Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar gave certificates to 150 students from the Centre for Talented Youth Ireland (CTYI) at University College Dublin (UCD) who successfully completed the Centre for Academic Achievement (CAA) programme.

Matheson partner Turlough Galvin, who also chairs the Matheson Foundation, said: “The Matheson Foundation has proudly supported CTYI since 2010. It is very encouraging to have Minister Varadkar join the awards ceremony to acknowledge all of the effort undertaken by CTYI, the children and their families.

“The Matheson Foundation has two strategic aims: to help children in Ireland fulfil their potential and to encourage corporate philanthropy in Ireland. Our partnership with CTYI helps us to meet these aims through the education that they provide for children from all socio-economic backgrounds and the academic research undertaken into the effectiveness of such education.”

The CAA programme, which is supported by the Matheson Foundation, is designed to give socio-economically disadvantaged primary school students the opportunity to take after-school classes at CTYI.

The subjects on offer include experimental physics, forensic science, aeronautical engineering, architecture, sports science, computers and animation, chemistry and creative writing.

Dr. Colm O’Reilly, director at CTYI, added: “In the last five years CTYI’s partnership with the Matheson Foundation has allowed over 3,000 students to attend CTYI courses that they otherwise would not have been able to attend. DCU is committed to being involved in community initiatives that promote the age friendly university agenda.”