Students plan walk-out protest in Athlone this morning

Members of the Technological University of the Shannon Students Union: Midlands Campus (Athlone) are planning a protest this morning.

The USI national student walkout is timed for 11.11am today, Thursday October 13.

Kevin Pakenham, deputy president for the midlands, and other student union officers, are facilitating and encouraging students to walk out of their lectures to protest the costs associated with higher education - such as student parking, cost of college, accommodation, as well and the underfunding of the sector as a whole.

Kevin said the students of TUS Athlone have been facing significant financial pressures as a result of the cost of living crisis, and action is needed now to ensure the government do not ignore the needs of the higher education sector.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, the current student accommodation crisis, coupled with Ireland’s high third-level fees, and issues of parking have put a huge strain on the wellbeing of our students,” he said.

Demands for the protest are

• Protection for renters

• Reductions of rents

• Subsidy of purpose-built student accommodation from public funds

• Abolish student contribution charge

• Increased funding for higher education sector

• Minimum wage to match living wage

• Student parking on campus