[…]Strategy, which will be published later this year,” and the Government statement said that the new policy was that “Government will fund the delivery of purpose built student accommodation.” (statement here) But this policy was already announced in November 2022, when Minister Harris said: “This landmark policy response will, for the first time, see the state providing financial support in the construction of on-site student accommodation, and underpins the policy commitments set out in Housing for All. I am pleased today to confirm Government has approved my proposal to directly intervene in the delivery of student accommodation.” (statement here) USI President, Chris Clifford […]
[…]recommended ratios, they are the internationally accepted figures. And I think if anyone considers the struggles young people currently face and how many people they know that suffer from mental health issues, they would not think that one counsellor for every 2,240 students is enough. Also, it is not fair for Government to expect these services to operate from year to year, only finding out in mid-December what funding they are getting for the following year. It is practically impossible for them to plan or to hire counsellors that will sign up to that uncertainty. It’s past time that student […]
[…]and Citizenship, James Curry said: “The TENI survey, and numerous other research projects around the world, have shown us that transgender people who are not receiving healthcare or are left on long waiting lists, are very much at risk of self-harm and suicide. On Transgender Day of Remembrance, we remember trans people who have lost their lives to this risk or to the violence that many face for being trans. “We also need to continue to fight for better healthcare, so that our trans community can access the care they need. In the TENI research, 75 per cent of respondents […]
[…]which has continued to escalate in recent times. As stated time and time again by USI and many others, the international community has stood by and allowed the persecution of the Palestinian people and the upholding of an apartheid system by the occupying state of Israel for decades, to a point that is unbearable. USI stands with the people of Palestine and reaffirms its position in favour of a peaceful resistance against that apartheid and occupation, and will continue to mobilise against Israel’s international war crimes and acts of genocide against the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza. We call on […]
[…]for Welfare, Colette Murphy said: “On this World Suicide Prevention Day, and as we get ready for the new academic year, we encourage every student to look into their on-campus student counselling services to make sure they are aware of this support if they need it during the year. There are counselling services in every college and university, and they are free and available to every student. “However, we cannot talk about student counselling services on a day like today, without highlighting how under-resourced these services are. The counsellor to student ratio is Ireland in nowhere near the levels that […]
