Three Longford schools are selected for DEIS Plus but call for more schools to be added

There has been a positive reaction from a Longford TD to three schools in county Longford being given a DEIS Plus status, which will ensure they receive improved supports, however, a local senator has said he is 'disappointed' some schools have not been selected.

Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton announced last weekend there will be a new €48 million annual investment from the Government in tackling educational disadvantage.

Three of county Longford's most disadvantaged schools will receive a range of additional supports, including extra staff, under the new DEIS Plus scheme to be introduced this coming September.

DEIS Plus was developed in collaboration with principals, teachers, the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Scheme, the School Completion Programme (SCP) coordinators and others working with kids and young people at risk of educational disadvantage.

READ NEXT: Twenty-five adults in Longford accessed emergency accommodation during a week last month

Senator Joe Flaherty said he welcomes the DEIS plus concept, which 'was pioneered' during Minister Norma Foley's term as Minister for Education, but he is 'perplexed' why some schools were selected and others were not chosen.

"A lot of schools and schools throughout county Longford face socio-economic challenges, specifically in the delivery of education and we would have looked at this as a major step forward.

"Obviously I welcome the fact that Templemichael (College) has been included in the programme as has St Joseph's National School in Longford and also St Michaels Boys National School in Longford.

"However, I'm somewhat perplexed that Granard (Sacred Heart) National School, Ballymahon National School and Edgeworthstown National School, none of these were afforded the DEIS Plus status and I think principals share my disappointment in this case."

READ NEXT: RIP: Longford mourns death of loyal GAA supporter who also loved attending local marts

Local Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy said it is great to see that Longford was included in the new DEIS Plus programme to allow continued and improved support for students and teachers.

He stated the DEIS Strategy to 2035 sets out a whole-system, evidence-based approach to addressing educational disadvantage in all schools with three phased implementation plans up until 2035.

“Longford primary schools are also set to benefit from an extended Home School Liaison scheme for Rural DEIS and non-DEIS schools, this new pilot aims to support primary school children and include more students across Longford and the country.

"It will benefit students to have this support."

*See this coming edition of the Longford Leader for the full story