Students protest over poor facilities

STUDENTS at Waterford Institute of Technology left their lecture theatres and labs and took to the streets yesterday in protest over the lack of government investment on campus.

Department of Education and Science figures show that while €490 million was spent on third-level colleges in Dublin last year, just €43m went to Waterford Institute of Technology.

Students say WIT is the “poor relation” of the third-level sector, with Cork getting €160m; Galway €117m and Limerick getting €101m last year.

Students union president Mick O’Sullivan said students have had enough.

With just weeks to go to their exams, students are fed up with facilities on campus, he said.

“Our gripe is not with the director or the college management. They are doing the best they can. Our gripe is with central Government. All we are getting for our €750 registration fee is over-crowding and a lack of proper facilities.

“Waterford as a region is being left behind and is in dire straits. There aren’t enough seats in the library and when students do get a seat, they’re crammed in together and the noise is phenomenal,” he added.

A spokesman for the Department of Education said the budget for WIT has just been released and is on a par with last year.