Thousands of students from across the country are expected to march through Dublin today, calling for greater Government investment in higher education and action on the rising cost of student accommodation.
The protest, organised by Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn (AMLÉ), will take place ahead of next week’s Budget, with students calling on the Government to “Fund Our Future” and put student welfare at the centre of its plans.
AMLÉ says soaring rents, the rising cost of attending college and chronic underfunding are making it increasingly difficult for young people to study and build a future in Ireland.
The union claims there is currently a shortfall of around 50,000 student accommodation beds, while hundreds of students have reported experiencing homelessness.
It has described the Government’s response to the accommodation crisis as “a disgrace”, arguing that urgent action is needed to address the pressures facing students.
The march is due to begin at the Garden of Remembrance at 12.30pm, with students travelling from across Ireland to take part.
Organisers say the demonstration is intended to highlight what they describe as the Government’s “lack of care for their welfare” and to demand greater investment in the higher education sector.
