Watch: Cork students set out their key concerns ahead of Budget 2025 

Funding for public transport, student accommodation and mental health services are among the issues of highest concern for students ahead of Budget 2025.

The Echo spoke to students at University College Cork from the Bsc in Government and Political Science, the BA in Politics and the BA in Economics, ahead of next week’s budget announcement, with some awaiting the announcement “like an album drop.”

Students said they were also concerned about issues including course fees, increasing funding for higher education facilities and wider eligibility for student grants.

Touching on the issue of rising costs for people across the board, the students explained how they felt that the current eligibility requirements for SUSI were punitive for those who choose to work part-time while studying, as the current threshold has become “a burden.”

“I felt like I was being punished for working over the summer, just because I wanted to save up for my postgrad,” said Conor Taylor, a third-year BA in Politics student.

“I’ve had my maintenance grant cut in half because of it.”

Eleanor McCahill, a third-year BSc in Government and Political Science student said: “It’s almost like a double-edged sword.

“It’s punishing people for taking the initiative to go out and work, and make their own money, [and] I think that’s wrong because we’re trying our best.”

The students also raised concern about the accessibility of the language used as part of the budget.

“The language isn’t accessible to everyone, I think it can be quite daunting for people to actually understand,” said Ms McCahill.

“If it was maybe easier for people to understand or put in the media in different ways, it might encourage more people to actually show an interest.”

Mr Taylor added: “I personally find that when you’re reading it, it’s full of technical jargon.

“In the past I’ve tried to read as much as possible, [but] I’m dyslexic, and I struggle eventually. I understand what’s being said, but it’s not going in.”

€250 for students ‘isn’t a lot’

While university students have received increased support to alleviate cost-of-living pressures since last year’s budget, some say that these measures have done little to tackle the crisis faced by those in full-time education.

Among the measures was a €300 increase in the SUSI grant since January, and an additional €250 rental tax credit.

Speaking to The Echo, Eleanor McCahill, a third-year Bsc-in-government-and-political-science student, said that she was unaware of the additional supports, due to a lack of advertising.

“I definitely think it would have helped if I was aware of it before,” said Ms McCahill. “But it doesn’t fix the over arching and much bigger problem: When you’re paying thousands, €250 isn’t a lot, in the grand scheme of things.”

Second-year BA-in-economics student Dylan McEvoy said: “It’s a bit of support, so it’s welcomed, but it is a bit of a token song.

“Rent is increasing by about €300 each year, and the stipend is €250, so people are still worse off than last year.”

In reference to the additional supports provided to SUSI grant holders, Shauna Friedel, a first-year BA-in-politics student, said: “I think the increase definitely did help, but it still isn’t enough to cover everything what a student needs.”

To combat the rising pressures faced by students who work part-time while in education, the three students interviewed all agreed that an increase to the minimum wage, which stands at €12.70 per hour for those aged above 20, and an increase to the SUSI grant threshold, would enable students to live more comfortably.

“I definitely think an increase in the [minimum] wage would help,” said Ms McCahill.

“It should be closer to €14.”

Mr McEvoy added: “People are getting paid under the minimum wage because they’re not old enough, and that just seems ridiculous to me.

“€12.70 was good for this year, but I think it should be keeping pace with inflation.”

Ms Friedel added: “I think there needs to be a base point number for everyone.”

Here is what each student had to say about Budget 2025, and what they are looking forward to seeing next week.

What students told us

Dylan McEvoy – Second year BA Economics: I think public transport is definitely the most important thing that needs reform, like the bus services in Cork are abysmal.

Students above all are completely reliant on public transport, and I know how difficult it is to get a license, it takes a great deal of time.

It wouldn’t be all that bad to have one late-night bus going through the city, because they all shut off at 11pm.

Shauna Friedel – First year BA Politics: I’d like to see more money allocated to different child and adolescent health services.

I feel that mental health affects a lot of people [and] with the waiting lists being as long as they are for assessment, it impacts you.

It will impact you for the rest of your life, so that early diagnosis, it’s essential for moving forward with your studies. I think there needs to be special attention paid to those.

Eleanor McCahill —– Third year Bsc Government and Political Science: I think accommodation and mental health services would come to the forefront of my mind because they affect everyone at some stage.

It’s well known that we’ve got students who are going to class hungry, they’re picking paying their rent over paying for food, so I think supports for students are going to be vitally important to me, and to a lot of people.

Conor Taylor – Third year BA Politics: If I’m dreaming big here, I’d personally like to see later trains running from Cork to Mallow, but on a more general note, I would like more help for students who are renting [and] working, [and] maybe more grants available for postgrad students — so there’s less strain on people and less worry that you’re going to have to take out a loan from the credit union or bank.

Emily Guinane – Third year BA Politics: I’d love to see more funding in higher education, and I think that’s something that all of us, not just government and politics students, but every student in the university would love, and to see some changes in regards to SUSI. On a more personal level, more funding for public transport is something I’d like to see as well, there’s a shortage of [bus] drivers, and that’s why there’s hardly any routes.