The Union of Students in Ireland

Lobbying Organisation The Union of Students in Ireland

Date published 21 May, 2024

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024

Specific Details USI's lobbying work with the Minister for Further and Higher Education for the relevant period

Intended results Student Accommodation: The publication of the National Student Accommodation Strategy - The enforcement of planning permissions against the owners of private student accommodation with regards to compulsory length leases - an update on the standardized design for student accommodation - the development of a framework for allowing Technological Universities to borrow state funding for the development of student accommodation - the enactment of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2023. Mental Health and Student Supports - ensuring that the funding dedicated to the Student Assistance Fund is matched annually permanently - a policy for informing students of any hidden costs from the outset - accommodation services for students that are sent away from home on mandatory placement programs. Postgraduate Supports: Workers' Status for postgraduate researchers - issues regarding visas of the spouses of postgraduate researchers - full state funding to bring the stipend amount for all postgraduate researchers in line with the findings of the Independent Review into State Supports for Postgraduate Researchers which is €25k per annum. Students fleeing conflict zones: the production of a national policy for the enrollment and support of students that have fled conflict zones in Irish higher education institutions with a focus on those evacuated by the Dept of Foreign Affairs from Gaza. Gaeilge - a comprehensive education policy for the teaching of the Irish Language from pre-school through to Third-level Education.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Zaid Albarghouthi

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Meeting with Minister Simon Harris at Leinster House to discuss the intended results. Attended by various USI officers and officials from the department's Student Support Unit, Student Accommodation Unit, and Innovation, Research and Development Policy.

Email (2-5)

Followed up with the Minister's staff and Departmental staff regarding the enrollment of students evacuated by the DFA from Gaza.

Informal communication (2-5)

Various conversations with Departmental Staff at the Annual Funding the Futures event relating to follow up on the intended results outlined above.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)