Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2021
165. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will request that purpose-built student accommodation ceases to be offered to tourists during term-time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49976/21]
View answerOfficials from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science have been engaging with officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding this trend in planning applications. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have issued a circular to the Chief Executives of all local authorities and pointed to the critical need for purpose-built student accommodation to be available to meet the needs of students in third level education.
The circular confirmed that purpose built student accommodation should not be used for other purposes, and that it should be safeguarded for use by students during the academic year.
