Report: Children of jobless parents more likely to skip school

The children of unemployed parents are eight times more likely to skip school regularly than those of working people, according to new research published today.

The ESRI and the National Educational Welfare Board say young males from poor backgrounds are the most likely to miss secondary school regularly.

The report also shows that members of the travelling community are five times more likely to skip school on a regular basis than settled people.

Selina McCoy, the author of the study, says absenteeism has long-term impacts on students' lives as they are achieve poorer results, are less likely to progress to further study and are more likely to be unemployed.