Updated 10.16

The Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn is today publishing legislation which he says will make the schools' enrolment system fairer for children and parents.

It includes a ban on waiting lists and an end to the practice of seeking deposits from parents.

Ruairí Quinn says the proposed legislation and regulations will make the enrolment process fairer and more transparent.

Under the regulations schools can only take names of prospective pupils 11 months before the start of the school year.

No admission fees can be charged by schools and they can no longer conduct interviews with parents and children ahead of enrolment.

However, schools will be still allowed to prioritise places for an applicant who is a sibling of an existing or former student.

The new Bill and regulations now go to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education to allow for a full public discussion.

Education minister Ruairí Quinn told Newstalk Breakfast about what he hopes to achieve:

The Irish Primary Principals Network has welcomed the draft legislation on school enrolment practices.

The organisation say the new procedures will give children with special education needs, children from the new Irish community, traveller children and children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, an equal opportunity to be enrolled in the school of their parents' choice.

Education Editor with the Irish Independent, Katherine Donnelly, told Newstalk's Breakfast about the proposals: