The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) will stage a national student walkout tomorrow to protest what they say is a “complete lack of measures” to support students in Budget 2025.
The demonstration, taking place at 11.30 am, will see the USI replicating the nation-wide walkout they staged in October 2022.
In a social media post last week, the body called on students to join the walkout to “highlight [their] anger at the complete lack of measures in Budget 2025 to support students and say enough is enough”.
“Let’s remind TDs and candidates of the power of the student voice”, the group said on X/Twitter.
In a college-wide email last Friday Vice-Provost Orla Sheils endorsed the walkout and announced that student’s absence will be permitted for the duration of the protest as a “mark of solidarity”.
Ahead of the walkout, the USI have outlined a number of demands for the government including increased funding for the higher education sector and the abolition of the student contribution fee.
Additionally the USI is calling for affordable student accommodation, protections for students living in digs, the end of precarious contracts in higher education, and a rise in minimum wage to meet the living wage.
These demands echo those made two years ago during the 2022 walkout which saw Trinity students leave lecture halls and assemble in front square in a protest which was also sanctioned by college.
The USI, who are also demanding the immediate calling of a general election, released a manifesto yesterday outlining what the group would like to see prioritised by the next government of Ireland.
The manifesto recommends the next government to publish a new strategic plan for student accommodation, introduce free public transport for all students, abolish all third-level fees and decriminalise recreational drugs for personal use.
Following the publication of the manifesto USI President Chris Clifford said: “We have outlined clearly what students across Ireland need to see prioritised by the next Government of Ireland and we are calling on all TDs and election candidates to support this manifesto, support students and seize that opportunity to change the future of this generation of students in Ireland for the better.”
