More than 56,000 students miss school every day, with urban school children missing more days than those in rural areas, according to a new attendance report.
Dublin had the highest average rate of primary school absenteeism at 7.3 per cent per day; while Monaghan had the lowest rate at 4.9 per cent.
In post primary schools Roscommon topped the chart with on average 11.3 per cent of student missing school daily, Waterford had the lowest rate at 7.2 per cent.
The annual Analysis of School Attendance report for the school year 2009/2010 was published today at St Francis Street CBS Primary School, Dublin by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald.
"Non-attendance in all forms is higher in urban schools. Twenty–day absences distinguish urban from rural schools much more sharply than the general non-attendance does. Suspensions, while uncommon, are more common is urban schools," the report compiled by the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) said.
Ms Fitzgerald said absenteeism had fallen in the 2009/2010 school year but the number of students missing everyday remained a significant concern.
"Over 56,000 students still missed school each day. This must remain a significant cause for concern and demonstrates the need for a sustained and focused approach to supporting student attendance, participation and retention," she said.
The report found that absenteeism was higher in post primary schools at on average 7.9 per cent of all school days; while in primary schools 6.2 per cent of schools days were missed by students.
There were 1,051 suspensions in primary schools in 2009/2010; while some 14,162 suspensions were handed out in post primary schools, a small decrease on the previous year.
Expulsions remain rare with 158 students expelled from primary and post primary schools in the school year ending 2010, up from 142 in 2009.
A total of 9,485,562 days of school were missed by students across the State in 2009/10.