The southern region of the Union of Students in Ireland yesterday initiated its Peter Pan Project to try to attract more students from disadvantaged backgrounds into third-level education.
Mr Ian Lucey, USI's southern regional convenor, said the scheme would involve college students visiting their former schools "to prove to second-level students that college is attainable, that a trade can open new doors for them and that there is more to life than the dole, drugs and crime".
The project has applied to the region's five VECs for £2,500 in funding for travel expenses and publicity material. USI's western and Northern Ireland regions, as well as individual Dublin college student unions, are planning similar initiatives.