Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) Council have voted to allocate €20,000 across a five-year period to subsidise childcare costs for student parents.
Council yesterday voted to accept the Terms of Reference (TOR) for a new student parent and carer fund, originally voted through in February.
It will make up to €4,000 available each year, with unspent funding to go towards extending the fund’s duration beyond the initial 5-year period.
The motion to adopt the TOR was proposed by TCDSU Welfare and Equality Officer Hamza Bana and seconded by Student Carer Officer Katelyn Mullan Galvin.
Speaking to Trinity News after the motion passed, Bana said he was “very happy to have the motion passed”.
“[This] allows student parents/carers to not have to worry about pinching pennies to afford childcare as it is high in demand and high in price.”
The funding will be specifically used to reimburse student parents and carers for child-minding costs over the two midterm breaks.
A 2023/24 survey report by TCDSU found that 85.4% of student carers believe there is a need for financial support for student parents with dependents during school holidays.
Reading weeks do not coincide with mid term breaks for school students, posing a problem for student parents and carers as it means they have to source and finance extra childcare during the mid term break.
TCDSU Council voted to introduce the fund in February 2024. This year’s Council commended the work of the previous welfare and equality officer and student parent officer in the creation of the fund.
