Children in special and Deis schools are absent for more days than peers, ESRI study revealsAround one-third of children attending special schools or Band 1 Deis schools have ‘chronic levels of absenteeism’School absence rates have increased since the pandemic and show little sign of improvementGreater rate of absences ‘likely to contribute to inequality in later life’ – report co-author‘Concerning’ – Children in special schools and DEIS schools absent for more days than peers, research findsMaeve McTaggart Yesterday at 06:30Children attending special schools and Deis schools in the most socio-­economically disadvantaged areas miss school at a much higher rate than their peers, new research has shown.

Source: Irish Independent January 27, 2026 02:55 UTC