J.P. McManus Supports All Ireland Scholarships

1,300 Students To Benefit From New Financial Assistance Scheme

A new third level scholarships scheme is being introduced to assist 120 Leaving Cert students each year who are progressing to higher education. The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin T.D. announced the new scholarships scheme on Thursday revealing that it will provide financial assistance to the top-performing Leaving Certificate students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In a unique development, J.P. McManus is supporting the scheme which is set to run for at least 11 years and will benefit students from all 32 counties.

McManus has contributed €24million to fund the provision of 100 of these Scholarships each year with the government funding the balance. 

The new co-funded scholarship scheme is the first initiative of its kind and will be administered by the Department of Education and Science. The first scholarships will be awarded to students starting their studies this coming September.

J.P. McManus is well known for his generous support for good causes, particularly in the field of education. He is also making €6 million available to support the provision of similar scholarships for students in the North. 

Announcing the new scheme, Minister Hanafin said "each year more and more Leaving Cert students are progressing onto higher education.

"The Government is supporting them through the free fees initiative and with maintenance grants for those on lower incomes. This new scholarship scheme will provide a financial boost to those who are planning their studies and careers.

"The vision and practical support of people like J.P. McManus from the world of business shows that philanthropy can make a real difference to the lives of over a thousand students looking to gain all the benefits from our higher education system."

The scholarships will complement the Government's scheme of Donogh O'Malley Scholarships for disadvantaged students launched in 2007. These were named in honour of the late Donogh O'Malley, who was responsible for revolutionising educational participation in Ireland through the introduction of free post-primary education.  

The new scholarship will be worth €6,750 per year for each recipient to support them for studies at undergraduate level.

It will be awarded to the top performing students in each county who attend any recognised non fee-paying post-primary school and are exempted from paying the

Leaving Certificate Examination fee. It can be held in addition to the student maintenance grant - with qualification for the scholarship only open to those who qualify and are in receipt of the grant.

A minimum of two scholarships will be offered in each county, with additional awards to be provided in the areas with greater numbers of eligible students.  

Referring to the potential impact of the scheme, Minister Hanafin said "in recent years we have made very considerable progress in advancing the representation of students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. A clear majority of school leavers now go on to third-level education as compared with an academically and financially elite minority just a generation ago. This scheme can make a real difference in further advancing the access agenda over the coming years."