Roadworks, rent and healthcare: What students want from the 2026 bye-election

Catherine Connolly’s win in the 2025 presidential election meant that the Dáil seat that she won in the 2024 general election was then left open.

This, as well as Pascal Donohue’s resignation, has triggered a bye-election in their two constituencies- Donhohue’s Dublin Central and Connolly’s Galway West.

With a number of months still to go before election day, SIN asked University of Galway students what issues they hope candidates will address.

Oisín Ó Coisdealbha, a final-year Global Commerce student said for him, the single biggest issue he’d like to see addressed is the housing crisis.

“I live at home and I’ve been trying to move into the city for the past year, but haven’t had much luck,” he said.

“I can’t afford the rent being advertised, which makes no sense with the hours I work. If I did move in, I’d be left with very little out of my paycheck.”

“I suppose cheaper student accommodation or something along the lines of lowering rents would be a big issue for me.”

International development student Orlaith Shanahan echoed these concerns about the rent in Galway.

“Mine’s after going up another 4% and probably will continue to do so indefinitely. It’s not like anything in the house is changing- we’ve had no home improvement and like half of the estates in the county it’s full of mould,” said Ms Shanahan.

“I think the rent pressure zones were a great idea, I can’t see why the rules are being changed.”

Ms Shanahan also said that a big issue that isn’t being addressed is better health services for students.

“The student health units are great, but they can only help with certain things- I’d love to see a more accessible health system that works closely with them to make getting medical attention more streamlined.”

English and Gaeilge student Orlaith Ní Churraoin said that, as a commuter, the condition of the roads is an issue she would like to see addressed.

“Since a lot of new estates were built along my route to college the roads have become a pretty patchy mess,” she said.

“It’s a rough surface to drive on, and I feel like I’m flinching my way in for 40 minutes every day. It would be nice if they could try even out some of the worst-affected places.”

The bye-election is set to take place in May, to fill the now vacant fifth seat. Galway West’s current TDs are John Connolly, Fianna Fáil; Mairéad Farrell, Sinn Féin; Noel Grealish, Independent; and Hildegarde Naughton, Fine Gael.