Hundreds of University of Galway students have walked out of lectures as part of a planned protest over the high cost of education.
Students left classes at 11.30am and gathered in front of the main concourse building on campus, where a number of speakers addressed the crowd.
They plan to march into Galway city centre this afternoon, to protest outside the offices of Government Chief Whip and local TD Hildegarde Naughton.
President of the University of Galway Students' Union Faye Ní Dhomhnaill said the protest was born out of frustration at a general lack of resources and supports for her members.
She said that students were being "thrown to the side" by the Government and claimed that there was little of substantial import in this month's Budget for those at third level.
Ms Ní Dhomhnaill said the demonstration, part of a Union of Students' national walkout, aimed to show policy makers that people in university were prepared to use their voices to demand a better deal.
She said her members were the next generation of leaders and wanted to send a clear message to the Government that their concerns around the provision of suitable accommodation, the student contribution charge and deficits in the higher education sector.
The protesters are seeking specific protections for students living in digs and want increased funding to ensure the additional costs they face during term time are eased.
USI’s Vice President for Campaigns Nathan Murphy accused the Government of ignoring the issues that members were facing in third level institutions around the country.
He echoed calls for students to ensure they were in a position to make their voices heard and register their views when voting in the forthcoming election.
