DCU and Davy Hickey Properties in €460,000 Drive to increase Higher Education Numbers in Citywest and Tallaght
Wednesday 3 May

David Shubotham, Brendan Hickey, Davy Hickey Properties, Tanaiste, Mary Harney, TD, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski and Terri Scott, Chief Executive, DCU Ryan Academy

Programme could uncover Future Entrepreneurs, says MD of Davy Hickey.

The Tanaiste Mary Harney today launched the DCU Citywest Community Investment Programme supported by Davy Hickey properties which aims to increase the numbers of Dublin 24 secondary students who receive third level education.

Over the next eight years, Davy Hickey Properties in partnership with the DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship will invest €460,000 in career development workshops for transition year students from the area, and DCU Scholarships for those who pursue a third level qualification at the University.

Currently only 40 per cent of leaving certificate students in the Dublin 24 area go on to a third level education, according to the “Who went to college” survey conducted by the HEA this year.

It is a national priority to increase the numbers of students from non –traditional backgrounds attending universities and other third level institutions, and reduce the bias in the system towards students from middle class and well off families.

Major surveys of links between earnings and education over the past decade have demonstrated that individual earnings are between 8 – 10 per cent higher for each year an individual spends in third level education, so young people from disadvantaged areas are further losing out in potential earning power later in life without a degree.

The Programme aims in particular to raise third level participation from 6 Dublin 24 schools, St Aiden’s Community School, St Mark’s Community School, Jobstown Community School, Old Bawn Community School, Killinarden Community School and Tallaght Community School.

In addition Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin are providing local partnership support in delivering the programme into their local Access jurisdictions. Such cross institutional partnership forms an impressive unified platform designed to enhance effective community outreach in the Dublin 24 area.

The President of DCU Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski said: “ DCU already has 8 students from the Dublin 24 area supported by our Access Scholarship Programme, but we hope that this substantial investment from Davy Hickey Properties in this enlightened community outreach programme will increase these numbers considerably, with great educational and potential economic benefit for those involved.”

Brendan Hickey, Managing Director of Davy Hickey Properties, said: “We are delighted to take part in this exciting new programme. It is wonderful to have a university institution of the calibre of the Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship situated in the heart of the Citywest Business Campus to serve as the forum for encouraging transition year students in Dublin 24 to go on to third level.

“Ireland needs more highly educated graduates to continue the development of our economy, and it is more than likely that this programme will also assist some of our future entrepreneurs to recognise their abilities, and arm themselves with the education required to fulfil their dreams.”

The Ryan Academy workshops will include equipping transition students with the knowledge, skills and attitude to succeed at second and third level, raising aspirations, helping students to identify their goals, providing for student shadowing, life skills development, attendance at DCU’s open day.

There will also be a CAO workshop for both students and parents and career development workshops for teachers, parents and students, and promotion of the health benefits of physical activity.

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