Roscrea and Thurles schools to benefit from new DEIS+ programme

Fianna Fáil TD for North Tipperary & Northwest Kilkenny, Ryan O’Meara, has welcomed the announcement that a new DEIS+ scheme will be rolled out from September, bringing additional supports to schools.

Today’s announcement will see 121 of the country's most disadvantaged schools are to receive a range of additional supports, including more than 400 additional staff under a new DEIS plus scheme, which is to be rolled out from this coming September.

In Tipperary Scoil Eoin Naofa in Roscrea is set to be included in the New DEIS+ programme.

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 O’Meara said: “This investment is a truly important step in addressing educational inequality across Ireland, and it will have a real impact in schools.

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“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 Scoil Eoin Naofa in Roscrea 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 O’Meara also welcomed the extension of Home School Community Liaison, HSCL, services to a further 130 schools, including some outside the traditional DEIS programme, thereby broadening supports for vulnerable children and young people.

In the Thurles area, two schools will benefit from this expansion, Scoil Naisiunta Chaoimhghin, Littleton and Scoil Angela, Thurles.

“The extension of guidance and wellbeing supports into primary level is especially important, as it allows for earlier intervention and more consistent support throughout a child’s education,” concluded Deputy O’Meara.