Church schools may be in demand by parents who yesterday waited anxiously to see if their child had landed a place in Kindergarten One, but the number of applications continued to decline slightly.

The Church said 3,205 applications were submitted this year for places in Kindergarten One and Two and Year One, compared with 3,266 last year. Applications had numbered 3,214 in 2008, 3,328 in 2007, 3,352 in 2006 and 3,436 in 2005.

The Curia will draw lots again today for places in Kindergarten Two and tomorrow for Year One.

There were 1,144 Kindergarten One applications, of which 279 were accepted. Of these, 30 special cases were taken in, along with 97 siblings, an application from a Church home, and 151 from yesterday's lot.

There were 1,182 applications submitted for Kindergarten Two, of which 337 youngsters will be allocated a place. Special cases number 45, siblings 114 and 178 will be accepted from today's lot.

Of the 979 applicants for Year One places, 440 will be accepted, including 57 special cases, 91 siblings, one from a Church home and 291 through tomorrow's lot.