but faced challenges due to their circumstances.