[…]a requirement to have a written agreement which sets out minimum protections for both parties in order to benefit from the rent-a-room tax breaks, but Government repeatedly says that such legislation would put homeowners off renting out rooms in their homes. However, this research shows that most homeowners feel more secure having an agreement, and the lack of legislation simply allows more malign homeowners a free reign to do whatever they when renting out a room to students or others. With the ability to make €14,000 on offer, there should be some basic rules and requirements, to stop people being evicted or […]
[…]hours than ever, are commuting long distances or are sleeping in cars or on friend’s sofas in order to attend college. This is affecting their academic performance, and it’s also affecting their mental health. Students are facing two serious crises now: accommodation/housing and mental health. We are now calling on all students to join the Walkout, tell decision makers enough is enough and show the power of the student voice.” The main demands of the National Student Walkout are: Introduce protections for students living in digs Build affordable student accommodation Abolish the Student Contribution Charge Fund the full deficit in […]
[…]welcome, and the National Skills Map recently proposed by USI, ICTU and ISSU could be utilised in order to do this. But in this process it is vital that funding for Back to Education is not cut. Download the Locked Out: Investing In A Future For Youth and read the OECD Report here. For more information contact: Joe O’Connor USI President on […]
[…]are more vulnerable. Some students have underlying health conditions and have had to move home in order for them to be able to self-isolate away from their shared student accommodation. Some students had very tough decisions to make in a hurry, such as those from India who had 24 hours to decide whether to go home as the borders were closing and they didn’t have time to get reassurance on rent refunds. The USI is calling on the companies – ISA Accommodation Dublin, Uninest, Aparto and Athlone Student Rooms – to look at ways they can support students who have paid […]
[…]change in numerous areas to bring these important supports up to date and to the level required in order to open access to third-level education to as many people as possible for the benefit of society, our citizens and the economy.” The situation facing the many students who have also found themselves in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment because of income lost during the COVID-19 pandemic is also highlighted in the submission. It is USI’s understanding that this payment is currently being treated as reckonable income. USI believes that this payment should be treated like other social protection payments […]
