[…]cash terms and against inflation. We said many times that families and students were approaching a breaking point – and it’s clear from this report that that point has long been reached. A review of the effectiveness of current grant levels needs to be quickly undertaken.” On the wider issue of student drop-out, she added: “I very much welcome the chair of the Higher Education Authority’s desire to get to the bottom of student dropout – and USI will of course support his efforts with solid evidence and representation from across the country.” Accommodation Crisis High among the reasons for […]
Urgent and transformative action must take place to show there is zero tolerance for sexual violence and harassment in third level education after another report highlighted the extent of the problem, says the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). Over a third of all referrals to the Sexual Violence Centre in Cork in 2019 were third-level students, according to the organisation’s annual report released on Thursday. This follows the concerning findings from the USI and NUI Galway Active Consent’s Sexual Experiences Survey published in June, which found that 29% of female, 10% of male, and 28% of non-binary students reported […]
[…]has the following message for students: “The processing of grant applications is once again running pretty smoothly. We are expecting to receive around 105,000 applications for the 2017/18 academic year. We have received 80,000 applications to-date and I would urge students to apply before the deadline of July 13th to ensure that their applications receive priority”. The national awarding authority has already awarded grants to more than 41,000 students for 2017/18, including 10,500 new students. Mr. Doyle added: “Leaving Certificate students should not wait until they receive their Leaving Certificate results and CAO offers late in August before applying to SUSI. […]
[…]four years living in Direct Provision in Ireland – in the midst of a global pandemic. The news of the deportation order comes in the week that residents of Caheersiveen Direct Provision centre have undertaken a hunger strike in protest at the conditions in their residence. All at USI offer our full solidarity to the 32 people taking the action due to complaints about issues, including the rationing of food and water, not being taken seriously. The USI calls on Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee to immediately halt the deportation of the two students who faced prosecution and violence before […]
[…]rents in Galway are now at 14% above their 2008 peak, which marks ‘a bigger increase than any market in Dublin’. Although USI would urge the Government to immediately introduce the so-called rent predictability measures we would like to emphasise the need of extending it to other locations, where students are at the risk of high rent increases (e.g. Galway, Limerick). Furthermore, USI acknowledges the supportive landlord accreditation scheme. Landlords can get support in complying with the existing regulations and therefore ensuring security of tenants rights. ‘This is an important step towards ensuring the adequate quality of accommodation. Unfortunately students […]
