Sharp rise in schools accepting non-catchment youngsters

The number of children accepted to schools despite living outside the catchment area has risen by more than 20 per cent in a year.

A Freedom of Information request to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture asked about the number of out-of-area children accepted to schools.

In its response, the department said in 2023 there were 103 youngsters - but in 2024 that had risen to 125.

So far this year, the number of children accepted to schools from outside their catchment area is 37.