[…]Students in Ireland (USI) today stated concern with the failure of a Labour private members motion in the Seanad on Wednesday 12th July, to reject any move to implement an income-contingent loan scheme but instead to publicly invest in third level education. The amendment from Government instead called that no decision be made until the Joint Committee on Education and Skills had published their recommendations. Speaking after the vote, USI President Michael Kerrigan commented, “Not all of our Senators were brave enough to make the ambitious decision and reject an income contingent loan scheme, despite the obvious and unfair […]
[…]USI are launching the Homes For Study campaign with a free website, homes.usi.ie, as new findings from the Union show 1 in 10 students are living in digs style accommodation. Speaking at the launch, USI President Michael Kerrigan said, “According to our study, 66% of students living in digs are satisfied with their arrangements. Digs are becoming a real affordable and viable alternative accommodation because of the rising cost of living in the private rental sector, and on campuses. We want to match students with a home to study in, and house as many students as possible as a quick […]
[…]students across the island of Ireland, both North and South, alongside our friends in NUS-USI in the North. As an all-island student movement with strong links to our colleagues in NUS UK, Brexit completely disrupts the delicate context of post-secondary education that we work within. For our students and the staff in our institutions Brexit is an impending nightmare, and with no deal on the substantive points of the border or the Customs Union any discussion on the impact Brexit will have on education seems far off. Decision makers must begin to consider education in more detail, and importantly, publicly […]
[…]through its owner, Aramark. The Union are calling for Avoca management to cut ties with Aramark in the New Year as part of Avoca’s New Years Resolution. Speaking ahead of the action, USI President Michael Kerrigan, said: “The situation in direct provision is cruel, and people are stuck there for up to 7 years. People can’t work, people get just over €20 a week, and people have little to no access to fresh fruit, no access to self-catering or ethnic foods. People trapped in direct provision just have access to meals with chips almost every second day with a menu […]
[…]being launched as part of Healthy Living Week, a USI initiative to promote health & wellbeing in their 37 campuses across the island of Ireland. Speaking at the launch Michael Kerrigan, USI President said, “We are delighted to partner with VideoDoc to provide free doctor healthcare to our members. With the high cost of living and accommodation being the main factor in student poverty, our students can now rest assured that if they get sick they can save money on a doctor’s visit with VideoDoc.” Mr Kerrigan went on to say, “USI Healthy Living Week is part of our month […]
