80 ESB Employees give their ‘Time to Read’

Business in the Community Ireland is proud to partner with ESB for their fifth year in Time to Read programme. Eighty of their staff are volunteering in seven primary schools around Ireland.

ESB’s participation again this year was marked by an event St Mary’s NS, Fairview, Dublin 3. Four other Dublin schools, as well as a school from Cork and Wexford, are participating:

•St Kevin’s Boys National School, Barry Avenue, Finglas, Dublin 11.
•St Laurence O’Toole Girls National School, Seville Place, North Wall, Dublin 1.
•St Patrick’s Girls National School, Cambridge Road, Ringsend, Dublin 4.
•Queen of Angels National School, Limes Road, Wedgewood, Dublin 16.
•Glasheen Girls National School, School Avenue, Glasheen, Co. Cork.
•Glenbrien National School, Glenbrien, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

Pat O’Doherty, ESB Chief Executive says: “Literacy is a key building block of life-long learning. The Time to Read initiative exemplifies ESB’s commitment to improving educational outcomes as part of our overall corporate responsibility programme. As a leading Irish employer, we want to see children have the best educational start so that they can reach their full potential. By participation in this programme, our staff are helping to create a society of more equal opportunity, while also laying the foundations for the skills we need in the future.”

Eibhlín McGarry, Principal at St Mary’s Girls National School adds: “We are delighted to welcome our partner volunteers from ESB to work with students from Second Class. The Time to Read initiative not only gives our children the valuable opportunity to improve their reading fluency and comprehension but the warm, caring, positive environment in which the programme is presented opens up a world of interest in and love for reading in the long term.”

Darina Eades of Business In The Community adds: “ESB has been relentless in its commitment to and support of education and learning in primary and secondary schools across Ireland. ESB staff are having a far-reaching impact on developing literacy skills through the Time to Read programme. Of course, Time to Read relies on the human connection that is so intrinsically vital to the development of young people. Business in the Community Ireland is focused on supporting companies to always consider the long term view. ESB has taken a leadership role in engaging its staff, continually supporting them to volunteer and get involved with 12 schools across Ireland to make a significant, positive impact, year after year.”