Accommodation for 3rd level students not acceptable, says Birr principal

A BIRR school Principal has strongly criticised the current state of accommodation for Third Level students as being “completely unacceptable.”
John Kennedy, Principal of St Brendan's Community School, told the Midland Tribune that the lack of accommodation available and the excessive rents for accommodation was denying a significant number of students their “basic rights”.
John pointed out that the transition between secondary school and third level colleges can be a stressful time for students, but it is being made a lot more stressful because of the Housing Crisis. “Some haven't been able to find accommodation and therefore are having to make daily commutes by bus from Offaly to Maynooth or Dublin.”
Reflecting on this year's Leaving Cert results he said he was extremely happy with them. “About 60% of our Leaving Cert students achieved over 400 points,” he remarked; “27 students got over 500 points; four students achieved over 600 and one achieved the maximum 625. The four students were Karo Bekker, Roisín Riley, Aislinn Ryan and Annabel Haslam. One of the students got 100% in Higher Biology and Higher English, which is phenomenal.
“In the Leaving Cert Applied Programme ten of the twelve received Distinctions, which is very pleasing.”
The Principal added that the Leaving Cert year were a “lovely group” of people, who were known for their manners and respect towards others.
There are 837 students in the school. 104 sat the Leaving Cert.
“Our results were an improvement on last year. We are continuously, year after year, above the national average.”
A study carried out by the UCC Students' Union was published last week. It found that third level students are going to lectures hungry, and foregoing healthcare, and sanitary products in an attempt to make ends meet. In the survey of more than 3,000 students, housing was identified as the most significant issue with more than half saying that housing costs were their "most significant source of pressure".