Details of the 2012/2013 Corrib Natural Gas Third-Level Scholarship scheme were announced this week in Belmullet, with Shell E&P Ireland Limited’s managing director Michael Crothers describing it as “the finest scholarship programme run by Shell anywhere”.
Under the programme, ten scholarships are offered to qualifying students completing their Leaving Cert this year at Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet; St Brendan’s College, Belmullet; Coláiste Chomáin, Ros Dumhach, and St Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross. Entrants are challenged to write an essay, in the form of a proposal to Government, entitled ‘The Irish economy – a vision for recovery’.
Application forms are now available in each of the participating schools and from the Corrib Natural Gas offices at the Údarás na Gaeltachta industrial estate in Belmullet. The closing date for receipt of completed application forms, which must be accompanied by the themed essay and a shorter personal essay, is Friday, April 27.
The scholarships are valued at €4,000 each year to recipients and cover the full term of the course undertaken up to a maximum of four years. The intention of the scheme is to encourage and assist young people from the Erris area to further their education and career opportunities and to make a long-term contribution to the region by helping people build their skills and formal qualifications.
The scholarship scheme is run by an independent board chaired by Mr Seán Staunton, Westport. The other members are Mrs Breda Holmes (Doohoma ), Mrs Bridie O’Donnell (Bangor Erris ), Mr Tony McGarry (Killala ) and Fr Kevin Hegarty (Belmullet ).
To date 51 grants have been awarded since the scheme was first introduced in 2007. A further ten scholarships will be awarded to successful candidates commencing their third level education next October/November.
