Children who miss days during term time by going on holidays with their parents are at risk of long term education damage.

At a time where money is tight, parents are choosing to take their kids on vacation during the school term because it is cheaper to do so.

There are 183 days in the school year and research shows that on average pupils are missing 11 days.

According to the Irish Examiner this morning, "The National Education Welfare Board said if a child missed school to go on a package holiday every year, they will have missed a full year"s education by the time they get to Leaving Certificate."

Understandably, holidays are rare to come by for some families who have been hit hard by the recession and it is a tough decision to call.

31,400 primary pupils and 24,700 secondary school pupils are missing from school everyday.

The NEWB is responsible to follow up any child who has missed more than 20 days in a school year.

While genuine reasons such as illness, family occasions and unexpected circumstances are taken into account, the Board"s main focus is attaining full attendance across the state which benefits the children later in life.