A workshop focussed on developing a national campaign to abolish higher education fees and promote greater inclusion at third-level was hosted by Fórsa late last month.

The Coalition for Publicly Funded Higher Education began to make preparations for campaigning on the issue in a general election, which is widely expected to be held next year.

Fórsa is among the members of the coalition, which is made up of trade unions and second and third level student unions. Lead organiser Kevin Donoghue said the workshop aimed to encourage greater campaign activity on campuses and at a grass roots level.

“The coalition has been working to advocate for reforms on a national level in the last few years. The purpose of this workshop is to increase the emphasis on campaigning at a local level in colleges across the country.

“We are strongly of the opinion that this duel approach to lobbying parties and individual candidates in the next general election on reforms is crucial to getting the message across that these reforms need to be implemented to address several years of underinvestment in the higher education system.

"Fundamental changes are needed to help students, current and future, who are struggling with the increasing cost of attending third-level education,” he said.

The workshop was co-ordinated by Gráinne Healy, a co-director of the campaign for marriage equality and YES Equality.