Good news for 13 Mayo schools

UP to 13 additional schools in Mayo are to be be included in the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) programme - the Department of Education's policy instrument to address educational inequality.

A new plan has been drafted by Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, to ensure that every child regardless of their circumstances is given the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny welcomed the news that 13 new Mayo primary and post-primary schools will be included on the DEIS Programme.

The new plan will give even more students in Mayo the tools to excel regardless of their geographic location or socio-economic background.

Altogether, 11 new Mayo primary schools will be included in the DEIS Scheme. They are Killocrann NS, Castlehill; Cloonlyon NS, Charlestown; SN Inbhear, Ballina; Killaser NS, Swinford; Cloonfad NS; SN Cill Mhuire, Crossmolina; Killeenduff NS, Easkey; St. Treasa's NS, Kilkelly; Scoil Néifinn, Keenagh; Clogher NS, Claremorris and Lisaniska NS, Foxford.

Two post primary schools - Coláiste Pobail Acla, Polranny, Achill and Our Lady's Secondary School in Belmullet - have also been named as New DEIS schools.

The plan sets out more than 100 actions aimed at delivering on its objectives, including making book rental schemes mandatory in all Deis schools next September, greater prioritisation of access to school psychologist services, pilot projects aimed at introducing measures shown to work well in improving results for disadvantaged students and priority access to leadership training for principals.