A pilot programme which is offering free maths grinds to school students within their own community is being hailed as a success.
More than a hundred young people turned up for the second Project SUMS (Standing Up for Universal Math Support) drop-in at the County Library in Tallaght earlier this week.
The programme provides free maths support to students who are priced out of private grind schools, which can cost €30- €50 per hour.
"This is happening right in the heart of Tallaght. For the students, it feels like it's on their turf. We're bringing education right to the heart of communities that need it most," said Independent Senator Lynn Ruane, who is part of the team behind the SUMS programme.
One of the students attending on Tuesday was 18-year-old Natasha Wall from Clondalkin.
"With grinds, it's about money," she said. "If I don't have it, I won't do it. So I won't improve. But if it's free, there's no excuse. I love it!"
With the Tallaght drop-in already at capacity, an appeal is being made for more volunteer tutors to come on board.
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"The feel-good factor around this project is through the roof. The kids are lapping it up," said volunteer Kevin Brennan.
An Economic and Social Research Institute study in 2016 revealed nearly half (49%) of 17/18-year-olds in their Leaving Certificate year were taking grinds.
Taking grinds was more common among young people from higher income families (63% among 17/18-year-olds in the highest income group, compared with 33% of young people in the lowest income group).
Project SUMS is also operating out of a venue in Trinity College Dublin, where around 40 students have been taking free maths grinds.
Maths tutors or lecturers who are interested in volunteering in either venue are asked to register their interest by emailing project.sums.ireland@gmail.com.
