Nearly 90 children who were denied second-level places in Limerick for next year are to be sent letters later today offering them a place in a school of their choice, it has emerged.
According to Labour Party spokeswoman on education Jan O'Sullivan, who is also a TD in Limerick East, this means some schools appear to have been able to offer more places than had previously been suggested.
However, while she was aware of some parents whose children have now received an offer of a place in their first preference school, Ms O'Sullivan said it was still unclear if all of the students would be receiving an offer of a place at one of their five preferred schools.
This was because some would have reapplied for other schools after their initial application had been rejected, she said.
Under a CAO-style enrolment system introduced to address enrolment difficulties for children from disadvantaged areas - which previously led to claims of a form of "educational apartheid" in the area - all parents were allowed to list five schools as their top choices.
Earlier this month, however, it emerged that more than 80 children had failed to obtain a place. Many of these were thought to come from well-off areas.
"I welcome the indication that all 87 children without a secondary school place in Limerick will have offers posted to them today," Ms O'Sullivan said. "We will not know, of course, until they are received whether parents will consider them appropriate, but this is a major step forward."
At a public meeting to discuss the enrolment situation in Limerick last week, Ms O'Sullivan said she was informed there were 50 unfilled places in schools, but there were 87 students who were without a place.
"I can only assume that some schools have been able to offer more places," she said.
Another issue which had emerged was the right of parents to have their children educated through Irish, she added. Serious consideration should be given to the establishment of a co-educational Gael coláiste, she said.
"This has been a most hurtful time for the parents and children involved and must not arise again in the future."