The Union of Students in Ireland held a Lobby Day this week to discuss with Oireachtas members what students need to see in Budget 2024, ahead of the finalisation of the USI Pre-Budget submission.
All TDs and Senators were invited to the event, which took place in Buswells Hotel on Tuesday, July 11 from 11am to 4pm.
Students’ Union representatives from across Ireland joined the new USI Coiste Gno to talk to the attending politicians ahead of the Dáil summer recess.
The aim of the Lobby Day was to ensure Oireachtas members were aware of the six key issues for students before decisions on Budget 2024 start to be made.
Some 39 TDs and Senators attended the Lobby Day – a list of who attended, or sent a representative, is included at the bottom of this statement.
The six areas highlighted by student representatives on the day, were:
1. Student accommodation
2. Student finances
3. Public transport
4. Postgraduate and international student supports
5. Ring-fenced mental health support funding
6. Funding for Tréimhse Foghlama sa Ghaeltacht (Gaeltacht placement for student teachers)
USI Vice President for Campaigns, Zaid Al-Barghouthi said: “From reviewing the Summer Economic Statement released last week, we expect Budget 2024 to again contain a number of once-off measures for students and the third-level sector. While the asks we focused on for the Lobby Day and in our pre-Budget submission concentrate on getting the most for students from this once-off spending, we will also be advocating for long-term policies and core funding for long-term plans.
“Various TDs and Senators who attended on Tuesday, pledged to support our asks during the Budget 2024 debates. We agreed on certain follow-up actions with the members and will keep in contact ahead of the Budget.”
The USI pre-Budget submission – based on the current USI policy file – will be finalised in the coming weeks and will be circulated to all involved in making the budgetary decisions and to Students’ Unions and the media.
The Oireachtas members who attended or sent a staff representative on the day were:
Alice Mary Higgins, Independent
Aindrias Moynihan, Fianna Fáil
Annie Hoey, Labour
Brendan Smith, Fianna Fáil
Brid Smith, People Before Profit
Cian O’Callaghan, Social Democrats
David Stanton, Fine Gael
Denise Mitchell, Sinn Fein
Eamon O Cuiv, Fianna Fáil
Eileen Flynn, Independent
Fergus O’Dowd, Fine Gael
Fiona O’Loughlin, Fianna Fáil
Frankie Feighan, Fine Gael
Gary Gannon, Social Democrats
Ged Nash, Labour
Gerry Horkan, Fianna Fáil
Gino Kenny, People Before Profit
Holly Cairns, Social Democrats
Ivana Bacik, Labour
John Paul Phelan, Fianna Fáil
Lisa Chambers, Fianna Fáil
Lynn Ruane, Independent
Mairead Farrell, Sinn Fein
Marc O Cathasaigh, Green Party
Martin Kenny, Sinn Fein
Michael Healy-Rae, Independent
Mick Barry, People Before Profit
Ned O’ Sullivan, Fianna Fáil
Pa Daly, Sinn Fein
Pádraig O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil
Patrick Costello, Green Party
Paudie O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil
Paul Donnelly, Sinn Fein
Pauline O’Reilly, Green Party
Peadar Toibin, Aontu
Roderic O’Gorman, Green Party
Roisin Shortall, Social Democrats
Ruairi O Murchu, Sinn Fein
Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein
Violet-Anne Wynne, Independent
The flyer we gave out on the day is below – click in to read.
