Students sleep out in accommodation crisis protest
Students from the University of Galway slept in tents in Eyre this week in a protest calling for “affordable student accommodation, digs legislation and more”.
Protestors assembled at the quadrangle on the UG campus at 4.30pm on Wednesday and marched to Eyre Square, where members of the Student’s Union camped for the night.
Dean Kenny, President of the UG Students’ Union, speaking at Eyre Square, said the turnout of the protest was “better than expected” considering the weather warnings.
“Any turnout on a day like this is good,” said Mr Kenny who estimated there were “a good 60 or 70” students in attendance.
The Students’ Union recently conducted a survey of 2,000 UG students and found that 30% do not have suitable accommodation.
This figure includes 11% who are commuting anything above 30 minutes; 3% who are in a hostel or emergency accommodation, and 2% who are sleeping on a friend’s couch.
Speaking at Eyre Square, Mr Kenny said there were two levels to what they were protesting: “University and government”. “We believe the University could do a lot more to help students.”