At 11:11am on the morning of Thursday, October 13th, students in universities across Ireland stood up and walked out of their classes and tutorials in a protest instigated by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).
The reported aim of the protest was to demonstrate the palpable student anger over the ongoing cost of living crisis, and to highlight the detrimental effects that this crisis is having on student welfare. The move represents the latest effort in the USI’s attempts to force greater government recognition of the perilous situation that many students find themselves in.
Amongst the demands for government intervention, a specific request to change the manner in which third-level education is funded was brought forward by USI representatives.
Third-level student contribution charges in Ireland are currently the highest in the EU. Despite the announcement in last month’s budget of a temporary €1000 reduction for the current academic year, and a widening of the brackets which are entitled to student grants, union heads are protesting for longer-term solutions to third-level costs, which they claim have not been addressed fully.
Amongst the many other concerns students are currently facing, accommodation remains a pressing issue, with record numbers of students having to defer their places in college this year, as a direct result of having nowhere to stay. Though two €500 rental credits were announced in the budget, student representatives have been quick to point out that, once adjusted for tax and calculated over a year-long basis, this amounts to little less than €2 per week.
Furthermore, the status of students who are currently in digs or licensee agreements has not been clarified. UCDSU, amongst others, have flagged concerns over this.
UCDSU did not take part in the walkout, as the union is currently not affiliated with the USI.
Speaking with Extra.ie, USI Vice President for Equality and Citizenship Maeve Richardson expressed frustration at having to resort to such measures, though gratitude for student support.
“Realistically, we shouldn’t have to come out like this to show how angry the students are, but we had no choice” she told the online magazine. She was resolved that such action must not be once-off, and restated her commitment to fighting for students on the matter. “We need to show everyone how bad things have gotten.”
The protests have attracted varied reactions online. Leftist politicians such as Richard Boyd-Barrett have expressed their support for the students, while some lecturers have also voiced their approval of student action.
At present, no further plans for strike action have been announced, though in a statement, USI president Beth O’Reilly insisted that “This is just the beginning.”