It has emerged that the five primary schools in Tipperary town who applied to be given Deis or disadvantaged status have not been successful in their plea.

Last year the schools came together and sought the support of local political representatives and education agencies in their bid to secure the status which would have given them additional supports and resources.

However, in publishing the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools plan for 2017, the Education Minister failed to include the Tipperary town schools.

Speaking in the wake of the announcement, local TD Jackie Cahill expressed his disappointment at the decision and said that it is a matter that will continue to be raised.

The last time additional schools were given DEIS status was in 2009, so there are concerns that by leaving the Tipperary town schools out of the programme this time round they may have to wait for years before they can reapply.

As many as 30 people may be without their current job this summer as the Excel plans to close for five to six months to allow the building of a library take place.

The news was broken to staff this morning.  The centre is due to close on April 1^st and it will not reopen until October 1^st.

Around 20 full- and part-time Excel staff will lose their jobs, while around 10 people at the French Quarter Cafe could be made jobless.

The decision was made after the council told the board of management that due to the extent of the planned works and the consequent health, safety and insurance risks, a lengthy closure was warranted.

It understood that the Excel’s board of management were made aware of this eventuality as far back as late last year.

There are also concerns about what the consequences of the closure will be for the centre once it reopens its doors.