Howlin to present Richard O’Carroll bursary award to Cork woman, Chrisdina O’Neill

Speaking in advance of presenting the Richard O’Carroll Empowerment Bursary in Cork this evening, leader of the Labour Party spoke about Labour’s enduring commitment to education for all as the route to personal and community empowerment.

Deputy Howlin said:

“Labour has long been committed to the principle of making education, at all levels, accessible to everyone. Labour has spearheaded policies to make education free-of-charge and to promote access for people from disadvantaged backgrounds. In this context, I am delighted to be awarding Labour’s third Richard O’Carroll Empowerment Bursary to two exceptional women who have overcome many barriers in order to pursue higher education.

“Tonight in Cork, I will be presenting an award to Chrisdina O’Neill, to celebrate her achievement of overcoming adversity and the prejudice shown to people in the Travelling community. I know that her success will demonstrate to many others that third level education is truly open to all.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Labour Party’s Richard O’Carroll Empowerment Bursary is named in memory of the leader of the Labour Group on Dublin Corporation who was killed in the 1916 Easter Rising, Councillor Richard O’Carroll. This is the 3rd year of the Bursary which has now been made an award, having originally been set up for 3 years to commemorate 1916. Throughout his activist years, O’Carroll believed passionately in empowering young people through education and we hope that the Richard O’Carroll Empowerment Bursary will assist young people in further or higher education. The Bursary is open to any student in further or higher education who attended a Deis school and who has completed the Leaving Cert within the past three years.

While the overall winner is from Westmeath, this year it was decided that an additional award should be presented to Chrisdina O’Neill, Charleville, Co Cork. This presentation will take place on Monday 10th December from 7.30pm in The Clayton Silver Springs Hotel. Members of Chrisdina’s family and Richard O’Carroll’s family will be present.

Here’s an extract from Chrisdina’s application which is an inspiring insight into her commitment to social inclusion: “I have overcome every boundary put in my path and I have graduated from UCC with a degree and I am now in a position that can change lives and make for a better future, especially for those in the Travelling community who can see someone in a professional position and inspire them to continue their education. Empowerment is what I feel I do everyday!”

The overall winner, Emmanuella Jagha, will receive €2,000 at a presentation in Columba College, Killucan, Co Westmeath on Wednesday.