'Regrettable' that we do not have our own dedicated SETU student campus in Kilkenny

The regular commuting hardship that plagues local students was highlighted at the latest plenary meeting of Kilkenny County Council.

Despite the majority of Kilkenny students attending the regional South East Technological University (SETU), Cllr Deirdre Cullen highlighted ‘the difficulties’ students face getting to SETU campuses in Waterford and Carlow.

“For many, the current transport services being offered either arrive too early or too late,” she said.

“This makes it regrettable that we do not have our own dedicated SETU student campus in Kilkenny.”

Cllr Cullen asked local authority representatives if it would be possible to conduct a review of local students using public transport to get to college.

Cllr John Coonan agreed with Cllr Cullen, adding that ‘when transport arrives, the buses are full’.

“Students are under enough pressure already without needing the additional stress of arriving and not being able to avail of public transport,” he said.

Director of Services at Kilkenny County Council, Tim Butler, informed elected members that the local authority can write a letter to the National Transport Authority to make them aware of the concerns raised by elected members.

THIRD LEVEL STATS

During the meeting, councillors were informed that 4,610 students from County Kilkenny were enrolled at a third level institution in the academic year 2022/2023.

Of these 4,610 students, 29% (1,350) were enrolled in a course at SETU.

Other universities that are popular with Kilkenny students are UCC (12%), UCD (11%) and UL (10%).