Welcome to USI
The student movement on the island of Ireland promotes the interests of students studying in third level colleges and universities.
News
On World Suicide Prevention Day, USI calls for necessary investment to bring the number of student counsellors up to recommended ‘safe and ethical’ levels
On World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), the Union of Students in Ireland is calling on government to make the necessary investment needed to bring the number of student counsellors up to the internationally recommended ‘safe and ethical’ levels. Colleges and universities in Ireland currently have only one counsellor for
Increasing number of third-level places without extra accommodation and support services is populist and futile move by Government
Increasing the number of third-level places without the infrastructure and support services to match, is a populist move that will result in students suffering, according to the Union of Students in Ireland. Yesterday, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, celebrated the increase in
Key student accommodation problems set out in USI submission to review of private residential sector
Ensuring that only landlords who meet standards legislation can claim rent-a-room tax relief and setting a definition for ‘affordable student accommodation’ are just two of the recommendations made in the Union of Students in Ireland’s submission to the Review of the Private Residential Sector. In its submission, USI says
Students disappointed by move away from student cards as valid ID for reduced train fares
Students are calling on Irish Rail and Transport for Ireland to reconsider the introduction of a new policy that would see Student ID not being accepted for reduced fares on train services, according to the Union of Students in Ireland. While USI and students across Ireland welcome the continuation
Story about student renter being told not to use kitchen is digs proves we need legislation not guidelines – USI
Emails between a Fianna Fáil councillor and her student lodger revealed in the media this weekend show that urgent legislation is needed to cover digs accommodation and not just the ‘guidelines’ that Minister Simon Harris is currently championing, says the Union of Students in Ireland. The emails from Cllr
USI hosts Oireachtas lobby day to outline student priorities for Budget 2024
The Union of Students in Ireland held a Lobby Day this week to discuss with Oireachtas members what students need to see in Budget 2024, ahead of the finalisation of the USI Pre-Budget submission. All TDs and Senators were invited to the event, which took place in Buswells Hotel on Tuesday,
USI calls for urgent action as review of state supports for PhD researchers falls short of addressing key issues
The first report of the Independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers has disappointed PhD researchers by falling short of addressing the crucial issues they are facing, says the Union of Students in Ireland. USI Vice President for Postgraduate Affairs, Waqar Ahmed said: “The review’s recommendation of
“We need to get back to pre-pandemic Leaving Cert. results timeline”
The announcement by Minister for Education, Norma Foley that the Leaving Cert. results will be released on August 25 is a step in the right direction, but still not early enough, says the Union of Students in Ireland. USI, along with higher education institutions, and the Irish Second-Level
Urgent action needed to address abortion access inequality
Five years after the Irish people chose to repeal the eighth amendment and legalise abortion in Ireland, the Union of Students in Ireland is joining calls for urgent action to remove the barriers that many people seeking access to abortion still face. Students played a key role in the
USI supports Seanad Éireann motion to provide employment rights and protections to PhD researchers
The Union of Students in Ireland urges all Senators to support a motion aimed at securing the rights of PhD researchers, including addressing precarious contracts and proving a living wage for all involved in teaching and research in higher education institutions. USI welcomes and supports the motion tabled by Senators Alice-Mary
Every day we strive to meet students' needs.
We proudly run events to empower and liberate students: our Pink Training event is the biggest LGBTQ+ student training event in Europe, our EMPOWER event innovates to support students from minority ethnic groups and our Women Lead events have boosted women in student leadership roles. There are dozens of events every year for thousands of students.
We train to win for our members
Each summer during SUT we provide the skills and knowledge base to make sure every student representative officer is ready to give high quality service to the students they were elected to represent. We aim to instil the courage and self-esteem to allow student officers to thrive and win for members. This exclusive member benefit is only available to member students’ unions.