[…]USI said a reduction in the student contribution charge, or registration fee, is absolutely vital to opening the opportunity of third level education to those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and to increase social mobility in Ireland, in line with the recovery. The proposal for the government to secure ring-fence funding of €37.5m annually and to put an emphasis on local 24/7 crisis intervention services is something USI said is crucial to improve the under-resourced, under-funded mental health services in Ireland, and to create real support for young people to improve their well being and strengthen their mental health. In the […]
[…]to advocate for the removal of the MSM blood ban. USI is a strong advocate for Trans* rights and for the introduction of gender recognition legislation that is respectful and inclusive. USI works closely with Transgender Equality Network Ireland http://teni.ie/ and the TEA Collective http://www.transgender.ie/. In August 2012, USI mobilised a large contingent of students at the LGBT Noisehttp://lgbtnoise.ie/ March for Marriage. In 2012, USI also launched the LGBT Ally initiative, the first of its kind in Ireland. USI has been organising Pink Training since 1992. Pink Training is the largest event of its kind for third-level students in Europe. USI is a member […]
[…]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 and […]
The Union of Students in Ireland launched their General Election manifesto today outside the Dáil, emphasising how young people will have a deciding impact on the makeup of the next government, focusing on areas like accommodation, Higher Education Funding and Repealing the 8th. “The 32nd Dáil has the opportunity to introduce real and lasting change for all our citizens.” Kevin Donoghue, Union of Students in Ireland President, said, “100 years on from 1916 we can build an Ireland our children and our parents will be proud of. An Ireland where workers are paid the living wage, there is a right […]
[…]of women anti-abortion laws negatively affect when they are forced into temporary exile from Ireland to access their human rights day after day, week after week. “USI has been pro-choice and campaigning for Irish abortion services since the early 80s. We are proud to stand alongside and fully support Amnesty International in this campaign.” Union of Students in Ireland President, Kevin Donoghue, said, “We are urging the next Government to repeal the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 as a matter of utmost urgency and replace it with laws that legalise free, safe and legal abortions in Ireland, at […]
