Worrying increase in child truancy numbers, Tusla figures show 

Figures show more than 8,000 referrals were made to the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) between September 2023 and August of last year. File picture

Tusla figures have shed light on an increase in child truancy that saw the number of parents summoned to court rise significantly.

The latest data revealed that 111 families received summonses in 2024, marking an increase of 81 on the previous year.