Ninth Level Ireland

“Many stakeholders in higher education seem to think that college-owned accommodation is synonymous with low-cost accommodation. In an interview last week, President of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) Clare Austick argued that ‘if colleges have their [own] accommodation there will be a reduced cost’ – but is this really accurate? …” (more)

[University Times, 2 August]

“The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has called on the government to include provisions for colleges to provide their own student accommodation instead of relying on private, college-affiliated accommodation. Speaking on Newstalk’s Lunchtime Live yesterday, USI President Clare Austick said: ‘We want to see a clear commitment and urgent action from the government to commit to a plan on accommodation to ensure that people all across the country have access to accommodation’ …” (more)

[Emer Moreau, University Times, 27 July]

“Many student houses are cold and half of them have a daily problem with mould, according to new research. The study, entitled Temperature profiles of private rental housing occupied by third-level students in Ireland and carried out by researchers at NUI Galway, found many occupants were living in properties where the temperature was below recommended levels …” (more)

[Noel Baker, Irish Examiner, 22 July]

“Sinn Féin spokesperson on Law Reform, Pa Daly TD, has called for strict enforcement of the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 which came into operation on 9th July 2021, following a USI bill brought forward by Sinn Féin and 56 other opposition TDs. Teachta Daly said …” (more)

[Sinn Féin, 16 July]

“Re: Urgent need to support the Health Insurance (International Students) (Amendment) Bill 2021. Dear Minister Donnelly, On behalf of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and our members this is an urgent appeal to you to support the Health Insurance (International Students) (Amendment) Bill 2021 …” (more)

[USI, 28 June]

“The Union of Students in Ireland welcomes the plan published today, which aims to re-open campuses and have most third-level activity back on site from the start of the new academic year. Along with getting students back into lectures and classrooms, that the plan also allows for the reopening of libraries, cafes, canteens and bars, as well as the restarting of club, society and sporting activity is particularly welcome …” (more)

[USI, 15 June]

“A restricted and socially distanced demonstration calling for the abolition of student fees was held by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) outside the Kildare Street gates of Leinster House today at 11am. Students were not asked to attend the demonstration in-person as a result of the current public health restrictions …” (more)

[Bella Salerno, Trinity News, 31 May]

“Union of Students in Ireland (USI) President Lorna Fitzpatrick today described comments made by government ministers in the Irish Daily Mail about students receiving the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) as ‘offensive and misinformed’ …” (more)

[Cormac Watson, University Times, 4 May]

“On Wednesday April 28th, Dail Eireann was presented with The USI’s Residential Tenancies (Student Rents and Other Protections) (Covid-19) Act 2021 by Sinn Fein and signed by 56 opposition TDS. In a statement from the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), they outlined the changes that would take place under the proposed Bill …” (more)

[Luke Murphy, College Tribune, 28 April]

“Government TDs are being urged to support the student accommodation bill which will be debated in Dáil Eireann on Wednesday (April 28), by the Union of Students in Ireland and Students’ Unions all over Ireland. The USI’s Residential Tenancies (Student Rents and Other Protections) (Covid-19) Act 2021 was tabled in late February by Sinn Fein and signed by 56 opposition TDS …” (more)

[USI, 27 April]

“Sinn Féin TD for Carlow Kilkenny Kathleen Funchion has urged cross-party support for the USI calls to provide greater protections for student renters, particularly those attending IT Carlow. The motion will be heard in the Dáil on Wednesday …” (more)

[Suzanne Pender, Carlow Nationalist, 26 April]

“The Society of St Vincent de Paul have joined calls by the Union of Students in Ireland to reform the SUSI grant scheme ahead of a full return to college. The funding model has been described as ‘not fit for purpose’ and no longer in line with the cost of living …” (more)

[Teresa Mannion, RTÉ News, 23 April]

“All staff and students in higher education are to be surveyed on their experiences of sexual violence and sexual harassment during the coming weeks as part of a ‘zero tolerance’ initiative to create safe campuses for all. In addition, all colleges are being required to record and report cases of sexual harassment and bullying of staff and students on an annual basis …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 12 April]

“Former president of the NUI Galway students’ union and chemistry graduate Clare Austick has been elected president of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) for the 2021-2022 academic year. Ms Austick, who previously held the USI position of vice-president for welfare, acknowledged that there was a lot of work to be done in the coming months to ensure students could return to campus ‘in a safe manner’ in autumn 2021 while dealing with the impact of the pandemic on students nationwide …” (more)

[Sorcha Pollak, Irish Times, 8 April]

“Tonight, the government voted against the People Before Profit (PBP) Young People and Access to Further and Higher Education motion in the Dáil. All opposition TDs bar 8 members of the Regional Group of independents voted in favour of the bill …” (more)

[Kate Henshaw, Trinity News, 25 March]

“Over two thirds of third-level students feel Irish should be a compulsory school subject according to a survey conducted by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). The USI Report on the Teaching of Irish 2021 found that 67% said the language should be fully compulsory, however only 5% of students said there was an emphasis placed on teaching Irish as a language to be spoken beyond the classroom …” (more)

[BreakingNews.ie, 15 March]

“The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has condemned the passing over of 39 Trinity medical students for the Covid-19 vaccine on the night it was given to 16 relatives of staff at Coome hospital. In a statement to Trinity News, the USI said it was ‘very disappointed and concerned to see the story break’ …” (more)

[Kate Henshaw, Trinity News, 9 March]

“The Union of Students in Ireland joins with the vast majority of students in Ireland, including most in Limerick, in expressing distress at the scenes posted on social media last night. USI has heard from many students today who are disappointed and upset by the incidents that took place in Limerick yesterday evening …” (more)

[USI, 3 March]

“The Union of Students (USI) in Ireland has called on the Oireachtas to pass a Bill being tabled on Thursday that would force landlords to return prepaid rents to students who cannot live in the accommodation due to public health restrictions. The Residential Tenancies (Student Rents and Other Protections) (Covid-19) Bill 2021 would also enable students to terminate contracts on accommodation they no longer need because of Covid-19 …” (more)

[Colin Gleeson, Irish Times, 25 February]

“Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD and spokesperson on Higher Education Rose Conway-Walsh TD have commented on the launch of the Residential Tenancies (Student Rents and Other Protections) (Covid-19) Bill 2021. The Bill has been signed by 56 opposition TDs and was launched with the USI today …” (more)

[Sinn Féin, 25 February]