Students to protest accommodation crisis outside Dáil today

The Union of Students Ireland (USI) are due to protest outside the Dáil today to demand action on the student accommodation crisis. 

A demonstration will take place from noon and will conclude after a sleep-out overnight to raise awareness for their demands. 

According to the USI, the demands include funding for purpose-built student accommodation, rent controls, action to retain student beds, and a freeze on course places without increase in living spaces. 

They stated on their Twitter page that their calls have received "no response from government" and that "many students [are] deferring, dropping out or sofa surfing".