The Institute of Tralee will welcome Fr. Peter McVerry, Founder of the Peter McVerry Trust to deliver a guest lecture on Wednesday February 28^th.  The lecture titled ‘A Housing and Homeless Crisis – where it came from and where it’s going’ will tackle one of Ireland’s most acute issues and is open to all staff, students, social care agencies and the general public.

Commenting on the visit, Patrick McGarty, Senior Lecturer, School of Health and Social Sciences expressed his thanks to Fr. Peter for the visit and said, ‘The lecture is a great opportunity for students, staff and members of the public to hear such a prominent national figure speak on one of the most pressing issues in our society.’

Fr. Peter McVerry SJ grew up in Newry, Co. Down and was educated at the Christian Brothers in Newry and at the Jesuit school at Clongowes Wood College.  In 1962, he entered the Jesuit Order and was ordained in 1975.  He opened a hostel for homeless children in 1979 and this subsequently became his life-time work.  He founded an organisation, originally called The Arrupe Society, but more recently renamed by its Management Board, The Peter McVerry Trust. He has written on many issues relating to young homeless people, such as accommodation, drugs, juvenile justice, the gardai, the prisons and education.

The event is hosted by the Social Sciences department and will also include a special guest lecture to first year students at the IT Tralee who are currently undertaking a Bachelor of Arts in Social Care. Later that evening at a private event, Fr. Mc Verry will address the first group of graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Care degree at IT Tralee. This group, who commenced their studies in the college in the 2002, are now employed in a wide variety of health and social care roles in Ireland, the United Kingdom and as far afield as New Zealand.

The guest lecture takes place on Wednesday February 28^th from 4.00 – 5.00pm at the IT Tralee, Solas Building (Room L108), North Campus. Attendance is FREE but anyone wishing to attend should register their interest by emailing patricia.ohalloran@staff.ittralee.ie