State bursaries for top students

TOP Leaving Cert performers from disadvantaged backgrounds are to be offered new Government scholarships as an incentive to continue into third-level education.

Up to 16 individual scholarships will be provided initially in 2007, Education Minister Mary Hanafin announced yesterday.

The scholarships have been named in honour of the late Donogh O’Malley who was responsible, 40 years ago, for revolutionising educational participation in Ireland through the introduction of free post-primary education.

An annual award of approximately €6,500 will be made to each successful scholarship recipient to support them through third-level education. This is in addition to the normal student grant and “top-up” grant supports that are available, subject to a means test.

The scholarships will be awarded to the top performing students who attend over 200 post-primary schools included in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity In Schools (DEIS) Action Plan.

The plan extends to four geographical regions — Dublin, city and county, rest of Leinster, Munster and Connacht/Ulster.

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