Accommodation and healthcare were put under the spotlight today by the student vote. The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) launched its Election Report Card for Education, which graded the political parties on a range of key issues.
Vital questions about student accommodation, healthcare, full-time fees, part-time fees, and the maintenance grant were put to the parties, which are all trying to win seats in this Thursday's general election. Labour, the Green Party and Sinn Fein came top of the class, agreeing with all USI proposals.
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were placed mid table, with the Progressive Democrats last as USI said the party never replied to their questions.
USI President Colm Hamrogue the report card raises unsettling concerns for student voters deciding how to cast their votes. "USI is neutral on party politics and the Education Report Card conveys no implied judgment on any candidate contesting the election," he said.
"Worryingly, the Report Card reveals that firm commitments have not been made on all of these issues by every party, at least not yet. "Student accommodation and healthcare are issues where students are urged to investigate the parties' plans very closely, asking specific questions of the candidates. "Silence on any issue by any party or candidate might be regarded as a potential warning signal."
Mr Hamrogue said students have the right to be concerned if the parties do not establish a taskforce to tackle the lack of affordable student accommodation.
The Report Card reveals which parties are being coy about their plans for students," he added. "But the parties concerned still have enough time to allay voters' concerns by making strong commitments in public before Thursday."