The next Government of Ireland must publish a new strategic plan for student accommodation and commit to taking urgent action to address the current crisis, according to the Union of Students in Ireland’s general election manifesto, which launches today. In the Student Manifesto, USI also calls for the next government to introduce free public transport for all students, abolish all third-level fees and decriminalise recreational drugs for...

Third level students across Ireland will Shine A Light on homelessness on October 9 as the Union of Students in Ireland partners with Focus Ireland to host a number of sleep outs on college and university campuses. Focus Ireland, which provides services for people who are experiencing homelessness and people at risk of homelessness in Ireland, is encouraging businesses, schools, and communities to host a sleep out, as part of its fundraising...

No measures to ease the financial pressure on third level students were announced today, despite Budget 2025 being described as the ‘biggest giveaway Budget since the Celtic Tiger,’ says the Union of Students in Ireland. Students will be no better off in 2025 as a result of this Budget, with no further reductions to the Student Contribution Charge and no real announcement on student accommodation. The repeat of the €1,000 reduction in the...

There is a significant opportunity in Budget 2025 for the Government to finally address the serious challenges facing third-level students, according to the Union of Students in Ireland. USI’s costed pre-budget submission, which sets out the significant and increasing costs incurred by students across Ireland, has been sent to every TD ahead of Budget 2025 and is published today on usi.ie. In the submission, USI says the Government has the...

The Union of Students in Ireland sends its deepest condolences and love to the family and friends of Stephen Grogan, former President of USI (1989-1990) whose funeral takes place today, Thursday. Stephen from county Mayo, also a former President of GMIT Students’ Union, played an important role in not only the student movement, but also in the battle to legalise abortion in Ireland, and a range of other social issues. Stephen bravely stood...

The Union of Students in Ireland was disgusted by the events carried out in Coolock yesterday, by a group of individuals intent on inciting violence, fear and hatred. USI stands in solidarity with all those affected by the violence, particularly the worker who was injured at the site and the communities these protests are attacking. This is a welcoming island and USI, Students’ Unions, and the students we represent, support all refugees and...

New legislation to stop student accommodation providers from only offering 51-week leases passed through the Oireachtas yesterday (July 11), is welcomed by the Union of Students in Ireland. USI had brought the issue to the attention of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in January when a number of students came to the union saying they were only being offered 51-week leases instead of the usual...

Clarity must be provided by Government or by Trinity College on what needs to happen to ensure that a project for 358 student beds can be delivered as soon as possible, says Trinity College Students Union and the Union of Students in Ireland. In response to a Parliamentary Question asked by Cian O’Callaghan TD on behalf of TCDSU and USI, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Patrick O'Donovan confirmed that planned student accommodation...