Two Athlone schools added to DEIS programme
Two schools in Athlone have been added to the DEIS programme as part of a major expansion of the scheme.
Schools in the DEIS programme avail of a range of targeted supports aimed at tackling educational disadvantage, including additional classroom teaching posts, home school community liaison coordinator posts, DEIS grant funding and access to the School Completion Programme.
Education Minister Norma Foley last week confirmed the incorporation of an additional 310 schools nationwide. This signals the first expansion of the programme since 2017 and sees the number of eligible schools rise from 884 to 1,194 from September 2022.
In Athlone, Cornmaddy NS and Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maistri have been added to the Urban Band 2 DEIS programme.
They are part of nine schools in Westmeath to be added.
Fianna Fáil Minister of State Robert Troy has welcomed confirmation from the Department of Educatoin of the addition of the schools in Westmeath.
“The inclusion of an additional nine Westmeath schools in the DEIS programme is another strong example of the Government’s commitment to enhanced educational opportunities within the County and follows on from the Ministers announcement last week of a huge investment in facilities at Mullingar Community College,” he said.
“Each of the schools listed can expect to see the benefits of a range of targeted supports from next September aimed at tackling educational disadvantage, including additional teaching posts, home school/community liaison coordinator posts, DEIS grant funding and access to the School Completion Programme. The inclusion of a number of urban based schools ensures that DEIS assistance is serving schools with the highest number of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage”.
Meanwhile 17 schools in the Roscommon/Galway Dail constituency were also added. None are in South Roscommon, while one in in Ballinasloe, SN Ui Cheithearnaigh the Gaelscoil in Ballinasloe, which has been added to the Urban Band 2 schools.
Urban Band 1 schools receive the highest level of support under the DEIS programme.
“From September 2022, these schools will have access to additional supports which will help to support all pupils in the school,” said Deputy Denis Naughten.
Senator Aisling Dolan said: “For families around the country this means more supports put in place for children especially as we face increased costs. Children in DEIS schools will have access to breakfast clubs, school lunches, homework clubs, Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) and School Completion Programme (SCP) support, affordable book rental schemes, parenting courses, one to one pupil/parent support by SCP project worker, targeted work on attendance including regular home visits with HSCL.”
The national announcement sees an additional investment of €32million per annum being allocated to the 310 schools being added to the programme nationally.