Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
536. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there is an appeals process for primary school students who cannot avail of a place through the common admissions system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29973/26]
View answerThe Section 29 Administration Unit has clarified with the deputy's office that the reference to a "common admissions system" is not applicable to this question. The deputy has submitted a follow up question to clarify this. In this question, the deputy is asking about the appeal process for primary school students who have not secured a school place.
The department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area.
In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an admission policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998 (as amended).
Where a board of management decides to refuse admission, a parent/guardian can appeal that decision under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended) and an independent appeals committee, appointed by the Minister for Education, will be appointed to consider the appeal. The role of the Section 29 appeals committee is to examine the application for admission and consider if it was correctly processed by the school, in accordance with the school’s admission policy. The Section 29 appeals committee cannot consider matters that are not provided for within the school’s admission policy.
It is important to note that if a child has been refused admission due to the school being oversubscribed, and a parent or guardian wishes to appeal this decision they must firstly make a written request to the school seeking a review of the board of management’s decision. This request for a review to the board of management is time bound and must be made within 21 calendar days from the date of the decision by the school to refuse admission to their child. A Section 29 appeal must be made no later than 63 days from the date of the school’s original decision.
If a child has been refused admission for a reason other than the school being oversubscribed, a parent or guardian may, but is not required to, request a review by the board of management within 21 calendar days from the date of the decision by the school to refuse admission to their child. Where a child has been refused admission for a reason other than the school being oversubscribed and a parent or guardian does not choose to seek a review by the board of management, they may make an appeal to an independent appeals committee no later than 63 calendar days from the date of the school’s decision to refuse admission.
Full details on the Section 29 appeals process for refused admission are available on the Gov.ie website at the links below:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/8248c-appeals-in-relation-to-refusal-to-admit-a-student-due-to-a-school-being-oversubscribed/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/31c4f-appeals-in-relation-to-refusal-to-admit-a-student-for-a-reason-other-than-the-school-being-oversubscribed/
A Section 29 appeal can be made online, and all supporting documentation uploaded via www.section29appeals.gov.ie/. The relevant procedures for appeals where admission was refused due to oversubscription and appeals where admission was refused due to a reason other than oversubscription, are also available at the same link.
The department cannot initiate a Section 29 appeal on a student’s behalf. An appeal can only be made by a parent / legal guardian or a student who has reached the age of 18 years or a person appointed by the Child and Family Agency (Túsla). This person is then known as "The Appellant".
It may further be useful for you to be aware that the Educational Welfare Services within Túsla Education Support Services (TESS) is the legal body which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child.
Contact details for TESS are available at the following link www.tusla.ie/tess/get-in-touch/ or by email at tessinfo@tusla.ie.
