National Student Demonstration to take place on Wednesday, October 4 in Dublin city centre
Students from across Ireland are set to take to the streets of Dublin next week to demand Government use its €65 billion ‘rainy day’ fund to tackle the student accommodation crisis and soaring cost of going to college.
The Union of Students in Ireland has published its Pre-Budget Submission and officially announced a national student demonstration to take place this Wednesday, October 4 at 12 noon.
USI says that while Government intends to hoard €65 billion in the ‘rainy day’ fund, it is raining now for third-level students who are suffering financial hardship or dropping out of college due to the lack of affordable student accommodation and other costs.
Student representatives met with politicians at a Lobby Day in July to hammer home how bad things are for students now and what needs to be done support them.
And last week, every TD and senator was sent a copy of the USI Pre-Budget submission which includes calls for 30,000 new student beds, along with free public transport for students and a range of other costed solutions.
USI and Students’ Unions all over Ireland are now calling on students to come out on Wednesday, October 4 to march to the Dáil and send a message to politicians that they either support them now or face them at the ballot box in the next local and general elections.
USI President, Chris Clifford said: “Ireland’s budget surplus is expected to reach €65 billion in the next two years. It’s inexcusable that students couch-surf, commute long distances, and have no hope of a future in Ireland while government has the capacity to fund that future. A long-term investment in the unstable higher education sector is an option for government right now. Finance can no longer be used as the excuse, but rather it’s down to the priorities of our politicians.
“Students and other sectors of Irish society are in crisis now. Government talks about having a reserve ‘rainy day’ fund, but we are drowning. Or will it just be a ‘rainy day’ for Government when the banks need bailing out again?”
The full USI Pre-Budget Submission is available here and below.
USI Pre Budget Submission Budget 2024