There was a mixed reaction by parents in Limerick yesterday as nearly 90 children who had been denied second-level places for next year finally secured them.
While some parents were happy that their children had been offered places nearly three weeks after the first round of offers, others were disappointed that theirs had only received a place in schools which were fifth and last on their list of preferences.
Labour Party spokeswoman on education and Limerick East TD Jan O'Sullivan confirmed yesterday that some parents were planning to appeal against the allocation of places under the Education Act.
"I have spoken to some parents today who were very upset because their children were given places at schools which are far from their homes. In some cases the children don't know anyone else in these schools, and they feel very remote and isolated," she said.
Under Section 29 of the Education Act parents can appeal against any school for not offering a place to their child if they can show good reason for the appeal.
The controversy began after 87 sixth-class children were not offered secondary school places for next year when the first round of offers was sent out on February 11th as part of a new CAO-type application system.
The application system was introduced in Limerick last year after problems arose when 17 children from disadvantaged areas were unable to find a place in any city secondary school.
Under the new system every sixth-class pupil in the city was asked to fill in an application form listing their first five school preferences.
However, when the first round of offers was sent out last month, nearly 90 children were left without a school place.
Ms O'Sullivan also confirmed that a public meeting has been called for next Monday in Limerick to ensure that similar problems do not arise again next year.