Minister for Education Mary Hanafin announced plans today to provide an additional 80 home school community liaison teachers to work outside the classroom with children, schools and parents.
The full-time positions will be filled after the mid-term break, with staff concentrating on children who are considered to be at risk of dropping out of school and pupils who are not able to participate fully in the education system.
The additional teachers will act as a link between home and school, encouraging parents to become more involved in their children's education.
"Teachers working on the scheme focus directly on the caring adults in children's lives - their parents or guardians," Ms Hanafin said.
"They act as a link between home and school, encouraging parents to become more involved in their children's education.
"The knock on effect of helping the adults is they have more confidence to interact with their child's school and their education.
"Pupils attendance and participation in school also increases," she said.
Minister Hanafin added the new positions will take the number of staff who will be working directly with children, schools, parents and the wider community to ensure pupils at risk can reach their full potential to 450.