Case Study: Student Orla Onoh - Susi grant doesn't even cover housing

Orla Onoh from Cork, a second-year student at DCU: 'I know for a fact the cost or price of accommodation is hindering people doing the course they want in the university they want.' Picture: Moya Nolan

Orla Onoh's student accommodation costs €6,500 for the year. This is before her monthly electricity bill, grocery shopping, books, registration fee or transport costs come into the financial equation.

From Blackrock, Co Cork, the 18-year-old is a second-year politics, economics and law student at DCU and while she qualifies for the Susi (Student Universal Support Ireland) grant, it does not even approach covering her accommodation costs.