A National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is being established for the first time in Ireland. The new board will be responsible for monitoring school attendance, assisting children at risk and those who experience difficulties in or out of school.
The NEWB will aim to provide a range of strategies to schools to discourage absenteeism and early school-leaving.
The Minister for Education and Science Dr Woods said he is confident the work undertaken by the board will make "an important contribution towards alleviating educational disadvantage."
Dr Woods added the new board will play a leading role in implementing the provisions of the Education Welfare Act.