[…]Services that there should be one counsellor for every 1,000 to 1,500 students. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has increased student mental health funding from €3 million to €5 million, but that figure has only been allocated on an annual basis, leaving these services unable to plan for the future. Ahead of Budget 2024, USI is calling for Government to immediately commit to multi-annual funding of €6 million a year to maintain core counselling services and to implement the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework. However, USI says Government needs a plan to increase this funding by €11.5 million in order to reach […]
[…]USI’s member organisations and considered an independent report carried out in the UK on COVID-19 outbreaks among students there, USI says a decision needs to be made to keep college learning online – except for courses that necessitate in person delivery – while ensuring students are properly supported. USI President, Lorna Fitzpatrick explained that students and the rest of the third-level sector cannot continue to get information on such a short-term basis. Lorna said: “We were extremely concerned when the announcement to have teaching and learning take place online at the start of the term was made late on Friday […]
[…]there are over 100 factories in the African continent that would be able to produce COVID-19 and other life-saving vaccines and ensure students in those countries could access vaccines. Congress Therefore Mandates The VP for Equality & Citizenship to lobby the government to call for a TRIPS waiver on COVID-19 vaccines and funding of the ACT-A accelerator, The VP should also lobby the minister to ensure Ireland meets its target of 0.7% of Gross National Income is spent on Official Development Aid to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Congress also mandates The VP for Equality & Citizenship to work with […]
[…]We are concerned that the mental health of students will likely worsen with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is appreciation for the third level mental health funding that was recently secured but there also needs to be recognition of the need for sustainable annual core funding to ensure support services are accessible and available at the highest standard when a person reaches out. “USI strongly believes there is a need for a sustainable whole system approach to students’ mental health in higher education. USI and our members believe that more support and investment is needed in peer support […]
[…]the lives of students, not just on campus but in wider society. Despite all the challenges COVID-19 posed for them, students have demonstrated incredible leadership in running campaigns, advocating for their peers and raising money for charity. “Those nominated this year are fantastic ambassadors, not only for their colleges and the student body, but for Irish society.” Some 870 third-level teaching staff were also recognised at the event through the Teaching Hero Awards, ran in partnership by USI and the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. The full list of SAAI winners is: Academic Representative of the […]
