Minister McEntee announces pilot Single Application System for Post-Primary School Admissions
- Published on: 3 July 2025
- Last updated on: 4 July 2025
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan have today announced the launch of a pilot Single Application System for admission to first year at post-primary schools in 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.
Applications will open from 1 October 2025 for school places in September 2026.
Minister McEntee said:
“I am committed to introducing a nationwide common application system that streamlines school admissions for all families. This will be a gamechanger for parents and students, including those looking for a place in a special class.
“Today we are taking a first step towards this goal, in launching a pilot Single Application System for schools in Athenry, Celbridge, Clonakilty, Greystones and Tullamore.
“This pilot is an important step towards delivering a more efficient, transparent, and equitable school application process. It will reduce stress for parents and children, ease administrative burdens on schools, and support better planning for school places.
“This pilot allows us to deliver early benefits and gather critical feedback. It also holds transformative potential for families seeking special education placements.
“Stakeholder engagement will be central to the pilot’s success, and I look forward to working closely with schools, patrons, management bodies, and other key stakeholders in the five pilot areas.”
Minister Moynihan commented:
“The rollout of a nationwide common application system is a key commitment of this government, and this Single Application System pilot is an important step in achieving this aim.
"The application process can be a stressful time for families, particularly when it comes to special education placements, and we need to ensure parents have certainty and peace of mind, while also simplifying the administrative process for schools and further strengthening our ability to forward plan.
"The pilot will ensure we have a more streamlined approach for families and schools, including those looking for a special class placement, and will offer valuable insights as we work towards a nationwide roll-out.”
This pilot marks a significant step towards fulfilling the Programme for Government commitment to introduce a nationwide common application system, aimed at reducing stress for parents and students during the school admissions process.
Parents will be able to apply to any or all schools within their pilot area on one online application. Then all applications will be processed by schools within set timelines. 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
Notes
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, the Department of Education and Youth 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.
Detailed information for parents and guardians will be available in September 2025.
