20,000 places unfilled in state-run schools

Increasing demand for places in fee-paying schools has led to a shortage of students in free secondary schools in Dublin, according to figures released by the Department of Education.

The figures showed that state-run secondary schools in Dublin have 20,000 unfilled places, while almost all private schools and grinds schools in the city enjoy full enrolment.

The Department of Education figures showed that even some of the best-known schools in the Dublin area have hundreds of vacant places, including Sion Hill in Blackrock and Colaiste Eanna in Rathfarnam.