Apply to School Online Admissions System Expanded to Rosscarbery and Clonakilty

The expanded Apply to School pilot online admissions system for post-primary schools launched on 1 October, and is now available to families applying for places in participating schools in Rosscarbery and Clonakilty. Applications close on Thursday, 22 October.

Mount St Michael in Rosscarbery has joined the initiative, alongside two Cork schools already participating in the programme: Sacred Heart Secondary School and Clonakilty Community College, both located in Clonakilty. The two Clonakilty schools took part in the successful pilot programme last year.

The Apply to School platform was first introduced in 2025 across 15 schools in Athenry, Celbridge, Greystones, Clonakilty and Tullamore. Following the success of the pilot, the initiative has been expanded and launched for the 2027/2028 admissions cycle, providing a simpler and more streamlined way to apply for first-year places through a single online application form.

Welcoming the launch, Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, said:

"I am delighted to see the launch of the expanded Apply to School pilot system and to see more families in Cork benefiting from this innovative service. Building on the success of last year's pilot programme, this initiative is making the admissions process simpler, more transparent and less stressful for parents and students.

By listening to feedback from schools and parents, we have continued to improve the system so that it works better for everyone involved. This is an important step towards delivering a streamlined national approach to school admissions, reducing administrative burdens for schools while providing a more user-friendly experience for families."

In total, 22 post-primary schools are taking part in the expanded Apply to School system. The enhanced online process is expected to directly benefit around 2,600 families applying for first-year places in October 2026. Parents and guardians are reminded of the 22 October deadline to submit applications.

The expansion follows a comprehensive review of the pilot programme involving participating schools. Feedback from both parents and schools was overwhelmingly positive, with the pilot achieving a customer effort score of 80%.

A number of enhancements have been incorporated into the expanded system, drawing on feedback from participating schools. These updates support clearer communication between schools and families, help align admissions timelines, and streamline aspects of the admissions process. Overall, the system aims to deliver a more transparent, simple and user-friendly admissions process for both mainstream and special education placements.

Detailed information for parents and guardians is available on applytoschool.ie