More than 20,000 places in the free second-level school sector in Dublin are empty, due to changing demographics and a rising demand for private education and grind schools.

There are at least 13,000 unfilled school places on the northside of Dublin and more than 7,000 on the southside, according to Department figures.

Estimates of unfilled places in Dublin schools include:

Sancta Maria, Ballyroan (250)

Coláiste Éanna (200)

Haddington Road (300)

Sion Hill (300)

Rockford Manor (150)

Synge Street (300)

Holy Faith, Clontarf (200)

O'Connell's (600).

Source: Department of Education, 2003