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Guides

Plain-English answers about Irish primary schools, checked against official sources.

For parents

How primary school admissions work in IrelandWhen to apply, what schools can and can't ask, how places are decided when a school is full, and how to appeal a refusal.
How to choose a primary school: what to look at and what to askA practical checklist for choosing a primary school in Ireland: the facts to compare, where to find inspection reports, and the questions worth asking at an open day.
Back to school checklist for primary school parentsWhat to sort before September: uniforms and shoes, books, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, routines, and the dates to put in your calendar.
Healthy school lunchbox ideas children will actually eatSimple ways to pack a balanced primary school lunch: what to include from each food group, the best drinks, portion sizes for younger children and swaps for treats.
Special classes and special schools: how a place worksHow children with additional needs get a place in a special class or special school in Ireland: the NCSE's Parents Notify form, the eligibility letter, and applying to schools.
What DEIS means for a primary schoolDEIS explained: how schools are chosen, the difference between Urban Band 1, Band 2 and Rural, and the extra supports DEIS schools get.
Irish-medium schools: gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht schoolsHow gaelscoileanna work, what total immersion means for junior infants, and what to know if you don't speak Irish at home.
School ethos and patronage explainedCatholic, Church of Ireland, Educate Together, Community National Schools: what a school's patron means, and your right to opt out of religious instruction.
Primary school costs and the help available (2026/27)Free schoolbooks, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, voluntary contributions, school transport and hot school meals.
Starting junior infants: a practical checklistWhat to sort before September, how schools help with the move from preschool, and simple ways to get your child ready.

For parents' associations