When to Apply for Primary School in Ireland (September 2027 Start)

When to apply for primary school in Ireland (2027 start)

For a child starting junior infants in September 2027, apply within each school's application window. A school cannot begin its formal admissions process before 1 October 2026, but it chooses its own opening and closing dates after that. Check the annual admission notice for every school on your shortlist.

Last reviewed 5 July 2026

Short answer: apply within each school's window

There is no national primary-school application date in Ireland and no single website to apply through. Each school runs its own admissions process under the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018, publishing an annual admission notice that sets out exactly when you can apply. For a September 2027 start, a school cannot begin its formal admissions process before 1 October 2026. Schools choose their own dates from then on, so identify your preferred schools now, watch for each one's admission notice, and apply on time to all of them.

The age rule

Your child must be at least 4 years old on 1 September of the year they start. Most children start junior infants at 4 or 5. Education is compulsory from age 6, so some parents choose to give a summer- born child an extra year. There is no obligation to send a child before they turn 6, but places are allocated by each school's admission policy, an older applicant does not get priority just for being older.

How the process actually works

Make a shortlist. Decide which schools you would be happy with, ideally three or four, and note where they are. Browse primary schools by county to compare options near you.
Read each school's admission policy and admission notice. These are published on the school's website. The admission notice gives the exact dates the school will accept applications for the 2027/28 year.
Apply within the window, to more than one school. Get your application in before the closing date, the exact date you apply inside the window does not affect your priority, but missing the deadline means you are treated as a late applicant. Applying to several schools protects you if your first choice is oversubscribed.
Have your documents ready. Schools usually ask for the child's birth certificate and PPS number, and sometimes proof of address.
Accept your offer in writing by the deadline. When you receive an offer you must confirm acceptance by the date given, or you can lose the place.

Oversubscribed schools: when a school has more applicants than places, its published admission policy decides who gets in, commonly children with a sibling already in the school, children living in the catchment area, or those from a named feeder school. Under the 2018 Act schools cannot use first-come-first-served, charge admission fees, interview families, or keep rolling waiting lists (existing lists had to be phased out by 31 January 2025). What matters is applying to the right schools within the correct year's window.

A rough timeline for a September 2027 start

Now – late 2026: shortlist schools, visit if you can, and check each school's website for when 2027/28 applications open.
From 1 October 2026: schools may begin their application windows. Check each annual admission notice and apply to every school on your shortlist within its stated dates.
Spring 2027: schools issue offers; accept your place in writing by the stated deadline.
Summer 2027: sort uniform, books and childcare, see our starting school checklist.

Planning childcare and preschool alongside it

Many families use the free preschool year before primary school, see the ECCE scheme explained, and the National Childcare Scheme to help with before- and after-school care once school starts. You can browse creches and preschools near you to line up care that fits around the school day.

For the official rules on enrolment and admissions, see citizensinformation.ie: starting primary school.

Frequently asked questions

Is there one national date to apply for primary school in Ireland?

No. Unlike some countries, Ireland has no central primary-school application date or portal. Under the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018 each school publishes its own annual admission notice with its own application dates, so timelines vary from school to school. You apply directly to each individual school.

How old must a child be to start primary school in Ireland?

A child must be at least 4 years old on 1 September of the year they start. Most children begin junior infants between the ages of 4 and 5. Education is compulsory from age 6, so many parents choose to wait until their child is closer to 5. There is no automatic right to a place at a particular school if it is oversubscribed.

How far in advance can I apply for a September 2027 place?

A school cannot begin accepting applications for the 2027/28 school year before 1 October 2026. Each school chooses its own dates from then on and publishes them in its annual admission notice. Apply within that window. Applying earlier within the window does not give priority, but a late application is handled after on-time applications.

What if my preferred school is oversubscribed?

Every school must publish an admission policy setting out how it prioritises applications when it has more applicants than places. Common criteria are having a sibling already in the school, living in the school's catchment area, or attending a named feeder school. Schools cannot select on a first-come-first-served basis, cannot charge admission fees, cannot interview families, and can no longer keep rolling waiting lists that carry from year to year. Apply to more than one school so you have a backup place.

Do I need my child's PPS number to apply?

Most schools ask for the child's PPS number and a copy of their birth certificate as part of the application. Have these ready before the window opens so you can apply promptly.

Last reviewed 5 July 2026. This guide is general information to help you plan, it is not official advice. Scheme rules, dates and amounts can change, so always confirm the current details with the relevant scheme or with your child's school before you rely on them.