The President of the Union of Students, Annie Hoey, has given evidence to the joint Oireachtas Education and Skills Committee, setting out the student movement’s position on higher education funding.

Read the position paper here

Hoey, who was joined by Kieran McNulty, President of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union and Jane Hayes Nally, the president of the Irish Secondary Schools Union, gave a detailed position statement and comprehensive evidence when questioned by members of the committee.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Hoey said:

“Members of the Oireachtas will tomorrow hear from second and third level students concerned that the government might be tempted to saddle students with loans and debt – which will put the poorest students off and squander the promise of future generations.  Our members have told us to do our best to protect the poorest students, students with disabilities, mature students and other minority groups – and that’s what we’ll tell the committee on Thursday.”