On February 17th, a motion was brought to Comhairle 5 to establish a “Working Group to research the feasibility of a Contraception and Abortion Welfare Fund”, noting the financial barriers students face in accessing services, “impact[ing] their ability to pursue their education and maintain their wellbeing”. The motion was a result of an amended motion last Comhairle, proposed by the Union Forum (UF) and seconded by current President of the Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU/AMLCT), Grace McNally.
McNally yielded her time to LGBT officer Amy Kennedy, who noted that students without PPS numbers, international and homeless students, pay “hundreds of euros” out of pocket for services.
“We need a concerted, targeted effort to provide for these students”, said Kennedy, noting that the task force will see “what form that takes”.
The group would research accessibility issues regarding abortion and contraception services, sources of funding to cover costs of students seeking care, data and privacy protections needed to guarantee the anonymisation of student data, the volume of students in need, and the funding thus required.
Membership would consist of the current Welfare and Gender and Equality Officers, as well as the President and other interested members of the Union Forum.
Upon completing their work, the motion mandates that a report be produced by the Working Group, advising whether funding should be established or an alternative campaign be launched “to achieve the necessary support for students”.
No speakers spoke for or against the motion, and it passed with a majority.
