Cost-of-living Crisis Sparks Protests in Ireland

Amidst the current cost-of-living crisis students at Trinity College Dublin participated in a nationwide protest, by walking out of lectures yesterday morning.

According to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), the protest was to act as a reminder to the Government and college authorities that students are not an "endless money pit".

The protest was staged at 11:11 am, with thousands of students gathering on campuses around the country.

President of the USI, Beth O'Reilly commented: "The support for today's student walkout is indicative of the number of students that are experiencing accommodation and financial problems across Ireland.

"It used to be a case that every student knew someone that was struggling, but now nearly every student is struggling themselves.

"Students needed to take this action today."

Gabi Fullam, the Students Union president at Trinity College Dublin spoke to the gathered crowd outside Trinity College's front square: "You know it, you live it. We are couch surfing. We have friends who are couch surfing."

She continued: "Education is a human right, and we deserve to be able to avail of it."

As it currently stands, a 500 EUR rent tax credit has been made available to students who pay income tax. This does however not extend to students who earn below the threshold to pay income tax.

It was also announced in Budget 2023 that there would be a one-off reduction in student contribution of 1,000 EUR. The USI president argued that this was just taking less money from students rather than putting more money back in students' pockets.

The union also pointed to an expected shortage of 20,000 student beds by 2024, criticising the Government for not capping student rents and claiming Budget 2023 showed no commitment to solving the shortage.

A statement from the union said: "While the 'once-off' 1,000 EUR reduction is of course welcome, students are left not knowing where they stand for the future."

"And the reduction comes too late for students who have already deferred their places in college this year because they could not afford the costs."

The Minister for Further and Higher Education. Simon Harris has expressed sympathy towards students commenting they are going through a "really difficult time" due to cost-of-living pressures.

He said Budget 2023 will provide "unprecedented" financial assistance for students and stated there needs to be a "fundamental shift" in the provision of student accommodation.

Mr Harris went on to say the issue of affordability and supply of housing needs to be addressed and that he will be bringing proposals to Government in the coming weeks with the aim to "unlock" planning permission for student accommodation.

"We have many colleges that have public land banks, land they own, with planning permission, we need to make an intervention so that they can get building," he said.