Over 9,500 students suspended in Irish schools last year 

Meanwhile, the percentage of primary school pupils who were absent for at least 20 days increased greatly from 2019-2022, jumping from 5% to 40.3% of all pupils. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA

More than 9,500 students were suspended in primary and secondary schools last year.

The figure represents a sharp increase on previous years and has prompted questions from children's rights advocates, who say clarity must be given as to why suspensions are being imposed with such regularity.