Over one-quarter of secondary students from poorer areas miss school for at least one month in every academic year, according to the first national report of non-attendance.
Every national and second-level school in the State was surveyed for the report by the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB), the new Government agency for school attendance.
Members of the board were said to be "shocked" and " worried" by the preliminary results, which were detailed to the Minister of State for Education and Science (with responsibility for children), Mr Brian Lenihan, last week.
The main findings were:
Second-level: 26 per cent of second-level students in poorer areas miss school for at least 20 school days (one month) every year; 91 per cent of all second-level pupils missed 15 schools days (three weeks) or more.
Primary Level: 11 per cent of all primary school children miss at least 20 days per year; 93 per cent of primary pupils miss at least 12 days per year.
Sources say the high level of absenteeism in poorer areas confirms anecdotal evidence from teachers that absenteeism is reaching what they call "epidemic proportions" in poorer areas.
One source said : "It begs questions as to why we did not know this before now."
The survey results, however, include both "authorised" non-attendance (such as when a student is ill) and "unauthorised", when a student is absent for no good reason.
Last night, sources said the figures also pointed to a relatively high level of absenteeism in middle-class areas. Many parents, according to one source, are taking children out of school to avail of cheaper holidays during the school term.
The new findings will boost the case made by the NEWB for additional support. In recent months the three teaching unions have complained about the under-resourcing of the new board.
Under the new system, education welfare officers have replaced school attendance officers. However, lack of resources means that nine counties in the State have no welfare officers to check on school attendance.
The board is now concentrating its efforts in so-called RAPID schools , which are designated as disadvantaged.
The NEWB is dealing with 1,500 "acute cases". These would involve children who consistently fail to attend school. In a further indication of the widespread nature of the problem, the helpline operated by the board has received 2,500 calls, mostly from concerned parents .
The board was told 83 per cent of primary schools and 71 per cent of second-level schools responded to the survey, making this the most complete national picture of school attendance. The survey related to the period up to the end of June this year.