[…]students had to leave the accommodation due to the unprecedented actions taken to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Aparto has also stated it will charge students a €50 cleaning fee. On this, Lorna said: “It’s extremely disappointing to see such a fee imposed on students, given the circumstances that led to them having to leave.” Students had to leave accommodation for many difficult reasons, such as to self-isolate, care for vulnerable family members or to return home to countries that closed their borders. Lorna said: “This offer shows that Aparto recognises that giving a refund is the right thing to do, but […]
[…]Institutions urging them to convene discussions with a view to mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on social care students. Social Care students across the country are facing difficulties in securing and completing placement due to the current COVID-19 restrictions. This is likely to result in many students failing to meet the 800 practical placement hours required by the relevant professional body, CORU meaning that many students may be forced to complete placement over summer, repeat an academic year or delay graduation. Many social care students work part-time in the health and social care sector, providing valuable support to the service […]
[…]hit by a repeat of what happened in March when colleges and universities closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when deposits and prepaid rent were not returned. Many students were also left owing money for accommodation they could not use, and others were evicted from digs and rooms without notice. USI President, Lorna Fitzpatrick said: “When campuses were closed in March, students were left in very difficult circumstances and a lot were left out of pocket by hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of euro. We have been calling for clarity on what the new academic year will look like […]
[…]with a serious focus on ending HIV-related stigma in Ireland. As Ireland comes out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we look to the Government’s robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic and urge the Government to commit the same robust response to ending HIV and HIV-related stigma. USI support calls from HIV Ireland for the Irish Government to re-evaluate the current approach to ending HIV transmission in Ireland considering record high rates of newly notified cases of HIV. Today, we raise awareness of HIV testing services and call for an end of HIV-related stigma. We also remember those who we lost and […]
[…]to be removed. Whilst she welcomed the enhanced supports available to students in light of COVID-19, on mental health and a renewed focus on preventing sexual assault on campus, she concluded that more needed to be done to address the central issue of access for all students who would benefit from Higher Education – and that this would be best addressed in a publicly funded higher education system. ENDS Notes: The Education Futures Coalition, formerly known as the Coalition for Publicly Funded Higher Education, is a collaboration between IFUT, SIPTU, FORSA, USI, ISSU and the […]
