Deis plan to emphasise retention of students up to Leaving Cert and beyond

Education minister Helen McEntee will update Cabinet on her work to establish a new Deis+ scheme to support schools with the highest level of educational disadvantage

In second-level Deis schools, 30.7% of students missed 20 days or more. This compares to 19.5% for non-Deis schools. Picture: iStock

A new government plan will focus on tackling rising absenteeism levels in schools and keeping more students from disadvantaged areas in education to Leaving Cert level and beyond.

On Tuesday, education minister Helen McEntee will update cabinet on a new Deis plan to focus on "improving the opportunities for children at risk of educational disadvantage".