Michael D'Arcy
Question:66 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in the past 12 months in providing on-campus accommodation for third level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11759/00]
Written Answers. - Third Level Accommodation.
Derek McDowell
Question:70 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, his Department has to increase investment in on-campus accommodation in view of the fact that up to 50,000 students require accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11746/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 70 together.
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.
Given that the legislation and regulations are in place a relatively short time I am satisfied with the progress to date. As relief will be available under the legislation for expenditure up to 31 March 2003, the opportunity exists to create sig nificant additional accommodation for third level students and, therefore, I do not propose to intervene further at this stage.