Bank of Ireland supports The Society of St Vincent de Paul with €500,000 donation to the charity’s Higher Education and Training Bursary

Pictured at the announcement that Bank of Ireland is supporting The Society of St Vincent de Paul with a €500,000 donation to the charity’s Higher Education and Training Bursary are Geoff Meagher, National President, St Vincent de Paul, Denise McCann, from Kilmore, Coolock who studied Computer Science and IT at Coláiste Dhulaigh and DIT, and was a recipient of education support from SVP, along with Richie Boucher, CEO, Bank of Ireland.

For more information on the bursary please visit http://www.svp.ie/what-we-do/education-grants.aspx

Bank of Ireland supports The Society of St Vincent de Paul with €500,000 donation to the charity’s Higher Education and Training Bursary

Bank of Ireland has today announced it will support the Society of St Vincent de Paul’s (SVP) Higher Education and Training Bursary with a €500,000 donation*. SVP have long held the view that education is the ultimate enabler out of poverty and Bank of Ireland is delighted to be supporting this worthy initiative.

The bursary will be distributed to those who need it through the various SVP conferences in communities nationwide and will help individuals who, without assistance from the bursary, would not otherwise be able to access or continue in higher education.

In 2015 SVP spent €4.6 million on education, supporting students of all ages from primary to third level. A significant proportion of this amount went directly to supporting a wide cross section of school leavers gain entry to education and training programmes in order to achieve a higher level qualification.

Speaking at today’s announcement, Richie Boucher, CEO, Bank of Ireland said, “On behalf of my colleagues in Bank of Ireland, I am pleased to announce that we are supporting St Vincent de Paul’s Higher Education and Training Bursary. Undertaking training courses at higher level can present financial challenges and this important initiative provides students with financial support to enable them to achieve their educational potential and ambition. Bank of Ireland has a strong relationship with the SVP dating back to 1945 with many of our staff regularly volunteering and raising funds to support the great work done in communities around the country.”

SVP National President Geoff Meagher said, “Helping people who otherwise may not have the opportunity to pursue a third level education is a crucial element of one of SVP’s goals, to promote self-sufficiency. Through the Higher Education and Training Bursary and individual supports from local SVP Conferences we are able to help people who, because of family or particular circumstances, cannot afford to access third level education or training programmes. We are extremely grateful to the Bank of Ireland board, management and staff for their contribution to this work.”

The Higher Education and Training Bursary will be distributed from September 2016. Students in receipt of the bursary will be supported for the duration of their time in higher education or training.

For more information on the SVP Higher Education and Training Bursary please go to: http://www.svp.ie/what-we-do/education-grants.aspx

ENDS

Notes to editor:

*This substantial donation is made possible due to remaining funds from Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust which was wound up in June 2016 and a long-established staff payroll giving scheme operated by the Bank, called the “Florin Fund” which has benefited St. Vincent de Paul since 1945.

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