Athenry chosen as pilot town for new school application system

Athenry has been chosen as a pilot town for a new school application system from October.

Participating schools include Presentation College, Clarin College and Coláiste an Eachréidh.

Athenry and four other towns - Celbridge, Clonakilty, Greystones and Tullamore - will pilot the single application system for children who are due to start first year in 2027.

Education Minister Helen McEntee hopes the new system will help speed up the application process

Listen Now

Key benefits expected from the pilot include:

• A simplified, unified online application process for parents
• More certainty and clarity for parents
• Reduced administrative overhead for schools
• Earlier identification of duplicate applications
• Improved data to support school and departmental planning
• Valuable insights to inform development towards a national system over the coming years