Fund higher education

1. A commitment to properly fund higher education

In austerity Ireland, with incremental increases in student fees in every budget, the decision has been taken that we could not afford to adequately fund higher education. In a post-bailout environment we must see that we cannot afford not to.

Money allocated to higher education should not be seen as merely public spending, but public investment with a guaranteed return. The long-term benefits to our society and our economy of continuing to prioritise higher education are unquestionable.

If our economy is to truly recover, we must sideline short-termism and see that Ireland’s real competitive advantage lies in producing the highly skilled, highly qualified graduates which must form the foundation of our future workforce. Student loans are not the answer.

* 2. Action to address the youth unemployment crisis

The levels of youth unemployment are unacceptably high, currently at almost 30%. This is made worse by mass emigration. The decision to commit €14m of funding to the youth guarantee scheme in the recent budget, while welcome, is at best inadequate and at worst measly and derogatory.

It is time for decisive action to address this, through firm investment and policy across all relevant departments. We must see this not just as a single element of our wider economic woes, but the single biggest threat to our future prosperity. The brain drain of our best and brightest cannot be allowed to continue.

* 3. Real, meaningful political reform

The recent rejection of the proposal to abolish the Seanad, which USI actively campaigned on, was a clear message and mandate for reform of both of our houses of parliament. The establishment of the Economic Management Council (EMC) has seen a further centralisation of decision-making and dilution of democracy.

This has often been described in government circles as a “war cabinet”, and if Ireland’s bailout was the war being referred to, it is now time to move towards a more open, consultative, and participative parliamentary system.

Stringent enforcement of the whip system, executive control over the membership of Dáil committees, and the disbanding of the EMC should all be considered as part of this process. Only then can we start to move past the overwhelming political apathy which has swept this country, as a result of the economic crash, failed election promises, and ongoing parochialism.