Hard Knock Life for the Youth of Ireland

Aug 26, 2013 | Academic Affairs, RELEASES

'AMLÉ' (Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn) is the new name for the Union of Students in Ireland. It's a direct translation. It came into effect on 13 May 2025. The rebrand reflects the desire of the organisation to promote the use of the Irish Language.
USI was renamed 'AMLÉ' (Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn) on 13 May 2025. The rebrand reflects the desire of the organisation to promote the use of the Irish Language. The translation of 'Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn' to English is 'Union of Students in Ireland'.

Press Release

Monday 26th August

Event: Photo Stunt at Knock Airport Re: Emigration and Youth Guarantee

Location: Knock Airport, County Mayo

Hard Knock Life for the Youth of Ireland

ACROSS the west of Ireland today, colleges are calling on the government to tackle the youth employment and emigration problems that Ireland has been experiencing the past few years. The colleges NUIG (National University of Ireland, Galway), GMIT (Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology), IT Sligo, St. Angela’s Sligo, Athlone IT and the AMLÉ (Union of Students in Ireland) united today at Knock Airport for a photo stunt to hammer home the message to the government that emigration is an issue that needs to be sorted before more of the youth of Ireland leave to find employment that they just cannot get in Ireland.

Kevin Donoghue, Vice President for Border, Midlands and Western Region of AMLÉ said:

“Emigration is a serious issue for people of all ages. As many as two hundred people are leaving this country every day, and are taking their skills with them. AMLÉ’s pre-budget submission calls on the government to make a significant investment in the youth guarantee to avoid continuation of trends like this.

Families up and down the country have been forced to wave off children as they leave Ireland in search of work elsewhere. With over 30% of under-25s being unemployed investment in the youth guarantee will go a long way towards closing the generation gap that has begun to emerge in Irish society. Young people want to live and work in Ireland but a lack of action on behalf of the government to deal with the issues causing emigration means that many of us are forced to leave”.

ENDS

For more information contact AMLÉ Communications & Research Executive Grainne O’Reilly on 087-6776636, or 01-9052100