The Corrib Gas Partners are committed to increasing the benefits of the project to the local community. In May 2007 a scholarship programme for secondary school students from four schools in Erris was set up. This programme offers ten scholarships worth €4,000 per annum to students in each year of their study. The first Corrib Scholarships have now been awarded for the academic year 2007/2008. The winners were chosen by an Independent Selection Board. The programme will award further scholarships in 2008 and 2009 with a review thereafter.
The Corrib Gas Partners also operate a local grants programme that funds projects and voluntary organisations up to €10,000. This programme is now in its third year and in 2007 alone there were over 40 applications, more than in any previous year, from local sports groups and voluntary organisations.
The Corrib Gas Partners will ensure that benefits to the local community are delivered as quickly as possible in line with the recommendations of the Peter Cassells report. The Corrib Gas Partners are pleased to confirm today that they are contributing to the development of Belmullet GAA Club as a one off investment in advance of the establishment of the long-term development fund in 2008. This is in addition to the local grants programme as well as the commitment to provide Scholarships over the next seven years. (The Scholarships programme is being delivered at an estimated cost of approximately €500,000).
Commenting on the setting up of a Corrib Gas Community Development Fund, SEPIL’s Deputy Managing Director Terry Nolan said "I am looking forward to working with the Advisory panel to establish a development fund which will contribute to the long term development of Erris and the surrounding area over the next 15-20 years."
Mr Terry Nolan went on to say "We are proud to be associated with Belmullet GAA and the many other sports clubs and voluntary organisations that we support. I believe funding the developments that Belmullet GAA are undertaking will bring great benefits to many people in the community and I am delighted that the Corrib Gas Partners can be a part of this initiative.
As a company that will be operating in the area for the next 15 - 20 years we look forward to continuing to contribute to the many local initiatives that come about as a result of much hard work by voluntary organisations and individuals".
