Young people march to demand Government action over ‘crisis’ facing students
Students take part in a march and rally to highlight the accommodation crisis, at Merrion Square, Dublin on Wednesday (Picture: Brian Lawless/PA)
Young people from across Ireland have marched across Dublin to demand Government action to tackle the “crisis” facing students.
Teaching representatives also joined in the protest event, which concluded with a loud rally within earshot of the Dáil and Government Buildings.
It heard stories of students struggling with high fees and being unable to find affordable accommodation.
Among the speakers was Dean Kenny, president of the University of Galway’s Students’ Union.
“We’re here to show representatives in this building behind us and the wider public that has seen us marching through the streets that students are fed up of being constantly strung along and not having their concerns taken seriously,” he said.
“There’s high fees, there’s a serious lack of accommodation, spiralling rents, cost of living and inflation is all impacting on ordinary everyday students. And that’s what we are – this is everyone this affects, every one of us here today, whether it’s Dublin or Cork or Galway, any part of the country, it’s not limited to one place.”
Mr Kenny said many students who have found accommodation readily admit they were “lucky” to secure it.
“What sort of a country are we with a €65 billion surplus in our budget, we’re nearing full employment, we’re financially secure, and we find ourselves saying we’re lucky to have the most basic human rights when we go to study in college,” he added.
It comes as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald clashed in the Dáíl during Leaders' Questions on Wednesday after Ms McDonald raised the USI protest.
The Sinn Féin leader said students feel that "the accommodation crisis is robbing them of a future in Ireland," as she criticised the Government's overall approach to housing policy.
She said that the upcoming budget must prioritise students as well as increasing funds towards affordable housing.
Mr Varadkar said that "students would not be forgotten" in the upcoming budget. He also acknowledged that student accommodation is diffcult to find at present, but said that the Government were investing in purpose-built student accommodation.
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