The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, was signed into law by the President on the 18th July 2018.
This Act is an important piece of legislation which will introduce a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools in this country and a fair and balanced school admission process for all pupils.
The Act contains a provision, which was commenced on 3rd October 2018 and is operational since that date, amending the Equal Status Act 2000 to prohibit the use of religion as a selection criterion in primary school admissions, with certain protections provided to ensure that a child of a minority religion can access a school providing a religious instruction or religious education programme consistent with his or her religious beliefs.