Measures are being introduced to tackle absenteeism.
A media campaign will be launched by the Government later this year to highlight the importance of school attendance.
It's one of a number of measures being introduced to tackle growing rates of absenteeism.
A framework to help schools analyse data to make better decisions, and a review of school starting times are also being brought in this September.
Tullamore's Michael Gillespie, General Secretary of the Teachers' Union of Ireland, says it's most important for teachers to be able to form stronger relationships with students:
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