Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 1

Written Answers. - Student Accommodation.

Richard Bruton

Question:

229 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has conducted an analysis of the availability of a land bank within third level colleges which could be released for the construction of purpose built student accommodation under the tax provisions of the recent Finance Act or otherwise. [5555/00]

(Dr. Woods): Section 50 of the Finance Act, 1999, was introduced specifically to relieve some of the supply pressure for student accommodation by providing a scheme of tax relief for the provision of rented residential accommodation in the third level sector. Properties qualifying for relief under the scheme are campus areas of the educational institution, or areas, within an eight kilometre radius of the main campus, which are approved by the educational institution as being an area within which a qualifying development may take place.

Under these provisions I am satisfied that the opportunity exists to create significant additional accommodation for third level students. In these circumstances as the third level colleges are autonomous institutions the Department has not conducted an analysis of the availability of a land bank within third level colleges which could be released for the construction of purpose built student accommodation under the tax provisions of the recent Finance Act or otherwise.