MORE THAN 200 students gathered at the ‘The Big Yellow Thing’ on the University of Galway campus last week to protest the overwhelming cost of living crisis currently pulsing through the country.
The ‘walk out’, which was organised by University of Galway’s Students’ Union, was an attempt by students to draw attention to their plight in relation to the cost of living crisis and how it is affecting their entire experience.
Nationally there have been stories of students commuting over three hours to get to lectures. There was also the recent announcement of an expected shortage of 20,000 student beds by 2024.
“Unfortunately, a situation has risen in which we students are no longer asking whether we should emigrate – the question is when,” says Student Union President, Sai Gujulla.
Another issue the students wish to highlight is low PHD stipends. “Just a €500 increase was given to PHD students which is not sufficient enough to cover their living costs,” says Sai.
In the latest round of the Times Higher Education (THE ) World rankings released last Wednesday October 12, Trinity College fell 15 places, which TCD dean of research Professor Wolfgang Schmitt thinks is somewhat down to the issues students are protesting. “High living costs and low PhD stipends have become factors in our ability to attract talent,” he said.
The University of Galway saw their ranking improve from 351-440th to 301-350th.
A representative from University of Galway’s Students’ Union spoke to the Taoiseach about their concerns last week following the walk out. The Taoiseach acknowledged the students’ concerns and provided a contact for them to send housing proposals to.
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has said the government is “pursuing a new policy in regard to student accommodation”.
“For the first time as a State, we are going to invest in getting underway projects that have been stuck and building college-owned affordable accommodation. We will update the Cabinet committee on housing on this next week. The government took a number of cost-of-living measures in the budget, such as the first reduction in the contribution fee in more than two decades,” Minister Harris said.
