National Student Walkout: Joint Statement from UCD Student and Staff Unions
As student and staff representatives at University College Dublin (UCD), we are united in our call for urgent reforms to address the critical issues facing higher education in Ireland. Together, we stand in solidarity to advocate for an end to precarious employment in teaching and to secure the necessary funding that will support a high-quality student experience.
This joint statement comes in the lead-up to the National Student Walkout, taking place on Thursday, 17th October 2024. Students and staff at UCD—and across the country—are preparing to take collective action, standing side by side to demand an education system that works for all.
Precarious employment remains one of the most pressing issues in the higher education sector. The widespread use of short-term and casual contracts not only harms staff but also impacts the quality of education students receive. Staff working under insecure contracts face uncertainty, undermining their ability to deliver the best possible teaching and support.
UCD Students’ Union (UCDSU) stands in firm support of our staff colleagues in their call for secure, long-term employment. We recognise that improving working conditions for staff is integral to enhancing the student experience.
Miranda Bauer, UCDSU President, said:
"We are proud to stand united with UCD’s staff as part of today’s events. Precarious contracts don't just affect staff—they affect students who rely on those educators for quality teaching and academic support. We are in this together, and students fully support our staff in their fight for dignified employment.”
Staff, in turn, understand the growing pressures students face—from the housing crisis to meeting the cost of tuition. UCD’s staff unions support the students’ demands for more affordable accommodation, the abolition of the Student Contribution Charge, and improvements in mental health and wellbeing services.
Karl Byrne SIPTU Education Sector Organiser said:
“We fully support call for the government to fund the building of dedicated student accommodation and echo the call for a permanent reduction of fees not just once-off measures. Whilst there was increased funding for Education in the Budget we need to ensure issues such as precarious work, adequate resources for upskilling and the cost of going to college for families are comprehensively addressed. In addition, we fully support calls to urgently address student-staff ratios and for an end to current restrictions on recruitment imposed under the Employment Control Framework (ECF)”.
As we approach the National Student Walkout on 17th October, we call on UCD leadership, national policymakers, and other stakeholders to pay close attention to the demands of both students and staff. This is a collective call for a well-resourced, equitable, and sustainable higher education system—one that benefits everyone.
Dr. Kelly Fitzgerald from the UCD branch of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (Ifut) said:
“The UCD branch of IFUT strongly supports the demands of the students in UCD to alleviate the cost-of-living and accommodation crises. The recognition of the need to lessen precarious contracts in the third level sector is greatly welcomed.”
Speaking on behalf of UCD’s UNITE branch, Dr. Jimmy Muldoon said:
“UNITE UCD publicly express our support for UCD Student Union's right to protest as part of the National Student Walkout in the face of unacceptable current pressures upon the student experience. We note and sympathise regarding the difficulties students are facing regarding affordable accommodation, student charges and levies, precarious contracts and a number of other issues. We particularly note the serious implications of underfunding within the University sector. As frontline staff, we see everyday the consequences of these issues and how they affect students, and we assert our solidarity. We express our hope that the National Student Walkout will focus attention on these issues and contribute towards their positive resolution.”
Our joint demands include:
Proper funding for higher education (€307m)
An end to precarious employment contracts
Affordable student accommodation
Abolition of the Student Contribution Charge
Increased funding for student services and wellbeing support
A minimum wage that reflects the cost of living, including postgraduate stipends
