For the first time multi-denominational schools will be placed on the same footing as Catholic schools when it comes to allocating sites for new primary schools in the Dublin area.
Traditionally, the Department of Education and local authority officials invited only representatives of the Dublin Archdiocese to planning liaison meetings about school sites.
At those meetings the Catholic authorities were allowed to reserve sites for future schools based on parish registers. They were invited as the main providers of education in the primary sector. But due to the growth of multi-denominational education the officials have changed the arrangements.
The group Educate Together, which represents the multi-denominational sector, has been invited to a meeting today and will be allowed to pinpoint sites it wants to reserve.
Mr Paul Rowe, chairman of Educate Together, said the change in policy was "momentous" for his sector. "We felt the traditional arrangement gave preferential treatment to Catholic schools and we are glad it has been changed." He said under the new arrangements it would have direct access to officials and the same rights to reserve a site as the Catholic authorities.