The Department of Education has reported that demand for integrated school places in Northern Ireland is uneven across council areas.

There are currently over 28,000 pupils enrolled in integrated schools, representing about 8% of all children in the region.

The department's analysis of admissions data and parent surveys found consistent oversubscription in Mid and East Antrim, Ards and North Down, Lisburn and Castlereagh, and Belfast.

In areas including Derry and Strabane, Causeway Coast and Glens, and Fermanagh and Omagh, the number of integrated school places exceeds demand.

Paul Caskey of the Integrated Education Fund said there is unmet demand in some communities where parents do not have access to a local integrated option.

Education Minister Paul Givan stated that demand is present but concentrated in a small number of schools and that planning should be based on reliable evidence.

Alliance MLA Nick Mathison said the gap between the 55% of parents who prefer integrated education and the 8% of places available shows clear unmet need.

DUP MLA David Brooks said quality of education remains the main factor for parents when choosing schools.