TD for Louth Erin McGreehan has welcomed this morning’s announcement that a new DEIS+ scheme will be rolled out from September, bringing additional supports to schools.
Today’s announcement will ensure that 121 of the country’s most disadvantaged schools will receive a range of additional supports, including more than 400 extra staff, under a new DEIS plus scheme to be introduced this coming September.
In Louth Ó Fiaich College in Dundalk is to be included in the new scheme.
The plan targets schools with the deepest and most persistent levels of disadvantage and places a central focus on addressing mental health and wellbeing among children attending.
The 400 additional staff will include an additional teaching post in each of the 121 schools directly aimed at coordinating the promotion of mental health and well-being within the school.
Welcoming the announcement, Deputy McGreehan said:
“This investment is a truly important step in addressing educational inequality across Ireland, and it will have a real impact in schools.
“Additional teachers, along with improved wellbeing and guidance supports, will help schools to better support their students and respond to their needs.
“I am particularly pleased to see that Ó Fiaich College has been included in this new scheme. This will bring real and important benefits to the students, staff and school communities.”
The supports to be rolled out from September include additional teaching posts, new leadership positions, expanded guidance supports at primary level, more Home School Community Liaison Coordinators, wellbeing practitioners, funding for breakfast clubs, a €400,000 Innovation Fund and stronger links with colleges and industry.
The scheme is backed by a €48 million investment in the DEIS+ programme and the wider DEIS strategy.
In total, the measures announced under DEIS Plus and the DEIS Strategy will deliver over 400 additional roles, including approximately 350 teacher posts, benefiting some 700 schools nationwide.
Deputy McGreehan also welcomed that Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) services will be extended to 130 additional schools, including those outside the traditional DEIS programme, widening the safety net for vulnerable children and young people.
In the Louth area, the following 12 schools will benefit from this expansion:
- Ballymakenny College Drogheda
- De La Salle College Dundalk
- St. Joseph’s C.B.S. Drogheda
- St. Malachy’s Boys National School Dundalk
- St. Malachy’s Girls National School Dundalk
- Scoil Bhride Ardee Road
- St Joseph’s National School Drogheda
- Colaiste Rís Dún Dealgan
- Realt Na Mara National School Dundalk
- Dun Dealgan National School Dundalk
- St. Malachy’s Mixed National School Dundalk
- Scoil Mhuire Na Trocaire Ardee
For further information, reach out to Erin McGreehan.
ENDS
