Change in criteria sees 19 Clare schools added to DEIS scheme 

19 Clare schools have been added to the DEIS scheme, following a major expansion of the programme that delivers targeted supports to address educational disadvantage.

Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey said that the Clare schools benefitted from a reassessment of the criteria that will allow them avail of additional teaching posts, home school community liaison coordinator posts and DEIS grant funding.

“From next September, these schools will access all supports under the programme to match their respective band, which is based on their location and level of educational disadvantage,” he explained.

“884 schools and over 180,000 students currently benefit from the DEIS programme. As a result of the latest expansion, this will increase to 1,194 schools and over 240,000 students from September.

“Schools were identified for inclusion based on information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools,” Deputy Carey added.

One Clare secondary school, St Joseph’s Community College in Kilkee, has been added to the DEIS scheme, along with 18 primary schools from all over the county. 

These are: Rockmount NS (Miltown Malbay), Moveen NS (Kilkee),  Killaloe Boys NS, SN Mhuire (Meelick), SN Cuan (Kilbaha), Mercy Convent (Killaloe), Carrigaholt NS, Forgleann NS (Lahinch), Labasheeda NS, Lisdoonvarna NS, Gaelscoil Ui Choimin (Kilrush), Clarecastle NS, Shannon NS, Gaelscoil Donncha Rua (Shannon), Holy Family Senior (Ennis), Holy Family Junior (Ennis), Convent of Mercy (Kilrush) and Ennis Educate Together NS.

The Department of Education will work with the schools that will benefit from the programme to support them to make the transition. Information sessions will be held over the coming weeks on the DEIS programme, what supports will be available to schools and to support them in planning for improvement.

Photo: St Joseph’s Community College Kilkee which is included in the latest list of DEIS schools