Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 May 2026
249. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of section 29 appeals that have been received by her Department from parents seeking school places in the Kildare South constituency, by school, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38478/26]
View answerThe 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.
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.
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
The Section 29 Administration Unit is unable to isolate data in relation to Section 29 appeals regarding admission decisions for the specific region requested but has provided figures for County Kildare. Furthermore, as the Deputy did not specify a timeframe, data for the years 2025 and 2026 to date have been supplied.
Section 29 Appeals in relation to admission decisions for 2025 are as follows:
|
School |
Qty. Received |
|
An Linbh Iosa, Ballycane, Naas, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Ardscoil Rath Iomgháin, Rathangan, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Celbridge Community School, Moortown, Maynooth Road, Celbridge, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Holy Family Secondary School, Naas Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Kildare Town Community School, Dunmurry Road, Kildare Town |
2 |
|
Maynooth Community College, Mariavilla, Moyglare Road, Maynooth, Co. Kildare |
6 |
|
Mercy Convent Primary School, Sallins Road, Naas, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Naas Community National School, Craddockstown Road, Naas, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Patrician Secondary School, Naas Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare |
2 |
|
S N Brighde, Kill, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
S N Coill Dubh, Coill Dubh, Naas, Co. Kildare |
2 |
|
Salesian College, Celbridge, Co. Kildare |
3 |
|
Scoil Bríd, Oldtown, Naas, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Scoil Bride, Athgarvan, The Curragh, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Scoil Chorbain, Fairgreen, Naas, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane, Naas, Co. Kildare |
3 |
|
St Conleth's Community College, Station Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
St Farnan's Post Primary School, Prosperous, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Ursaille Naofa, Stephenstown South, Two Mile House, Naas, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Total |
31 |
Section 29 Appeals in relation to admission decisions for 2026 up to 19 May 2026 are as follows:
|
School |
Qty. Received |
|
Confey Community College, Confey, Leixlip, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Craddockstown School, Craddockstown Education Campus, Craddock Road, Naas, Kildare |
1 |
|
Maynooth Post Primary School, Mariavilla, Moyglare Road, Maynooth, Co. Kildare |
2 |
|
Mercy Convent Primary School, Sallins Road, Naas, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Naas Community College, Osberstown, Millennium Park, Naas, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Patrician Secondary School, Naas Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare |
3 |
|
Scoil Chorbain, Fairgreen, Naas, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Scoil Mhichil Naofa, Mount Hawkins, Athy, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
Scoil Na Naomh Uilig, Rickardstown, Newbridge, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
St Annes Special School, Ballymany Cross, The Curragh, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
St Brigids N S, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
St Conleths And Marys N S, Newbridge, Co. Kildare |
1 |
|
St Raphaels Special Sch, Clane Road, Celbridge |
2 |
|
Total |
17 |
