LIMERICK City Sinn Féin TD, Maurice Quinlivan, has said that the Government cannot be observers while students get fleeced for accommodation they are prohibited from using because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Quinlivan said that students are struggling immensely emotionally, financially and socially, and that the anger and sense of injustice they rightly feel is palpable.
Deputy Quinlivan stated: “Students followed the government assurances and paid for accommodation because they did not have their timetables finalised until it was too late. Now, many no longer need this accommodation but have already handed over thousands and thousands of euro.”
“Limerick is a third level city and we are very proud of the fine third level institutions that we have. I have had the opportunity to speak with some students over the last few days and the overwhelming feeling is that much of the uncertainty that they have faced around their education was avoidable. They feel that the Department for Further and Higher Education overpromised on the feasibility of getting students back on campus.
“Students are in a uniquely vulnerable position in the rental market as they are often asked to pay rent months in advance. It is completely unreasonable for them to be charged for something they cannot now use.
“Since the outbreak of Covid-19, students and parents have had to fight to get refunds for unused accommodation. Many are still trying to get their money back from last semester.
“Requested refunds need to be processed as quickly as possible. However, more than 90 percent of student renters are off-campus in private accommodation.
“There is a moratorium on evictions as was done during the previous lockdown. This is sorely needed and should never have been removed, but where is the same urgency when it comes to students?
“When requesting refunds for unused accommodation, students are told that there is no protective legislation in place for renters and that they will not be entitled to their money back. This is not good enough.
“Successive governments have failed students and their families. These accommodation providers need to be able to access the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) if they let students out of lease and give refunds.
“We are asking students to adhere to Level 5 restrictions and I know that they will not be found wanting. But we need to show solidarity with them. Level 5 counts as ‘use prevention’. Surely that must mean that we put in place measures to ensure that they are given fair play.
“All higher-level accommodation providers must be instructed and enabled to allow for leases to be terminated without incurring fees or penalties and full refunds to be issued to those who request them. If this means emergency legislation, then this is what must be done.”
