Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As previously outlined, there are 314 school planning areas, or just school areas, if you like. The planning and building unit would say that in less than ten of those school areas are there challenges and difficulties for people. I want to say clearly that I do not for one minute underestimate the stress and challenge that presents for parents who are intent on and need to get their children into school and have to go through the process.

On duplication, I fully understand why a parent would apply to a number of different schools if they feel there is pressure in an area. There is an opportunity, and the Deputy is quite correct. We have seen it work in other areas where there is a sharing of information or a central application system. We have piloted this in various areas around the country. It works quite well, and there is an opportunity. Basically, what we are asking schools to do is share their information with the Department. That is what schools are doing. Each school has autonomy over its own admissions, but it is very helpful when schools provide information directly to the Department.

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