ESB Third-Level Education Awards

There were 223 eligible entrants in the draw for this year's ESB Third-Level Education Awards, indicating a high-level of interest from staff in the scheme.

The draw took place on Monday, November 26th, and the five lucky winners are: Annah Louise Bannon, daughter of Sean Bannon, Ex-Rhode, Ann-Marie Lardner, daughter of Jimmy Lardner, Claremorris, Amanda Costello, daughter of Kevin Costello, Castlebar, Graham Higginbotham, son of Anthony Higginbotham, Finglas, Padraig Brennan, son of Peter Brennan, Wilton.

This was the 15th draw for the annual education awards for the offspring of ESB staff, whether they are serving staff members, retired, on voluntary severance or deceased.

Each year, five awards are made, with each award valued at €2,000 per year over a maximum of four years. Winners are selected following an Open Draw that is supervised by ESB Group Internal Audit.

As well as drawing the first five names, a standby list of five further names is also drawn. This is to allow for situations where one or more of the first group may not be able to take up the award.

The awards, which are subject to PAYE and PRSI deductions, are paid once recipients present evidence that they have been accepted to the specified course by the college in question. Subsequent awards to individuals over the four year maximum period are subject to satisfactory college performance and passing of the course examinations.

If a selected candidate fails to meet any of the award conditions, the award is then offered to the next person named on the stand-by list. Over the years, the range of courses taken by the successful candidates has been refreshingly broad. Along with Business, Finance, Humanities, Engineering, Law, Science and Construction, the list includes Languages, Nursing, Journalism, Pharmacy, Sociology, Public Relations, Music, Psychology, Graphic Design, Communications, Marketing, Fine Arts, Architecture and Education.

The scheme was first mooted at a Dundalk Participation Council meeting in the early 1990s, the National Participation Council took up the idea and, following considerable discussion and research, the first awards were granted in September 1993.

This year's awards process was administered by Catherine Griffith, HR Shared Services.