How primary school admissions work in Ireland
When to apply, what schools can and can't ask, how places are decided when a school is full, and how to appeal a refusal.
Updated 5 October 2026
Every state-funded primary school follows the same law on admissions: the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. Here's what it means for you.
Start with the school's admission policy
Each school must publish an admission policy on its website. It sets out how the school decides who gets a place if there are more applicants than places, and any age rules for starting junior infants. Cut-off dates for age are set by each school, so check the policy for the schools you're considering.
Watch for the annual admission notice
Every year, each school publishes an admission notice at least a week before applications open. It tells you how many places there are, when you can apply, when you'll hear back and how long you have to accept. Schools can't open applications before 1 October of the year before your child would start.
What schools can't do
- Charge a fee to apply or to be admitted. Schools can ask for a voluntary contribution, but a place can't depend on paying it.
- Give priority based on when your application arrived. First-come, first-served lists are gone.
- Use religion to decide between children, with one exception: a minority-faith school can prioritise children of that faith.
- Interview children or parents, or select on ability, parents' jobs or income, preschool attendance, disability, Traveller status, race, family status or sexual orientation.
Schools can keep up to 25% of places for children or grandchildren of past pupils, and many give priority to brothers and sisters of current pupils. Check the school's policy for its exact criteria.
If your child is refused a place
- If the school was full, first ask the board of management to review the decision. The school will tell you how.
- You can then appeal to the Department of Education and Youth under Section 29 of the Education Act. Appeals about admissions must be made within 63 days of the refusal.
- For a refusal for any other reason, you can appeal straight to the Department.
When must children start school?
School is compulsory from age 6. In practice almost all children start junior infants in the September after they turn 4 or 5.
Looking at schools now? Search every primary school to see size, ethos and language side by side.
Sources
- Citizens Information: Admission policies in primary and secondary schools
- gov.ie: School admissions and enrolment
- gov.ie: Appeal against refusal to enrol
- Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018
Rules and rates change. Check the official source before you rely on a detail, and tell us at [email protected] if something's out of date.