Crisis as schools reject 50 students

EDUCATION Minister Noel Dempsey last night vowed to investigate any complaints of “education apartheid” made by Limerick parents after 50 students were refused places in local secondary schools.

The minister’s spokesman said the parents could appeal these decisions to his department and that no school can discriminate against pupils on academic ability or their address.

“We have got similar complaints from parents in the past and forced schools to take in students when they have been found in breach of the regulations,” the spokesman added.