USI is set to take its campaign for increased funding for many aspects of student life off the streets and into TDs' clinics.

USI campaigns co-ordinator Julian de Spainn said the union is "planning to have hundreds of students attending their local TDs' clinics to explain the extra case for investment in education. Students should be aware of the huge power they have through the ballot box. We intend to use that power to ensure that our demands are met".

De Spainn said that the approach would be simple. "The students will sit down and say `I am registered to vote here. I am going to vote here and this is what I want you to do for me,' just like any other interest group."

Although USI is critical of the current Government approach, de Spainn said this is not a call to vote against the Government, rather it is an attempt to show students are a force to be reckoned with. "We would hope that the Government would do the business as they are in power but we are looking to opposition parties for support also," he said.

As part of its campaign, the union is also encouraging students who are registered at home, as opposed to where they go to college, to register for postal and special votes before the deadline of November 25th.

USI will continue to push for students to ensure they are registered, especially first years who are not registered and might not even have thought of using their vote. "First years wouldn't have registered yet and we would ask them to register where they attend college," said de Spainn, pointing out that in all likelihood balloting would be held during the college week.

USI last week called for a increase in the special fund for students with disabilities and a review of the eligibility criteria for the fund. USI's equality officer, Martin French, said that some feel there is a discrimination against those with learning disabilities when it comes to eligibility and that the criteria for approval of funding are undefined. "The fund should be operated in a similar manner to the grants scheme, students should have some idea of their chances of receiving funding after their first year, and continuing through their college career," he said.