what can you do?Visit www.usi.ie for more information about the stand up campaign:

how to contact your LocaL tds and teLL them to pubLicLy oppose fee hiKes and grant cuts

how to share the campaign with your friends and coLLeagues

when a regionaL protest might be in your area

This campaign is organised by the Union of Students in Ireland. USI is the national representative body for over 250,000 students in third level education in Ireland. We are a membership organisation – our members are

our affiliated Students’ Unions around Ireland, North and South. USI fights to protect and strives to enhance the student experience.

be counted

2845_USI_FUSU_dlleaflet_aw.indd 1 26/10/2012 12:05

Since this recession began, the average disposable income for Irish families has plummeted to just over €22,000 and the unemployment rate stands at close to 15%. Income tax increases, pension levies, the household charge and benefit cuts have hit families hard. When Ruairi Quinn signed a pledge not to increase fees and to protect a grant, many families with children in or about to enter third level education drew some comfort from the promise that college would not become more expensive. Instead, fees rose by €250 and will continue to rise until they reach €3,000. The maintenance grant has been

cut by 12% and families living less than 45km from college no longer qualify for the non-adjacent rate. The cost of participating in third level education in Ireland is over €10,500 per annum for students living away from home. If the Government continues to target students, it will increase dramatically. For parents with one child in college, this may be affordable. For parents with two or more children in college, it may mean a return to the days when a family had to choose which child would be given the chance to get a third level education and pursue their ambition to its highest level.

Colleges are an integral part of local economies. The thousands of students who populate college towns sustain business both large and small. Landlords, shop owners and other business proprietors rely on these students to maintain a viable turnover. If government continues to target students for fee increases and grant cuts then the local economy and local businesses will suffer.

your town wiLL sufferAs students have less and less disposable income, the businesses that once relied on them for regular custom will see a steep drop in revenue. In these hard times, local businesses may not be able to absorb such a loss. Your town will be a worse place if students continue to be seen as a soft target by the Government. Some will drop out of college and return home. Some will simply keep their heads down and try to get by as best they can.

fed up with this?Then Stand Up and fight for your town. Stand Up to the TDs who courted your vote before the election and who promised a renewal of the local economy. Tell them how important students are to the local economy and to your town.

are you fed up yet?As parents and constituents, you have huge influence over your local politicians. Stand up and let them know that if they target you or your children anymore, you’ll ensure that they won’t win re-election.

parents and famiLies bear the brunt of the goVernment’s betrayaL

and what about your town?

coLLege fee increases

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

€3000€2250€1500€750€0

€150

€317

€330

€353

€371

€396

€670

€750

€775

€800

€825

€900

€1,500

€2,000

€2,250

€2,500

€2,750

€3,000

fees set to increase by €250 per year to

€3,000 in 2015

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