Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) launches General Election Manifesto to champion international students’ rights in Ireland

The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) has today launched its General Election Manifesto 2024 outlining the actions that must be taken by the next Government to improve the rights, welfare, and experience of international students studying in Ireland.

ICOS’ manifesto focuses on 6 key policy areas affecting international students and ICOS Members including: Housing, Immigration, the Higher Education and English Language Sectors, Racism, and Employment. 

Speaking about the launch of its General Election Manifesto, Brian Hearne, Policy and Communications Manager at ICOS, said: ‘International students play a critical role in Ireland’s academic, social, and economic landscape; yet, they continue to face significant challenges, many of which go unnoticed. This manifesto sets out clear policy proposals that will go towards enhancing international students’ experience in Ireland and Ireland’s reputation as an international study destination.’

Among ICOS’ key asks are: 

• Urgently pass legislation to clamp down on predators seeking sex in lieu of rent.
  
  
• Provide funding to universities and technological universities to build affordable Purpose-Built Student Accommodation.
   
• Publish a new National Student Accommodation Strategy with revised targets focused on affordable student accommodation.
   
• Increase the rights of licensees as they are not currently covered under the Residents Tenancies Act 2019.
   
• Provide investment in higher education to meet the growing demands being placed on HEIs.
   
• Increase normal working hours for non-EEA international students on a Stamp 2 visa from 20 hours to 30 hours per week.
   
• Enact and implement the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill (2022), and introduce legislation to address hate speech.
   
• Implement the Platform Workers Directive to enhance the employment rights of people working for delivery platforms.

ICOS has sent its General Election Manifesto to all political parties asking them to commit to its policy proposals if elected. 
 

Read full General Election Manifesto here.

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Further information:

Brian Hearne, Policy and Communications Manager
Email: bhearne@icosirl.ie 
Ph: +353 87 739 3042