School Admissions
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-12
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Hildegarde Naughton (FG), Galway West

The roll-out of the pilot single online application for schools represents a significant step towards improving the school admissions system. This system has for the first time provided families with a single online application process and introduced synchronised and streamlined timelines for schools to manage admissions and issue offers.
In recent years, demographic shifts and increasing demand for special class provision for students with special educational needs have placed growing pressure on school admissions processes across the country. Complexities in the admissions process can cause unnecessary stress for families and place a significant administrative burden on schools. In response to these challenges and a commitment in the programme for Government to reforming the admissions process, my Department is working towards a nationwide common application system. As a first step, the apply to school pilot scheme was launched in October of last year for the 2026-27 admissions cycle. The pilot was introduced for 15 post-primary schools in five school planning areas, namely Athenry, Celbridge, Clonakilty, Greystones and Tullamore.
While the apply to school pilot scheme received positive feedback, obtaining an 80% customer effort score, a key objective of the pilot project was to accumulate learnings for future developments. Detailed post-project evaluations with participating schools are currently under way and this input will be carefully considered and integrated into future iterations of the scheme. Key deliverable improvements to the system aimed at further enhancing user experiences are targeted for the next phase of the project. More complex issues, such as the expression of school preference, will be considered for future implementation following appropriate consultation with key stakeholders, and with a focus on an equitable and transparent solution.
I expect to have a further update on the next phase of this project later in quarter 1 of this year, which will include clarity on greater system functionality and a larger cohort of participating schools. I assure the Deputy that my departmental officials will continue to work in consultation with all stakeholders to develop an evidentially informed, equitable and trusted solution for the nationwide common application system.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-12/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-12