Five local schools to benefit from major funding

Five disadvantaged schools in the Shannonside region have got a major funding boost today.

48 million euro has been allocated to disadvantaged schools around the country, under the Deis Plus Scheme.

They'll get extra supports to employ more teachers, support staff and other measures.

The local primary schools include St Joseph's Convent and Scoil Naomh Micheál in Longford, St Attracta's National School in Ballaghaderreen, and Scoil an Chroi Naofa in Ballinasloe - and one secondary school, Templemichael College.

Noel Loftus is the principal of St Attracta's in Ballaghaderreen:

He says Ballaghaderreen is finally get the support it needs from the state: