Second-level students should not necessarily stop working in part-time jobs - but should ensure their studies do not suffer as a result, the Minister for Education and Science believes.
At the launch of a new ESRI report, "At Work in School", Ms Hanafin said students would probably rebel if told to give up their part-time jobs. Over 60 per cent of Leaving Cert students now have a regular part-time job, according to the report.
While this was "very very worrying", Ms Hanafin said the report indicated the decision to work was a lifestyle choice rather than one of financial necessity.
"Part-time work in itself is not a bad thing. What is worrying is the level of paid employment which is there... the key thing for me in this is balance," she said.
The report shows the number of students working part-time has more than doubled in recent years, seriously affecting performance in State exams.
But it finds students from wealthier backgrounds have lower levels of involvement in part-time work, meaning their exam performance is less likely to suffer.
Ms Hanafin said the report also underlined that such work, if properly balanced, could contribute to the broader development of young people and smooth their transition to the labour market.
As a result, she said her priority would be to ensure appropriate legislation on the issue was being properly implemented, as well as the creation of a "positive school climate" for students and parents.
She will also highlight to her Government colleagues the fact that teenage boys working part-time were already being paid more than girls.
Among the key findings of the ESRI report, as previously reported in The Irish Times, are:
Almost one in three students working part-time say they spend a significant amount of their money on alcohol, with almost one in five saying they buy cigarettes. Half spend their money on clothes and shoes
Students working part-time achieve lower grades in the Leaving Cert than those who do not, regardless of the number of hours worked.
Students who work part-time are less likely to progress to further study after leaving school and are more likely to drop out.
Male students are also more likely to work while at school, frequently in jobs requiring at least 20 hours a week.
Part-time work is associated with increased chances of early school leaving, especially among young people working more than 15 hours a week.