School waiting lists to be phased out within next 3 to 5 years

The new school admissions legislation is to phase out waiting lists for fee-paying schools within the next three to five years.

Parents who have managed to get their child on a waiting list will no longer be able to receive the advantage of doing so and instead will have the option to apply for enrolment a year in advance of possibly joining the school. Schools will be allowed set aside up to 25 percent of places for children of past pupils also. According to the Irish Times, a spokesman for the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, said waiting lists for schools can cause discrimination particularly towards people who are new to an area. However, there are some fee-paying schools which currently have names on waiting lists that have been there for over a decade and a number of principals of private schools have expressed their concerns over potential legal action from parents in these or similar situations. The amendments to the legislation were supposed to come into play in September 2017 but it is now thought they will be postponed until 2018. A short transitionary period will also be given to schools, allowing them to adapt to the changes. Under the amended legislation schools will be compelled to give details as to how they will be providing for children who decline to partake in religious education and services. They will also no longer be allowed charge admission fees.