Students at the country's leading fine art college demonstrated today against cuts and overcrowding they say are damaging the quality of their studies.
300-400 students at the National College of Art and Design on Dublin's Thomas St gathered at lunchtime to deliver signed letters of protest to the college's director.
The students filed into the director's office individually to hand in their letters.
NCAD Director Declan McGonagle said he shared many of the student's concerns. He told RTÉ news that a huge reduction in resources across the third-level sector meant there was now a crisis.
Mr McGonagle said art and design education here was now at or beyond a tipping point and that this needed to be addressed strategically.
Six months ago the head of the Higher Education Authority Tom Boland warned the sector was reaching a tipping point as a result of cuts to funding and staffing.
In recent years student numbers have risen by more than 16%, but public funding has been cut by 23%, while staff numbers have fallen by 10%.
But cuts are not even across the sector. NCAD says its core funding has fallen by 50%. Students and staff at the college say that cuts have hit harder there because of the practical, resource intensive nature of art and design studies.
Students at NCAD say they will protest again next Tuesday if their concerns are not addressed.
