Jim Carroll, if I understand correctly about the situation in Ireland, preference is given to baptized children in the admission process for church-operated schools in Ireland. If there's a waiting list for admission, that makes a big difference. If there's no waiting list, then it doesn't matter.

The same thing goes in Catholic schools in the U.S. - families who are active in a parish are given admission preference and often a discount. Non-Catholics are at the bottom of the list for admission. The difference is that in the US, parents pay tuition for their children to attend Catholic schools. With few exceptions, tax money doesn't pay for Catholic education.

And Jim, please note that while you are correct that favored status for the Catholic Church was written into the Irish constitution, that provision was removed by a constitutional amendment in 1972 (click). That was 44 years ago. Time to get over it, Jim.

-Joe-