School absenteeism - Pathetic figures for prosecutions

SCHOOL attendance problems have been spotlighted as a result of a request for information from Fine Gael TD Paul Connaughton. Education Minister Mary Hanafin replied that state prosecutions have been initiated against 28 sets of parents so far this year.

Ms Hanafin admits the number is small compared with the overall problem. Each year 84,000 children under the age of 16 miss more than 20 days of school.

Schools are obliged to notify the National Educational Welfare Board if a child misses more than 20 days. A board educational welfare officer must then visit the parents.