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Minister Naughton Highlights Importance of Regular Attendance as 'Every School Day is a New Day' Campaign Resumes
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New ESRI research and upcoming TESS School Attendance Summit 2026 highlight a national focus on supporting attendance and student engagement
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has today (Thursday) highlighted the importance of regular school attendance as the latest phase of the national Every School Day is a New Day campaign rolls out across television, radio, digital and social media platforms this week.
Led by Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) and supported by the Department of Education and Youth, the campaign reminds children, young people and families that every school day offers a fresh opportunity to learn, participate, build friendships and develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive in school and beyond.
The latest phase of the campaign comes as families settle into routines at the start of the school year.
Later this month, stakeholders from across the education sector will gather at the TESS School Attendance Summit 2026 in Croke Park, which is framed around delivering on a child’s right to education. Delegates from government departments, state agencies and the community and voluntary sector will listen to the views of children, young people and parents about school attendance and explore solutions to persistent attendance challenges.
In advance of the summit, TESS and the ESRI are set to publish new research on school attendance, including TESS research on the views of parents and students. The ESRI’s Trajectories of school absence from 9 to 13 years of age and over time is due to be published this week. Commissioned by TESS using Growing Up in Ireland data, the report examines patterns of school absence and the family, school and neighbourhood factors that influence attendance among children and young people.
Minister Naughton said:
"Every school day is a new opportunity for children and young people to learn, grow, build friendships and develop skills that they need for the future.
“Regular attendance is one of the strongest foundations for positive educational, social and emotional outcomes. As families settle back into their school routines, I encourage parents and guardians to make school attendance a priority this year and to support their children to be present and engaged every day.
“The Every School Day is a New Day, the upcoming TESS School Attendance Summit, and new ESRI research, all reflect our shared commitment to understanding attendance patterns and strengthening supports for children and young people. They will help inform our ongoing efforts across the education system to support attendance and engagement.
“Across Ireland, there is outstanding work taking place every day to support attendance. School leaders, teachers, Home School Community Liaison coordinators, educational welfare officers and many others are working tirelessly to help students overcome barriers to attendance and remain engaged in their education.
“I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of schools, families and support services across the country who are helping students overcome barriers to attendance and reach their full potential."
Áine O'Keeffe, National Service Director of Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), said:
"The Every School Day is a New Day campaign highlights a simple but powerful message: every day in school matters and every day brings new opportunities for children and young people.
“Regular attendance supports learning, wellbeing, social development and a sense of belonging. When children are present and engaged in school, they are better placed to benefit from all aspects of education.
“We are looking forward to the TESS School Attendance Summit on 24 September, which will provide an opportunity not only to discuss the evidence, but also to engage all related departments, agencies and community groups along with parents and school leaders to deliver on a child’s right to education.
“The publication of the ESRI report commissioned by TESS and funded by the Department of Education and Youth this week is an important contribution to our understanding of attendance patterns and the factors that influence them. The findings will help inform policy, practice and future supports for children, young people and families. We look forward to exploring those findings further with stakeholders from across the education sector."
"Every day, schools, families, educational welfare officers and communities are collaborating to support children and young people to attend, participate and succeed in education. The summit will showcase many examples of this outstanding work and provide a valuable forum for sharing learning and best practice."
The TESS School Attendance Summit, taking place at Croke Park on 24 September, will bring together stakeholders including TESS, school leaders, teachers, , policymakers, researchers and community partners from across the country.
The Every School Day is a New Day campaign continues nationwide throughout September and into early October.
For more information, visit: www.gov.ie/schoolattendance
Notes to editors
- Every School Day is a New Day is a national school attendance campaign led by Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) and supported by the Department of Education and Youth.
- The current phase of the campaign is running across television, radio, digital and social media channels throughout September and into early October.
- The ESRI report, Trajectories of school absence from 9 to 13 years of age and over time, produced in partnership with TESS, is due to be published this week.
- The TESS School Attendance Summit 2026 will take place at Croke Park on 24 September and will bring together stakeholders from across the education system to share evidence, best practice and innovative approaches to supporting school attendance.