Meanwhile, in the neighbouring town of Naas, the newly-built primary school, Scoil Brid, is lying empty, apart from two junior infant classes. "This is a disaster for everyone involved, especially the parents, " said Kill National School principal Tom Cunnane. "They have absolutely no alternatives available to them. Every school in the locality is full, so they have to wait another year."

Twenty-three children in Kill did not receive places for the next school year, based on the criteria that they were the youngest on the waiting list. Next year, the situation will be worse, with 104 pupils already on the waiting list and only 60 places available. Parents have spoken of their frustration that Scoil Brid in Naas is not operating at full capacity, while they cannot get their children into school for at least another year.

"We have a situation in Naas where a new building for Scoil Brid has been sanctioned by the Department of Education but the board of management will only allow the enrolment of junior infants, " said independent TD Catherine Murphy. "It comes as a blow to parents to hear from the Department of Education that there is no school place for their child until that child is six years old.

Parents don't want to hear that. When a child is ready for school, they should be able to go."

In Laytown and Bettystown, Co Meath, the primary schools are in serious trouble, with 130 pupils waiting to get into the junior school, which is located in prefabs on the grounds of the senior national school. According to the senior school principal Maurice Daly, the Department of Education gave approval for the junior school without sanctioning a site. Now, on two-and-a-half acres of land, there are four buildings catering for around 550 pupils. "Like sardines in a can, " said Daly.

"We are in crisis. There is no site for the junior school, absolute uncertainty as to where the children are going to go and friction between the two schools as the junior school is literally squatting in the corner of our playground. It is absolutely unacceptable in this day and age."

Parents in Portlaoise and Mullingar are also under pressure, with waiting lists in all of the town's primary schools. "There are huge problems in the area, " said Portlaoise councillor Willie Aird.

"There is a massive shortage of school places and parents now don't have a choice as to where they send their child."

Mullingar is one of the fastest growing towns in the country, according to councillor Dan McCarthy, who also reported that many families were having trouble getting their children into schools.

After seven years and five failed attempts, Kill National School has found a suitable site for a new larger school but planning permission is required before any plans can be drawn up and the matter now lies in the hands of Kildare county council. It will be at least 2008 before the new school is ready.

Ann Marie Drury has two children in third and fifth classes at Kill National School and was dismayed to learn earlier this month that her youngest child Keely (3) has been refused a place for September 2007. Instead, she has been put on a priority list for 2008, with no guarantees.

"It's simply too late for her to start her education then, " said Drury. "Junior infants will be a repetition of what she has already done in three years of Montessori. She could lose interest and fall out of the cycle altogether. My husband and I thought we were doing the best for her by giving her a good grounding before she got to primary level. Now we feel guilty we're not doing our best for her, and it's not our fault. Parents' rights are being taken away."