Ministers congratulate recipients of higher education scholarships

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane and Employment Minister, Sir Reg Empey, have congratulated the recipients of the All Ireland scholarships.

Funded by businessman JP McManus the scholarships are used to provide financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, held in the University of Limerick, Minister Ruane said “Ba mhian liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le gach duine a fuair dámhachtain i mbliana. Leis na scoláireachtaí seo, beidh siad ábalta leanúint leis an ghairm bheatha atá roghnaithe acu dóibh féin. Is luachmhaire i bhfad na dámhachtainí seo ná an costas airgeadúil amháin; cuirtear deis an oideachais tríú leibhéal ar fáil do dhaoine óga ar dhóchúil nach mbeadh an rogha sin acu ach ab é an cúnamh sin.

I want to congratulate all the recipients of this year’s awards. These scholarships will enable them to continue on their chosen career paths. The value of these awards is worth much more than the monetary cost; they offer the opportunity of third level education to young people who may previously not have had that option.

“It has been an honour to present the certificates and meet with the students. Their hard work and dedication is an inspiration and I wish them every success in the future. I would also like to thank JP McManus and his Charitable Foundation for having the vision and foresight to invest in these young people and through them the wider community.

Although unable to attend the awards ceremony the Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, added his congratulations. He said “I would also like to echo the sentiments of Minister Ruane in offering my sincere thanks to J. P. McManus for extending the Scholarship Scheme to Northern Ireland.

These scholarships support my Department’s policy of widening access to Higher Education for those students who are underrepresented and, in particular, those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The opportunity afforded to these young people today will not only improve their career prospects, but will also enable them to make a significant contribution to the economy and civic society."

Notes to Editors

1. A total of 126 students from across Ireland will benefit from this year’s awards with 25 being from the north.

2. Also attending the event in Limerick were the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese and the Minister for Education & Science, Batt O’Keefe TD.