Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. She mentioned the rate of chronic absence from schools has more than doubled after Covid. More than a quarter of primary schoolchildren and more than a fifth of secondary school students missed at least a month of school days during the 2022–23 school year. As the Minister said, the figure is even higher in disadvantaged areas, with 42% of children attending DEIS primary schools having missed 20 days or more during the 2022-23 school year.

I welcome the increase in the number of officers and agree they have an important role to play. The reason I am asking my question is that school leaders recognise the importance of the role and are appreciative of it and also recognise there are absences. When they seek support, it is not available. When does the Minister expect the recruitment to be completed? When does she expect the positions will be filled?

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