Students protest over accommodation crisis and 'soaring' costs 

Students gather at Printing House Square in Trinity College ahead of a protest during the summer. Picture: Norma Burke

Students are set to take to the streets on Wednesday to demand the Government use its rainy day fund to tackle the accommodation crisis and the "soaring" cost of college.

The Union of Students Ireland (USI) and student unions have called on students to march to the Dáil in a bid to highlight what they describe as “unprecedented costs” associated with their education.

“Ireland’s budget surplus is expected to reach €65bn in the next two years,” said USI president Chris Clifford. “It’s inexcusable that students couch-surf, commute long distances, and have no hope of a future in Ireland while the Government has the capacity to fund that future.

“A long-term investment in the unstable higher education sector is an option for the Government right now. Finance can no longer be used as the excuse, but rather it’s down to the priorities of our politicians.”

In its pre-budget submission, the USI has called for a further €1,000 reduction in college fees. This would bring the total fees for all students to €1,000 for 2023/24.

The group has also called for the introduction of a national rent freeze, as well as for an expansion of the youth travel card to 24 years old.

The USI wants the rent freeze until “such a point as the effects of the cost-of-living crisis are naturalised and the rate of inflation stabilises at pre-crisis levels".

Meanwhile, the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) has called for targeted investment to maintain quality of education. 

As part of Budget 2024, the union has sought an enhanced teaching allocation to second-level schools to allow it to offer full jobs upon initial appointments. 

It is also calling for investment to tackle the funding crisis at third level. It is "unacceptable" that student-to-staff ratios at third level have been allowed to worsen to 23:1, according to TUI president David Waters. 

"This ratio results in larger class sizes and less access to laboratories, equipment, materials, libraries, and tutorials," he said. 

"As a result of this chronic underinvestment, it is hardly a surprise that in recent years, the time and support that staff can provide to students has come under huge pressure, with significantly less opportunity available to interact with students individually or in smaller groups."