Student Protests in Dublin

Education not Emigration

The Union of Students in Ireland marched on Leinster House (the parliament building), Wednesday, November 3rd, to protest the potential doubling of undergraduate registration fees and possible cuts to maintenance grants in the upcoming year.


25,000 students from universities nation-wide showed up to march in Dublin.  The demonstration began at Parnell Square and went through the city center, ending at the parliament building.  During the two mile walk, protesters chanted continuously.


Although the protests were intended to be peaceful, a group of 2,000 is reported by the Irish Times to have broken off from the main group after the demonstration and continued the protest outside the Department of Finance Building.  Students are reported to have thrown bricks, eggs and placards, and 20 students were able to get inside the building itself.

There were some injuries reported, but no one was seriously hurt.

For more information concerning the clashes on Wednesday, see the Irish Times article http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1103/breaking20.html


Background:



Currently, the Irish government pays for students from the European Union to attend university.  While tuition is free, students still must pay a registration fee that covers "the costs associated with registration, examinations and student services," according to www.educationireland.ie.  (One of my classmates informed me that student services includes student insurance, health care on campus, etc.)

While paying €1,500 or even €3,000 may not seem like much for a college education, it's important to note that the fee jumped from €900 to €1,500 for the 2009/2010 school year.  If it jumps again for the 2011/2012 year it will mean a 233% increase in just two years.  Irish families who have been budgeting for the lower registration fees may not be able to come up with the extra funds - especially if they have more than one child.

The government has also proposed a 10% cut to the maintenance grant, given to students from disadvantaged backgrounds to help offset the cost of student fees and other financial requirements.  While the grant may be as much as €6,000, it is typically between €1,000 and €3,000.  According to the Bank of Ireland, the minimum cost of living for a college student is €10,500 (I don't know where they're getting their numbers, because that wouldn't even cover housing in Dublin).  Thus, students who have the grants are still having to take on jobs to offset the cost of living.  Additional cuts would add further financial strain.

Because of the recent economic downturn, it is almost impossible to get a job in Ireland without a college degree.  Students fear that if they are not able to afford an education, they will be unable to find work in their own country.

For more information see the official Education not Emigration website: http://www.educationnotemigration.ie/wp/