John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if Greystones is one of the areas to be included in the pilot common application system for the 2025-2026 admissions process; if not, if she will include it in this pilot considering the recurring enrolment issues for secondary school places in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42430/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The rollout of the pilot Single Application System marks a significant step towards fulfilling the Programme for Government commitment to introduce a nationwide common application system.

As the Deputy will be aware, the pilot Single Application System for admission to first year at post-primary schools will involve five towns: Athenry, Celbridge, Clonakilty, Greystones and Tullamore.

The pilot will provide a single online application form for parents or guardians who want to apply for a first-year place for their child in participating schools, including for special classes. Parents will be able to apply to any or all schools within their pilot area on one online application.

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 across the country. Duplicate applications, families choosing specific schools, and students applying from outside the local area can make it seem like schools are more full than they are. These factors can give an incomplete picture of how many places are available in 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 pilot online Single Application System is set to launch in autumn 2025 for the 2026/27 admissions cycle. This initiative aims to streamline the application process, improve transparency, and support more effective planning and equitable access to school places. Importantly, it also aims to lay the groundwork for a robust, nationwide system.

Applications will open from 1 October 2025 for school places in September 2026 and detailed information for parents and guardians will be available in September 2025.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work closely with schools, patrons, management bodies and other key stakeholders in the five pilot areas.