Northern Ireland

Students concerned about their future and intend to emigrate

Annie Hoey, USI president
Annie Hoey, USI president Annie Hoey, USI president

Ireland risks losing a generation at the forefront of technology, medicine and scientific growth if fails to prioritise the future of young people, student leaders have warned.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) revealed that more than nine in every 10 (91 per cent) were concerned about their future in Ireland.

In addition, more than two-third of those in college said they were considering emigrating after completing their third level education.

A survey carried out by youth marketing agency, Generation Y, through their website Oxygen.ie, sought the views of 1,000 students over a 10 day period.

USI, which is the national representative body for 354,000 students in third level education in Ireland north and south, said the results were "shocking".

According to the Generation Y survey, 94 per cent of respondents said the housing crisis was impacting them directly while 66 per cent jeopardise their GPA (grade point average) by having to work whilst studying to fund college.

The same survey was also carried out in 2014 by Generation Y, but in two years there has been a 52 per cent increase in the number of young people concerned about their future in Ireland.

The most common reasons young people considered emigrating include better job opportunities abroad and students not being able to secure a job in their field of study.

USI said the survey information also showed that there was a direct link between the increase in college fees - which are now €3,000 annually - and the increase in those intending to emigrate.

More than over 80 per cent of those surveyed intend to emigrate for three or more years - a drastic increase from results compiled in 2014, when 39 per cent said they would leave.

The union also said an accommodation crisis was another huge factor in students considering emigrating.

Only 28 per cent said they believed they would be in the financial position to purchase their first home between the ages of 35-40.

"The results of the survey are shocking," said USI president Annie Hoey.

"If the government doesn't provide the younger generation with sustainable solutions to employment, accommodation and growth we will lose a generation at the forefront of innovation, growth and advancement to emigration. This generation is essential to progression in the fields of medicine, science, tech and finance. Without them, Ireland’s economy, which is currently the fastest growing in Europe, will slow down and subsequent generations will suffer as a result."

Ms Hoey said there was a need to make Ireland a more attractive place for young people to live, work and stay.

"We are the first generation who will be less well off than our parents. Students are concerned about their future in Ireland and they have a right to be concerned," she said.

"USI research shows that 95.3 per cent of students think the cost of college is too high; 73.1 per cent of students said the high cost of college causes them anxiety or stress; 72 per cent of students are struggling financially to stay in college; and if fees go up, 63 per cent of students said they won't be able to attend college.

"All of these issues, as well as the accommodation crisis, need to be addressed if we want to keep students and talented young people in Ireland."