EDUCATION MINISTERS CALL ON PUPILS TO ENTER VOLUNTEER AWARDS- Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards to honour young volunteers from across the island of Ireland

Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, TD and Education Minister in the north, John O’Dowd MLA  met for the first time today following the Irish government’s reshuffle to discuss the importance of volunteering amongst Ireland’s youth and to encourage young people North and South to apply for the 2015 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards.

The call was supported by The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) and The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI), the main partners of the awards which reward post-primary students for volunteer work carried out in their local communities and recognise outstanding acts of volunteerism by Ireland's youth.

At the reception which took place in The College of Anaesthetists in Merrion Square North, both Ministers encouraged schools across the island to nominate those unsung heroes whose motivation is simply to give their time, energy and spirit to make a positive impact on their community and ask for nothing in return.

Speaking today Minister O’Dowd said: “Volunteering is an excellent way to develop students’ personal skills which are vital to future learning and employment.  Volunteering provides  an invaluable service within local communities and I believe every young person has a role to play in helping to improve those communities.  I am always amazed at the range and variety of volunteering that young people become involved in.  These awards acknowledge the commitment and passion that young people have in giving up their time to help others and I welcome the opportunity that the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards provides in recognising the excellent young role models who inspire and motivate others.”

Since 2006, The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards has honoured more than 150 youth volunteers from across Ireland for their volunteer work and the 2015 awards programme provides an opportunity to salute deserving students who are involved in community service activities.

Caroline Faulkner, Senior Managing Director and Chief Information Officer, Pramerica Systems Ireland further added to the Ministers sentiment by encouraging students throughout Ireland to apply for the awards, “Many young people take part in volunteering activities that have a real impact both at a local and national level and we continue to be inspired by the selfless acts of our young people who are repeatedly giving back to their communities. The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards provides a great opportunity for youth volunteers to shine a spotlight on their inspirational stories and we’d like to see more post primary students entering so that we can share their wonderful work and celebrate the strength of volunteerism in Ireland.”

The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards is open to all post primary students who volunteer in their community, at school or abroad.  To apply for a 2015 award, students must download the application at www.pramerica.ie/spirit, and then submit the completed form to their school principal by the 24th October, 2014. Principals have until 7th November to nominate students for national-level recognition. Every school can submit a maximum of two applications to go forward for national judging.

Twenty finalists will earn prizes including €500, an invitation to the Gala Awards dinner, and recognition for their school. Two All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year will also be selected from the finalists, each of whom will receive €1,000 for their chosen charity and a trip to the United States.

ENDsFor further information contact Shane Finnegan or Caroline Murphy at Aiken PR on 02890663000 or caroline@aikenpr.com

Notes to editorsAbout the AwardsThe Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards programme is modelled on The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, which was created in 1995 in the United States by Pramerica's parent, Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI)*. Since then, nearly 375,000 young Americans have participated in the programme and more than 100,000 have won awards. The programme has been widely praised by educators, government officials, parents and community leaders. Many notable Americans, including former President Jimmy Carter, former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell (ret.), former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former First Lady Laura Bush, former U.S. Senator and astronaut John Glenn, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, sports superstar Magic Johnson, actor Richard Dreyfuss and actress/comedian Whoopi Goldberg have participated in the programme. PFI has introduced the programme in other countries where it has a significant business presence, including Japan in 1997, South Korea in 1999, Taiwan in 2000, Ireland in 2006, India in 2010 and China in 2013.In Ireland a number of leading public figures have supported and participated in the programme including Bertie Ahern, John Hume, Caitriona Ruane, Mickey Harte, Declan Kidney, John Lonergan, David Coleman and Martin O’Neill.

About PramericaPramerica Systems Ireland Limited, located in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, began operations in 2000 and has more than 1,100 employees. It provides essential computer-technology and client-contact services to PFI businesses around the world. Its Information Technology group develops software and other systems solutions for PFI business groups and its Operations group functions as a back-office contact centre and delivers a suite of professional service for PFI business groups.

PartnersThe National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) represent principals and deputy principals in the Republic of Ireland at post-primary level. The association aims to provide a united voice for principals and deputy principals.

The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) is an independent, self-regulatory body established to represent the professional interests of teachers in Northern Ireland.

Prudential Financial is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.