Stena Line announce plans to assist cash strapped students

Stena Line has reported new statistics which show that 14 per cent of Leaving Cert students are expected to leave Ireland to go to college in Britain as the prospect of fees are putting them off Irish universities.

Additionally, the current strength of the Euro is also making it more affordable for cash strapped students to study across the Irish Sea and, with this in mind, Ireland's leading ferry company Stena Line, is offering students the chance to save their money and set sail to university for free*.

Stena Line is continuing its effort to help students settle in to university life with a few more euros in their pocket and for the fifth consecutive year they can travel to Britain for free on all five Irish sea routes when they are accompanied by a paying adult and car.

Eamonn Hewitt Stena Line’s Communications Manager believes that the current economic climate is making things harder for students, but the support of parents can help them adjust easier to university life.

"With up to 3,000 Leaving Cert students preparing to leave home for the first time it can certainly be very daunting for many. By offering students the chance to travel for free with their parents, it's our way of helping to make the transition that little bit easier, with a few more Euros in the pocket," Eamonn said.

"Parents can pack everything necessary to make sure their child can survive without them and will be relieved to know that when they travel with Stena Line they don't have to worry about any baggage charges. If there are any other friends going to university these students can also travel for free, that is if there is any more room in the car."

Stena Line offers daily crossings on its five different routes to Britain including Dublin Port to Holyhead, Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead, Rosslare to Fishguard, Belfast to Stranraer and Larne to Fleetwood.

Notes to Editors:
*Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability. Booking must be a minimum of 14 days in advance of travel and before 14th October 2009. Travel must be completed by 5 January 2010

About Stena Line:
Stena Line is the market leader on the Irish Sea, offering the biggest ferry fleet and the widest choice of routes between Ireland and Britain, including Dublin Port to Holyhead, Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead, Rosslare to Fishgaurd, Belfast to Stranraer and Larne to Fleetwood. The company carries over three million passengers on its Irish Sea routes each year, more than its rival operators combined.

Stena Line PR Contact:
Eamonn Hewitt
Communications & PR Manager
Victoria Terminal 4
West Bank Road
Belfast
BT3 9JL
00 353 1 2047617
www.stenaline.ie