Thousands of college students to stage walkout over lack of measures in Budget 2025
Eva Osborne
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is calling on all third-level students across the State to join a walkout next week to "highlight our anger at the complete lack of measures in Budget 2025 to support students".
The walkout on October 17th at 11:30am will follow similar action that took place in October 2022, when thousands of college students walked out of lecture halls to bring attention to both the student accommodation and the cost-of-living crisis.
Ahead of the walkout, the USI has called on the government to introduce protections for college students living in digs, build affordable student accommodation, and abolish the student contribution charge.
The union is also calling for:
- Funding for the full deficit in the higher education institution sector;
- Funding to cover hidden costs;
- Funding to increase counsellor to student ratios;
- End "precarious contracts";
- Minimum wage to match living wage (including postgraduate stipends);
- An election to be called now.
The USI will launch its general election manifesto on Monday to "make fully clear what students need to see prioritised by the next government of Ireland".
