Significant new supports announced for Louth under DEIS Strategy to 2035
New Home School Community Liaison posts for 12 schools in Louth
12 schools across Louth are set to gain access to new Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) posts, announced today as part of the DEIS Strategy to 2035, with seven Louth schools also selected for the new DEIS Plus scheme.
It was announced today by Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton, in a new €48 million annual investment from the Government in tackling educational disadvantage.
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.
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 the new DEIS plus scheme to be introduced this coming September.
Louth will directly benefit from these measures, with the addition of seven schools to the new DEIS Plus scheme ensuring they receives the most intensive and targeted supports available under the new model. This will provide additional teaching capacity, tailored interventions, and focused resources to support students experiencing the highest levels of disadvantage.
Ó Fiaich College in Dundalk is to be included in the new DEIS plus scheme, along with the following six primary schools:
- St Joseph's National School, Dundalk
- Castletown Road Convent, Dundalk
- Redeemer Boys National School, Dundalk
- Redeemer Girls National School, Dundalk
- Scoil Náisiúnta Eoin Baiste, Dundalk
- St Nicholas Monastery National School, Dundalk
The 12 schools now gaining access to new Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) posts are:
- De La Salle College Dundalk
- St. Malachy’s Boys National School Dundalk
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St. Malachy’s Girls National School Dundalk
- Colaiste Rís Dún Dealgan
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Realt Na Mara National School Dundalk
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Dun Dealgan National School Dundalk
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St. Malachy’s Mixed National School Dundalk
- Scoil Bhride Ardee Road
- Scoil Mhuire Na Trocaire Ardee
- Ballymakenny College Drogheda
- St. Joseph's C.B.S. Drogheda
- St Joseph’s National School Drogheda
The news was welcomed by Louth TDs, Fianna Fáil' Erin McGreehan, and Fine Gael's Paula Butterly. Welcoming the announcement, Deputy McGreehan 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.
“I am particularly pleased to see that Ó Fiaich College has been included in this new scheme. This will bring real and important benefits to the students, staff and school communities.”
Deputy Butterly said that the news represented "a major and very welcome investment for County Louth". Deputy Butterly continued: "The inclusion of a local school in the DEIS Plus scheme ensures that the students facing the greatest challenges will receive targeted, high‑impact support.
"The allocation of twelve new HSCL posts is equally significant, strengthening the connection between schools and families, and ensuring that vulnerable children in every part of Louth are supported.
"This package will make a real difference in classrooms, in homes and in communities across the county, and marks an important step toward greater educational equality.”