Scheduled for October 17th at 11:30am, the walkout follows similar protests in October 2022, when thousands of students left their lectures to raise awareness about the student accommodation crisis and rising living costs.

In advance of the walkout, the USI is pressing the government to implement protections for students living in digs, build affordable student housing, and eliminate the student contribution charge.

The union’s demands also include:

• Full funding to address the deficit in the higher education sector;

• Financial support to cover hidden costs;

• Funding to improve counsellor-to-student ratios;

• An end to precarious employment contracts;

• A minimum wage that matches the living wage (including for postgraduate stipends);

• Immediate general elections.

On Monday, the USI will release its general election manifesto, outlining the key issues that students want the next Irish government to prioritize.