On Thursday, Irish students abandoned classes to publically demonstrate against rising educational expenses, emphasising the urgent need for all students to register their votes. The student unions are advocating for the elimination of the student contribution fee, which has been recently reduced in the budget from €3,000 to €2,000. In addition, they are pushing that the postgraduate allowances be elevated to align with the living wage. Nonetheless, their primary grievance pertains to their living arrangements.
As Ireland grapples with a housing crisis, students nationwide are being affected, either forced to travel long distances as they are unable to find affordable accommodation or unable to arrange accommodation altogether. Protests occurred on campuses throughout Ireland as students voiced their discontent.
Students from Trinity College Dublin, who assembled outside the Dáil on Thursday afternoon, expressed their dissatisfaction with the government, particularly regarding the housing predicament. Jenny Maguire, the president of the Trinity College Dublin Student Union (TCDSU), stated the average student at the college commutes for two hours daily due to the inability to afford independent living.
Sophie Moore, a 20-year-old physics student, who has a four-hour daily commute from Edenderry, Co Offaly, commented, “I pay the bills by working on Saturdays, but I can’t cover Dublin’s rent, and neither can my parents. A plethora of students outside Dublin are being overlooked and missing out on numerous student experiences.”
Moore’s friend, also 20, Dylan Wenger mentioned that student rents start from €1,200 per month. “I’m fortunate as my parents meet the cost, but most folks have a long daily commute. Too many individuals profiting from housing shouldn’t govern the nation,” he stated. However, he did not place trust in the leading opposition party, Sinn Féin. He expressed, “To be frank, I don’t trust their promises. I assume they’re merely populists; telling people what they wish to hear”.
Sean Potts, aged 27 and the spokesperson for Master’s in Education students, has reported that due to financial restraints, he stays with his grandparent in Walkinstown. Despite the recent challenges faced by Sinn Féin, he intends to cast his vote for them. Potts believes that every political party has its ups and downs and past scandals. However, he thinks Sinn Féin is the need of the hour.
At the same time, Jeffrey Sethrún-Sardina (27 years old), a computer science PhD researcher, reports uncertainty about who will receive his vote. He has, however, ruled out Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, stating he would never want to see them in power again. Though he considers Sinn Féin to be a better choice than the existing government, he acknowledges that he needs to evaluate his options further.
Concurrently, Emily Keane, a 20-year-old linguistics and French student, resides with her family in Knocklyon, Co Dublin. She does not foresee a future where she can afford to live independently unless she leaves Ireland. She is adamant that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will not receive her vote. She hopes for the unity of smaller left-wing sectors to cater to the needs of students.
Lastly, Charlie Crowe, a 22-year-old Physics student from Dungarvan, Co Waterford, is in a similar situation. He dwellings with his grandmother in Rathfarnham due to the high cost of living elsewhere. Although he is unsure about voting for the ruling parties, he admits that he needs to better understand his voting options.