The campaign by fee-paying and other schools against moves to practically outlaw places being held for children of past pupils has succeeded, as Fianna Fáil plans to support Government plans in this area.

Parents and school organisations have warned the Government’s school admissions reform bill fails to go far enough, as it did not definitively address religious discrimination in over-subscribed facilities.

An attempt by Labour to stop schools using religious beliefs alone as a grounds for admission has been defeated in the Dáil.