The Union of Students in Ireland has condemned the decision of off-campus student accommodation providers near DCU to drastically increase to cost of accommodation for the upcoming academic year. USI stands in solidarity with Dublin City University Students’ Union, and agrees that the proposed price rises are disproportionate and exploitative of students as a captive audience.
USI President Michael Kerrigan said;
“These providers are well aware that students can’t find alternatives to their offering, and believed they can get away with this sort of price gouging of students and their parents. DCU students are right to condemn what is an entirely unjustifiable rise of almost 27% in some cases, this decision ultimately lead to some students deciding they simply cannot afford an education.”
“At €3,000 per year, Ireland already has the 2nd highest third level fees in Europe, these extortionate accommodation prices will only add to the barriers preventing people accessing higher education.”
A petition has been launched calling on The Minister of Education, Richard Bruton TD and the Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy T.D. to work with Universities and their Unions to create more sustainable, affordable accommodation and to stop landlords from exploiting legal loopholes, allowing them to charge whatever they wish to students.
The petition currently has over 8,000 signatures and can be found here