Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
46. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the ability of technical universities to borrow funds to provide their own student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9076/24]
View answerHousing for All contains a commitment to support TUs to develop purpose-built student accommodation where such a requirement exists, through access to appropriate financing.
In November 2022, Government approved funding of €1m to assist the TU sector in developing a student accommodation programme based on a regional needs and feasibility assessment. The HEA appointed consultants, to undertake phase one of this work which commenced in June 2023.
Phase one has involved extensive data-gathering across all TUs, Universities and Colleges, comprising a data collection framework, 1-to-1 meetings with HEI representatives, and a centralised student survey on student accommodation. In parallel with the data collection, the HEA is overseeing the development of a standardised Preliminary Business Case process and templates. The intention of this work is to develop a programmatic approach to facilitate future TU student accommodation proposals. It is proposed that this will be achieved by using the demand analysis from the data collection process to inform a framework of delivery models and funding options as part of the second phase of the study.
Phase two of this study is to design and assess a framework for student accommodation for the TU sector. The phase two process has commenced and the deadline for return of proposals from the sector is the 15th of March 2024.
As part of this process, a number of delivery mechanisms are being assessed. This will include an examination of a borrowing framework for student accommodation. Any framework proposal will require approval by Government and the development of necessary safeguards to ensure that any capital programme of work will not impact the resources or financial position of the Technological Universities. We will work within the parameters of the public spending code to deliver on state supported student accommodation provision.
