Government must tackle student housing crisis - Clarke

Sinn Féin TD for Longford Westmeath Sorca Clarke has demanded that the government tackle the student accommodation crisis.

Her comments came after third level students across the state are staged walk outs from lectures yesterday in protest at the cost of education and the lack of affordable student accommodation.

Deputy Clarke said:

“I send solidarity and support to students in Longford Westmeath and their families who took part in this walk out. This is not a decision that they have taken lightly. They have been forced into it by the government’s abject failure to stand up for students and tackle the housing crisis.

“Students at TUS in Athlone are struggling to get by day by day. Students are sleeping in cars, on sofas or commuting exhausting journeys because there simply isn’t enough housing in Westmeath. PHD researchers are pushed to the brink of their finances, without a living wage or decent conditions. SUSI grants are in dire need of reform.

“The student housing crisis should shame the government. It is not good enough for government ministers to act surprised every September. Students in the midlands and across the country deserve better.

“Despite all the hand wringing from government TDs this year’s budget is the third consecutive budget from this government with no allocation for student accommodation.

“The Fine Gael Minister for Further and Higher Education has passed the buck to the Minister for Housing. Someone needs to take responsibility.

“We need capital investment to unlock the 3,000-student college-owned beds that this government have allowed to sit on the shelf. This must happen without delay.

“Sinn Féin allocated €81 million in additional capital investment to get these shovel ready projects onsite and under construction.

“Sinn Féin is determined to stand up for students and ensure that they are treated fairly.”