School absenteeism has always been a problem and probably always will, according to the Irish Primary Principals Network.

The organisation was reacting to the news that on any given day, as many as 56,000 pupils and students are out of school.

Data from the National Educational Welfare Board reveals that 6% of primary school days and 8% of post primary school days are lost through absenteeism, but that marks an improvement.

These figures are at the lowest level for the five year period from 2006 to 2011. The decrease in days lost in primary from 6.2 to 6.1% means that about 500 more primary school pupils attended school per day.

The Children's minister Frances Fitzgerald welcomed in particular the news that post-primary schools in disadvantaged areas, known as DEIS schools, have seen their absenteeism drop 1% from 2009/10 and just over 3% from 2008/9.

Referring to the establishment, in coming months, of the new Child and Family Agency, the Minister said it was important for all of the child-based services to work together: “The transfer of service related agencies such as the NEWB to the CFA is integral to meeting the needs of children and families as it will greatly facilitate services working together to ensure consistency and quality with respect to case intake, risk assessment; referral to appropriate services; and case-working.”

Maria Doyle, Deputy President of the Irish Primary Principals' Network gave her organisation's reaction to Newstalk's Breakfast: