UCD STUDENTS’ UNION is establishing a food bank to support students struggling to buy food amid high rents and a wider cost of living crisis.

Emilia O’Hagan, the UCD Students’ Union’s welfare officer, said a pantry stocked with basic provisions such as rice, pasta and tinned food will hopefully be up and running by October, with hygiene products possibly made available too.

It’s not the first students union to do so, with its counterparts in DCU and Maynooth  University already operating food banks.

O’Hagan said high rents and the reversal of the college fee reduction will leave many students struggling to afford basic necessities. She said she frequently receives emails and messages from students who are struggling financially.

The perceived need for the food bank at UCD was branded a sign of the government’s “neglect of students” by Sinn Féin’s higher education spokesperson Donna McGettigan, who noted that the fee changes come on top of rising rents and food costs.

This evening, a spokesperson for Minister of Higher Education James Lawless told The Journal in a statement that the Student Assistance Fund can provide support for students struggling with financial hardship.

He encouraged students to contact the access office of their institution to check what other support may be available.

They said Lawless has met with AMLÉ and will be meeting UCD Students’ Union next month to discuss the financial challenges facing students.

As Leaving Certificate results were released today, thousands of students will be hoping to achieve a place at UCD during the upcoming CAO offers.

Last year, over 35% of all CAO applicants applied for a place in the university, according to UCD.

O’Hagan said many students were already struggling to find accommodation due to rent prices and lack of availability.

UCD has the most expensive on-campus student accommodation in Ireland, with an ensuite bedroom in Village three costing over €1,300 per month, coming to a total of €11,888 for the academic year.