The figures reveal that 94 15-year-olds dropped out of school in Cork city while in Cork county the number was 313 making a total of 407. Fine Gael city councillor Patricia Gosch pointed out that the drop out rate for 15-year-olds has doubled in the past five years and despite this there are only 83 Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) employed by the state to deal with the problem.

She added, “EWOs are employed to deal with the problem and intervene early but only one quarter of the necessary EWOs have been recruited despite recommendations that 360 are needed nationally”.

In its pre-budget submission the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) said that its staff struggle to meet the demands of their remit in the most disadvantaged areas and due to resourcing issues can only respond in cases where children are absent for 60 days or more.

Cllr Gosch concluded, “This is simply not good enough and we are seeing the result of government inaction in Cork. The necessary education supports have not been put in lace and it is the 407 early school leavers that are paying the price”.

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