Mayo TD, Minister Dara Calleary has welcomed this morning’s announcement that a new DEIS+ scheme will be rolled out from September, bringing additional supports to schools.

Five school in Mayo will benefit from this program.

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.

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.

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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, Minister Calleary 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”

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.

Fianna Fáil politician Calleary 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 Mayo, the following five schools will benefit from this expansion:

• Castlebar Primary School
• Kinaffen National School Swinford
• Cloonlyon National School Charlestown
• Garracloon National School Cloghans
• Scoil Naisunta Ceathru An Chlochar Ballinrobe

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