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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Questions (989, 1003, 1022, 1025, 1037)

Holly Cairns

Question:

989. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to students being denied refunds on private student accommodation after returning home due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32415/20]

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Niamh Smyth

Question:

1003. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a case (details supplied) can be reviewed and clarity provided on same in order that the persons can avail of a refund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32458/20]

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Michael Collins

Question:

1022. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will liaise with the third level sector in relation to advance payment for accommodation by students; if refunds will be offered to any student who has paid upfront for his or her accommodation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33046/20]

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Claire Kerrane

Question:

1025. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will contact a student accommodation provider (details supplied) that is refusing to issue refunds or partial refunds to students in which their college courses have moved online in line with Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33241/20]

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Brendan Griffin

Question:

1037. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will engage with higher education institutes to address situations in which persons are paying for accommodation that they do not use (details supplied); if he will take a hard line with bodies not applying flexibility to students and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33773/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 989, 1003, 1022, 1025 and 1037 together.

On 25th September intensified protective measures in third level were announced, in line with public health advice. On-site activity in further and higher education will be minimised so long as these measures are in place. Campuses will remain open to facilitate learners and researchers in accessing laboratories, practicals and apprenticeship training, scheduled library attendance and small group activity on a prioritised basis. With the country being placed on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID for a period of six weeks, it is clear that this will be the case for the remainder of the first semester.

I appreciate that this is disappointing for students who had hoped to have as much time on campus as possible, however these measures are very important from a public health perspective in controlling the spread of the Coronavirus.

Responding to these issues is a significant matter of concern for myself and for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and we are examining how accommodation providers can be encouraged to show greater flexibility to students during this challenging time.

The Deputy will be aware that the university sector is already engaging with these issues. I will continue to liaise with the sector through the Irish Universities Association to encourage the availability of fair solutions to students in university-owned student accommodation. The majority of universities have confirmed that students who choose not to take up their accommodation will receive a refund and I have made it clear that I wish to see this principle applied by all universities.

For students in the private rental market, I am urging providers to be flexible in finding solutions given the circumstances in which students find themselves. There are, however, no powers available to me under the current legal framework to direct any particular course of action. Refund or cancellation policies in student accommodation should be set out in the license agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. In the first instance students should engage with their accommodation provider to see if an arrangement can be reached. If this is not possible, students have access to the Dispute Resolution Services of the Residential Tenancies Board.

I have asked my Department to continue to engage with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to monitor and report to me on developments on student accommodation issues in order to ascertain whether any further policy response is feasible.

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