Trinity College Dublin has notified its students that they can exit their classes and seminars for several hours to take part in a countrywide demonstration driven by issues of higher education funding, with no detrimental repercussions. The national protest is organised by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and local student bodies, set for Thursday morning from 11.30am to 3pm, and is expected to draw thousands of tertiary students from across the country.
The demonstration aims to make a bold statement of their “ire and disappointment” over issues such as soaring living expenses, tuition costs and inadequate mental health resources within the academic system. In a correspondence to the college’s faculty and students, Trinity’s deputy provost – Professor Orla Sheils – expressed that the planned protest aligns with their firm belief in the “significance of civic participation”.
In a demonstration of unity, and to show that they appreciate the voices of their students, the provost and Professor Sheils agreed that a request will be made to all staff to excuse the absentees for the protest. The Vice-Provost assures students wishing to be a part of the protest that their absence from lectures, seminars and laboratory sessions won’t bear them any negative repercussions.
The USI on their part said that the countrywide demonstration aims to shed light on the “utter absence of initiatives” in the 2025 Budget to aid students and to serve as a reminder to political figures and candidates about the potential influence of the student voice in the imminent general election.
USI President, Chris Clifford, remarked, “We understand that students are putting in an increased number of work hours, making elongated commutes or even resorting to sleeping in cars or friends’ couches to attend college. This has adverse effects on their academic output and their mental health condition. As it stands, students are in the midst of two poignant crises: housing and mental health. Hence, we call upon all students to participate in the walkout, urge decision makers to act and to symbolise the strength of the student voice.”
The student body will convene at key locations on campus for rallies, conducted by their local student organisations. The prime demands are affordable housing solutions, discontinuation of the student participation charge, an increase in student-counsellor ratios and termination of uncertain contracts for researchers and PhD students.
The Government unveiled what they termed an unprecedented funding package for higher education in the Budget 2025. This included a singular €1,000 slash in student contribution fees, predicted to aid roughly 103,000 students in higher education and a surge in student allowances. Furthermore, a fund of €9 million was assigned to raise the yearly stipend for PHD students from €22,000 to€25,000, and a surge in the postgraduate fee grant from €4,000 to €5,000. Also, the Student Assistance Fund received an additional €10 million. The Rent Tax Credit for students in planned student accommodation, private lettings, digs, or room rentals was raised from €750 to €1,000.
In addition to this, Mr Clifford stated USI’s efforts to register students to vote on campuses over the previous 14 months. He expressed the prevalent anger and frustration among many students. His proclamation was clear: insufficient backing for students and their manifesto by TDs and electoral candidates would lead to a lack of student support at the polls.