Protest at UCD
UCD students say they’re living on beans and chickpeas to pay their rent.
They’ve held a demonstration against proposed hikes in the cost of accommodation.
Up to 100 UCD students gathered in the cold and rain for this on-campus demonstration.
Rents at the university are currently the most expensive in the country – costing between €7,000 to €11,000.
Great to see UCD students and @UCDSU standing up against the increasing on-campus accommodation rents at this morning's rally outside the management meeting where they will be discussing the rent decision. https://t.co/y7BqCp1LTc pic.twitter.com/aH21td2sgR
— shannon burke (@ShannonABurke) February 18, 2020
There are plans to increase them even further by 12% over three years.
The Student Union President also handed in a petition to university management this morning with 2,000 signatures on it.
One student from Galway says she has to sacrifice food to pay for her accommodation.
She said: "When I look in my cupboard its tins of beans, chickpeas and then some spices... it's kind of 'if you're making dinner, make dinner for a few days... make it last... make everything last... don't go out'.
"Students should be able to have a good life in college, and not have to live in absolute misery just to make ends meet."
💥Pissed off at the 12% rent hike?💥
Join us this Tuesday at 9.15AM in the Old Student Centre Atrium to rally in parallel to the management meeting where they'll be discussing this decision again👩🎓@FixOurEduUCD @AntiCasualUcd#NotABusiness #StopThe12pct https://t.co/p0bUl8A5zC pic.twitter.com/v0ypZcfEkB
— UCD Students' Union (@UCDSU) February 16, 2020
Student Union President Joanna Siewierska, also said the planned rent increases should be scrapped.
She said: "We find it completely unacceptable - we're in the midst of a housing crisis, and there's no justification or reason to increase rents by this incredible amount.
"We're already the most expensive on-campus accommodation provider in the country."
