Entries from students in Colaiste Craobh Abhainn in Kilcoole, St Gerards in Bray and St Mary’s College in Arklow are among 1,300 from 213 schools nationwide that will compete for the top prize between the 6th and 8th of January.
A quarter of all qualified projects focus on topics related to health and the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Others touch on a range of issues including direct provision, race, domestic abuse, sexual assault, and socioeconomic challenges.