Ninth Level Ireland

“A number of third-level stakeholders have expressed disappointment over Budget 2021, which was announced earlier today. Some €3.3 billion was allocated to the Department of Further and Higher Education under Budget 2021 – up from €2.8 billion last year – which includes a €50 million fund to assist third-level students experiencing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic …” (more)

[Molly Furey, University Times, 13 October]

“As many third level students start their new academic year today they are being asked to consider whether they need to travel to rented accommodation in light of new restrictions which will limit on-campus activity. In addition, several colleges have warned students that any breaches of Covid-19 regulations – including guidelines on the numbers who can attend house parties and other social gatherings – could result in expulsion …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 28 September]

“Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris will meet university leaders early this week to discuss how best to bring some level of certainty to students about the academic year and the move to digital learning amid the Covid-19 crisis …” (more)

[RTÉ News, 28 September]

“Students across the island of Ireland have today kicked-off a series of actions aimed at urging their TDs to sign a pledge committing to six actions as part of the Union of Students in Ireland’s new Education for All campaign. The USI, which represents 374,000 students in Ireland, has written to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris calling on him to take action on the key issues that prevent many from accessing third level education …” (more)

[USI, 21 September]

“The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has released a statement urging immediate action to protect student renters ahead of anticipated restrictions in Dublin. The statement arrives as the likelihood of Dublin entering Level 3 of the Government’s Covid-19 roadmap increases, as well as the predicted National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) recommendation for Dublin colleges to move to almost entirely online teaching …” (more)

[Madalyn Williams, Trinity News, 18 September]

“Following guidance yesterday from government that higher and third level institutions should ‘consider enhanced protective measures’, the union has expressed concern by the ambiguity of the statement …” (more)

[Shannon Connolly, Trinity News, 16 September]

“Dublin-based third-level institutions told to consider ‘enhanced protective measures’ as part of a five-level strategy to deal with Covid-19 over the coming months which was released by the government this afternoon …” (more)

[Rosie Roberts-Kuntz, College Tribune, 15 September]

“Third-level students should consider not returning home at the weekends during the academic term, in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19, the chairman of the CAO board has said. The suggestion has been challenged by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), which said visiting family is important for the mental health of young people …” (more)

[Shauna Bowers and Vivienne Clarke, Irish Times, 11 September]

“Half of students did not get their rental deposits back after they were forced to vacate their accommodation at the beginning of lockdown. A new survey highlights how students were negatively impacted when universities had to close, forcing many to return home to live with their parents …” (more)

[Amy Molloy, Independent, 10 September]

“USI President sets out student choices for the future of higher education in Ireland. Ireland’s education system could be a world leader, where students ought never be constrained by their ability to afford courses, USI President Lorna Fitzpatrick has told an education sector seminar today …” (more)

[USI, 3 September]

“The president of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has criticised the government for giving colleges the freedom to charge students with registration fees of up to €3,000. Minister for Education Norma Foley came under fire yesterday for saying that colleges would be allowed to charge full fees for this year if they wished to, regardless of how much time students spend on campus …” (more)

[Cormac Watson, University Times, 31 August]

“The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has called for an immediate €500 reduction of student college fees with many classes set to take place remotely. It comes as yesterday Education Minister Norma Foley said third-level colleges will be able to charge their students the full €3,000 in contribution fees, even if they severely restrict access to campus and force them to stay at home …” (more)

[BreakingNews.ie, 31 August]

“New planned accommodation at Dublin City University has been postponed indefinitely due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the university. A spokesperson for DCU said, ‘We are working towards delivering new on-campus accommodation but there is no specific date for the construction to begin’ …” (more)

[Tadgh McNally, TheJournal.ie, 27 July]

“A €500 reduction must be made to the Student Contribution Charge immediately to ease some of the financial pressure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Union of Students in Ireland. Government must also support students who will be expected to work remotely for much of the new academic year by creating and investing in a new scheme that provides access to devices and better WiFi …” (more)

[USI, 21 July]

“Union of Students in Ireland (USI) President Lorna Fitzpatrick and Trinity College Dublin’s Students’ Union (TCDSU) President Eoin Hand have condemned Dublin City Council plans to operate student accommodation as co-living following the Covid-19 pandemic …” (more)

[Shannon Connolly, Trinity News, 17 July]

“Leaving Certificate students have been ‘pushed from pillar to post’, the Union of the Students of Ireland (USI) has said. Lorna Fitzpatrick, president of the USI, said the decision to delay the release of results until September, is ‘disappointing’ …” (more)

[Sarah Burns, Irish Times, 17 July]

“There are fears of a knock-on effect for student grants as the Leaving Cert results and CAO offers have been delayed until September. The Department of Education last night confirmed calculated grades for 60,000 students will not now be issued until September 7, three weeks later than usual …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly and Aoife Walsh, Independent, 17 July]

“The Union of Students in Ireland has today published two documents outlining the union’s priorities for the new Government and what students need for the new academic year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic …” (more)

[USI, 8 July]

“This afternoon, Union of Students’ in Ireland (USI) President Lorna Fitzpatrick and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kevin McStravock had a ‘constructive’ meeting with the new Minister for Higher Education, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris …” (more)

[Shannon Connolly, Trinity News, 2 July]

“This evening, both the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and the Union of Students’ in Ireland (USI) have welcomed the appointment of Simon Harris to the new position of Minister for Higher Education, Research and Innovation. In a statement, IUA expressed their ‘warm welcome’ to Simon Harris as Minister for Higher Education, Innovation and Research …” (more)

[Shannon Connolly, Trinity News, 27 June]