[…]the USI is also calling on businesses to introduce a Living Wage for its employees in order to ensure their workers and their families are not living below the poverty line while working. The USI has made several submissions to the Low Pay Commission – the latest in March 2020 – outlining its argument that the Living Wage is the gross pay necessary to provide a minimum adequate income. The calculation of the Living Wage is evidence based, built on budget standards research and grounded in social consensus. The USI believes that the Living Wage would prevent exploitation, ensure minimum […]
[…]in Ireland. With college terms finished, most students would now be working full-time hours in order to save as much money as possible for the next academic year as well as survive on a day-to-day basis over the summer. However, due to the on-going public health restrictions large numbers of students have been temporarily or permanently laid-off from jobs and have little possibility of finding other work. The USI is making urgent calls for Government to take into account the hours students will miss out on this summer when making any reforms of the criteria for receiving the COVID-19 Pandemic […]
[…]that the number of applications to SUSI for the upcoming academic year will surpass 100,000. In order to meet the challenges posed by such numbers and in building on the improvements made for the previous academic year, SUSI has introduced a number of further key improvements for 2014/2015: Earlier application opening date (8 May); Revised and more user-friendly website information at www.susi.ie; More automated validation of the online application form; Extended range of online services to applicants; More streamlined internal processing of applications; Extended data sharing with Government Departments and agencies; Increased stakeholder engagement; and Online grant eligibility reckoner. The closing […]
[…]conversation on the Ireland of tomorrow. USI envisages actions that the Government should take in order for Ireland to get back on its feet post-bailout. Included in the vision statement are ten actions below: Commit to properly fund Higher Education. Take action to address the Youth Unemployment Crisis. Reform the political system. A living wage. Budgeting for Equality. Legislate for collective bargaining in all industries. Relieve mortgage debt on hard-pressed families. Scrap the waste in public spending. Tackle the cost of living by controlling rent and improving social housing. Invest in Community Mental Health services. USI President Joe O’Connor said: […]
[…]there is effective communication between local authorities and community mental health teams, in order to prevent homelessness. 4. Pass a Council resolution stating that in its work, the Council will seek to promote mental health and well-being among the whole local population. Dr Shari McDaid, Director of Mental Health Reform, commented: “One in seven adults in Ireland will have experienced a mental health difficulty in the last year. This is an issue that affects every community in Ireland. A lot can be done at local level to improve people’s mental health and well-being, and we hope that candidates from all […]
