The government has approved a bill to end the baptism barrier in schools.
It would mean schools can't discriminate because of religion when there's a waiting list.
90 per cent of Irish primary schools have a Catholic ethos and as of now when they're oversubscribed they can give priority to some children based on religion.
Education Minister Richard Bruton wants to change that, and yesterday got cabinet approval for a number of amendments to a school admissions bill.
He's said it's unfair a child of no religion is passed over in favour of a child who's been baptised.
The amendment would end that practice in almost all schools
The exception being children of minority religions so they can still access a school of their faith.
The amendments to the bill will also allow Gaelscoileanna to give priority to Irish speaking children, and will give the Minister the power to make a school open a special class for those with special needs where the National Council for Special Education has identified the need for one in that area.
Report by Sean Defoe
