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Wednesday, 20 Oct 2021

Written Answers Nos. 162-181

Fuel Poverty

Questions (162)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

162. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons in receipt of the benefit for 65 year old payment will be eligible to apply for the fuel allowance payment; if the payment will be included as a qualifying payment for fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51535/21]

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Written answers

The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, to 365,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021.  The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs.  The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household.  It is not intended to meet those costs in full.  Only one allowance is paid per household.

Qualifying payments for fuel allowance are those payments that are considered long-term payments and an applicant must also satisfy a means test.  People on long-term payments are unlikely to have additional resources of their own and are more vulnerable to poverty, including energy poverty.  It is for this reason that the Department allocates additional payments, supports and resources to help this cohort of claimants

The Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds is a short-term payment for people aged 65 who have ceased employment or self-employment and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.  It is not a means tested payment.  Accordingly, it is not a qualifying payment for receipt of fuel allowance.

Any decision to include the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds as a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context. 

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs.  Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (163)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

163. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons in receipt of the benefit for 65 year old payment will receive the Christmas bonus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51536/21]

View answer

Written answers

Persons in receipt of the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds will receive the Christmas Bonus in 2021 as provided for in Budget 2022.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.  

Social Welfare Eligibility

Questions (164)

Michael Creed

Question:

164. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to the carer’s allowance. [51538/21]

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Written answers

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 23 September 2021.

It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of the application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 15 October 2021 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (165)

Thomas Gould

Question:

165. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons availing of the telephone support allowance. [51576/21]

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Written answers

The Telephone Support Allowance is an extra weekly payment for people in receipt of certain social welfare payments who also receive the Living Alone Allowance and the Fuel Allowance. At the end of September, some 136,400 people are receiving the allowance. 

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (166)

Thomas Gould

Question:

166. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons availing of the living alone allowance. [51577/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Living Alone Allowance is an increase payable to recipients of certain social welfare payments if they are living alone. In September, 223,600 people were receiving this allowance. 

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (167)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

167. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if a community employment scheme placement can be extended for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51582/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department provides a range of employment support schemes, including Community Employment (CE) which are specifically targeted at those people who have been unemployed for 12 months or more.

The aim of CE is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people by providing valuable work experience and training opportunities in jobs based within local communities. 

Together with Minister Humphreys, I recently announced further funding to allow for the extension of all contracts for existing CE and Tús participants until 4th February 2022, in recognition of the public health siutuation, which may have adversely affected some programmes. These final contract extensions will provide existing CE participants with additional time to complete training and benefit from ongoing work experience.

The person concerned commenced on the relevant CE scheme on 8 January 2018 and completed three  years on CE on 31 December 2020.  As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the person concerned received an extension to November 2021, which has now been further extended to at least 4 February 2022. (It is intended to provide for phased exits from the extended schemes from this date onwards.) 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Pension Provisions

Questions (168)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

168. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a pension for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51642/21]

View answer

Written answers

State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.  For the purposes of the means test; cash income, including foreign pensions, the value of any property (excluding a person’s own home), and the value of any savings and investments which a person or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant holds are assessable.

An application for state pension (non-contributory) was received from the person concerned on 30 August 2021.  Following an assessment of the income and assets of the person concerned, including income from their spouse’s employment, the Deciding Officer determined that the weekly means of the person concerned exceeded the permissible statutory weekly limit of €262.50, and their application was disallowed.

The person concerned was notified of this decision on 8 September 2021, together with the reasons for the decision and their right, if dissatisfied with the decision, to request a review of the decision, or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.  There is no record that an appeal was received from the person concerned.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Income Inequality

Questions (169)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

169. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are persons that have no income of their own due to the fact that they are unable to work due to illness or disability or are stay at home parents (details supplied);; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51644/21]

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Written answers

My Department provides a number of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. There is a range of benefits available to people who make Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions. Entitlement to such benefits is dependent on the individual's social insurance contribution record, the class of social insurance paid as well as satisfying other qualification criteria relevant to the scheme.   

A person who has an insufficient PRSI contribution record to qualify for a social insurance benefit/pension may apply for the appropriate means-tested social assistance scheme.  A means test establishes if a claimant has enough financial resources to support themselves and determines what amount of social assistance payment, if any, for which they qualify.  

This system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need with the means test playing the critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – be that illness, disability, unemployment or caring. The continued application of the means test not only ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need but that resources are targeted to those with greatest need.  

Cash/income that is assessed as part of the means test includes any income from employment or self-employment (and that of their spouse/partner, if applicable), income from a social security pension from another country and maintenance payments.    

Capital assessed as part of the means test includes all monies held in financial institutions or otherwise, the market value of shares, as well as houses and premises owned by a claimant which may or may not be put to commercial use.  Property personally used or the claimant’s home is never assessed as part of the means test, regardless of who is the legal owner.  

Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66.  The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test.   

The DA income disregard allows claimants to earn up to €140 per week from employment or self-employment without their payment being affected. Weekly earnings between €140 and €350 are assessed at 50% (that is 50% of earnings in this band are disregarded).  100% of earnings above €350 are assessed as means. An increase of €25 per week to the upper disregards was introduced in Budget 2022. This means that from June 2022 only earnings above €375 per week will be assessed at 100%.  The income disregard aims to ensure that people with disabilities can participate in work while retaining a proportion of their social welfare payment.  

The DA capital disregard allows for people to have capital to a certain level without their payment being affected. The table below sets out  the formula used for determining weekly means from capital for DA.  

Table: Weekly means formula for capital, Disability Allowance.

Formula

Weekly Means

First €50,000

Nil

Next €10,000

€1 per €1,000

Next €10,000

€2 per €1,000

Excess of €70,000

€4 per €1,000

Earlier this year, I introduced a new income disregard for Disability Allowance recipients who have been granted bursaries, stipends or scholarships towards completing a PhD.  The disregard is subject to an annual limit of €20,000 per annum (i.e. if a recipient gets more than one bursary, the combination cannot exceed €20,000). This disregard is available for a maximum of four years. Budget 2022 saw the eligibility for this disregard expanded to recipients of the Blind Pension.  

Social insurance payments for those unable to work due to illness or disability include Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension. Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type.  Additional payments may also be made in respect of a qualified adult and qualifying children.  Invalidity Pension is a pension paid to people who are 'permanently incapable of work' because of illness or disability. 

The Department also provides the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme for those whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants.  This scheme includes Exceptional Needs Payments, Urgent Needs Payments and SWA Supplements (heat, travel and dietary supplements). These means tested payments may be made to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.  Details and eligibility criteria of the scheme are available at www.gov.ie/SWA  

The Department regularly reviews its supports and payments schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives - while any proposed changes have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

Social Welfare Rates

Questions (170)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

170. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied with the €5 increase given to social welfare recipients; her views on whether it is acceptable given the increase in the prices of goods in all sectors and the impact it will have on these persons already under pressure financially; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51647/21]

View answer

Written answers

I announced on Budget day that the Government will spend over €375 million in providing a €5 increase to the weekly rate of social welfare payments from January 2022.  This includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults and those on reduced rates of payment. Young jobseekers on an age-related reduced rate will receive the full €5 increase in their rate.

In addition to a general rate increase, I have provided for targeted increases in payments. This will ensure that resources are focused, in the most effective way possible, to those with limited means, who are more at risk of poverty.

For example, social welfare recipients with children will see further increases of €2 per week in respect of each child aged under 12, and €3 per week in respect of children aged 12 or over.  

Pensioners and people with disabilities who are living alone will see their weekly Living Alone Allowance increase by a further €3, while all Fuel Allowance recipients will see a €5 weekly increase during the fuel season.

As a result of these targeted measures, which will be introduced in addition to the €5 increase to core rates, a pensioner or person with a disability receiving fuel allowance, and who is living alone, will see an increase of €13 per week during the fuel season, while a lone parent with two children aged under 12 will see their weekly payment increase by €14 per week during the fuel season. 

I am satisfied that the total social welfare budget package of €558.3 million has been designed to  protect the most vulnerable in society.  In addition to the general €5 increase in weekly payments, it targets measures for those most likely to be financially vulnerable so that it delivers a real increase in their weekly income in 2022.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (171)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

171. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who applied for an exceptional needs payment to assist with funeral expenses in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, by county in tabular form. [51696/21]

View answer

Written answers

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make an exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. 

An ENP is a means tested payment payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

An application can be made under the ENP scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship. 

In addition, my Department may provide for the burial of a person who has died and in respect of whose burial suitable arrangements are not otherwise being made. In such cases, my Department may meet all expenses necessarily incurred in the burial of a person. 

Statistics are maintained on the number of applications awarded under the SWA scheme.  They are not maintained on the number of applications received or the outcome of those applications.

The tabular statement below shows the number of ENPs paid by county for funeral and burial expenses in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.  

Tabular Statement: Number of ENPs paid by county for funeral and burial expenses in the years 2018 to 2021 (end of September)

County

2018

2019

2020

2021 

CARLOW

43

36

35

21

CAVAN

23

34

39

13

CLARE

39

43

43

34

CORK

245

211

234

191

DONEGAL

98

101

89

51

DUBLIN

1,156

1,131

1,050

676

GALWAY

75

97

78

44

KERRY

59

69

60

29

KILDARE

108

117

109

79

KILKENNY

59

51

38

41

LAOIS

44

55

71

29

LEITRIM

19

16

16

13

LIMERICK

116

125

91

72

LONGFORD

34

48

32

31

LOUTH

121

92

105

82

MAYO

57

46

63

29

MEATH

78

67

70

73

MONAGHAN

18

21

38

15

OFFALY

42

49

48

40

ROSCOMMON

32

36

37

30

SLIGO

35

33

35

28

TIPPERARY

95

121

106

58

WATERFORD

66

70

58

46

WESTMEATH

61

73

61

61

WEXFORD

60

62

41

32

WICKLOW

98

101

131

63

Total

2,881

2,905

2,778

1,881

Note: These figures are taken from the Department’s ENP database and represent a snapshot of the ENPs as they are approved by an officer rather than when they are paid.  Please note the figures do not capture payments that are cancelled, payments that go out of date or overpayments recouped.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (172)

Carol Nolan

Question:

172. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he or any official from his Department has held meetings or conducted correspondence with a company (details supplied) from 1 January 2017 to date; if his Department has engaged the services of the company for any purposes from 1 January 2017 to date; if so, the nature of such services and the costs incurred; if a tender process was conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51349/21]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department cannot find any correspondence or reference to meetings held with Kinzen Limited, previously Neva Labs. The Department does not have a record of any contracts or spend with the company.

Child and Family Agency

Questions (173)

Patrick Costello

Question:

173. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of the €183 million funding for his Department announced in Budget 2022 that will be used to establish therapeutic services internal to Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51392/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has been allocated additional funding of €183 million in Budget 2022. This will bring the total investment provided to this Department to just over €2.1 billion for 2022. I was also pleased to announce in Budget 2022 that Tusla will be allocated €899m for 2022, which is an increase of €41m over the amount allocated in Budget 2021. The specific amount to be used for the purpose outlined by the Deputy is not yet established.

I will shortly issue my Performance Statement to Tusla outlining the overall parameters of Tusla's financial resources, and signalling my priorities for the coming year in accordance with section 44 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. In response to this, Tusla will prepare its annual Business Plan for 2022 in accordance with section 46 of the Act. This outlines the proposed activities for the year and the details of the proposed allocation of total financial resources.

Child and Family Agency

Questions (174)

Patrick Costello

Question:

174. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of the €183 million funding for his Department announced in Budget 2022 that will be used to establish a support service for parents of children that have been taken into care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51393/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has been allocated additional funding of €183 million in Budget 2022. This will bring the total investment provided to this Department to just over €2.1 billion for 2022.

I was pleased to announce in Budget 2022 that Tusla will be allocated €899m for 2022, which is an increase of €41m over the amount allocated in Budget 2021. The specific amount to be used for the purpose outlined by the Deputy is not yet established.

I will shortly issue my Performance Statement to Tusla outlining the overall parameters of Tusla's financial resources, and signalling my priorities for the coming year in accordance withsection 44 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. In response to this, Tusla will prepare its annual Business Plan for 2022 in accordance with section 46 of the Act. This outlines the proposed activities for the year and the details of the proposed allocation of total financial resources.

I can advise the Deputy that requests for tenders for the development phase of a national service to support parents of children in the care of the state opened last week. Tusla has contracted the Children’s Rights Alliance (CRA) to undertake this process. The CRA is carrying out a scoping exercise on the needs of parents with children in care and is also managing the tender process to secure a service provider who will deliver and evaluate a model of supports to meet the identified needs. This is part of a process that, if proven effective, will move towards the development of a larger national service.

Childcare Services

Questions (175)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

175. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the once-off measure costing €37 million will operate or be spent exclusively in 2022; if not, if it will roll over into 2023; and if so, the cost of the measure in 2023. [51396/21]

View answer

Written answers

In Budget 2022 I have secured an additional €78m in early learning and care and school age childcare funding, bringing the total investment in the sector to €716m next year.

Some €37m has been made available for Transition Fund for providers in the sector between the end of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and the introduction of the new Core Funding stream, May to August 2022.  The Transition Fund will provide the necessary resources to support ELC and SAC services to ensure there continues to be no increases in parent’s fees for ELC and SAC in the period leading up to the introduction of the new funding stream.

It is my intention that this once-off measure  will operate in 2022 to provide funding to support early learning and childcare services in the transitional phase to the introduction of the new funding stream in September 2022.

Freedom of Information

Questions (176)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

176. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51641/21]

View answer

Written answers

The interpretation and operation of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, and responses to individual requests, are the responsibility of each independent Government body. It is an operational matter for Tusla to deal directly with the persons concerned. I have asked Tusla to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.

If the individual is not satisfied with the decision of their Freedom of Information request, they may ask Tusla directly for an “internal review” of the decision. Should the individual still be dissatisfied with the result of the request, they can make contact with the Office of the Information Commissioner, details below, with regard to a further appeal.

The Office of the Information Commissioner

6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773.

Phone: +353-1-639 5689

Email: info@oic.ie

Twitter: @OICIreland

Departmental Contracts

Questions (177)

Carol Nolan

Question:

177. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he or any official from his Department has held meetings or conducted correspondence with a company (details supplied) from 1 January 2017 to date; if his Department has engaged the services of the company for any purposes from 1 January 2017 to date; if so, the nature of such services and the costs incurred; if a tender process was conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51356/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has not not held any meetings or conducted correspondence or engaged the services of Kinzen Limited, previously known as Neva Labs.

Further and Higher Education

Questions (178)

Patrick Costello

Question:

178. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline for the publication of the next national access plan; if there are plans to incorporate the introduction of a designated staff member for care leavers in higher education into the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51394/21]

View answer

Written answers

Work on the development of the next National Access Plan (NAP) 2022 - 2026 is currently underway.

The consultation process, which closed on 18th June 2021, invited all interested parties to make their views known on this matter and other matters related to access to higher education particularly for groups who are underrepresented in the higher education population.  One-to-one stakeholder meetings around the specific target groups to be supported for the period of the next NAP are currently underway.  Colleagues in my Department are working closely with the HEA on the development of the new Plan with the intention of publishing the plan in the coming months.

 

Third Level Education

Questions (179)

James Lawless

Question:

179. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of third-level students that applied for funding under the Student Assistance Fund in the past ten years in tabular form; the number that were granted funding; the number that were refused funding by educational institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51431/21]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available.  We are working on compiling a response to the question raised and we will revert to the Deputy in due course.

Third Level Education

Questions (180)

James Lawless

Question:

180. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of third-level students that are experiencing housing poverty; and if he has plans to survey third-level students to ascertain the pervasiveness of housing poverty among the student population. [51432/21]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department.

I understand that this is a very difficult time for students seeking to secure accommodation. The Government recognises this as a critical issue. 

Approximately 40% of students who rent accommodation do so in purpose built student accommodation, with 60% in the wider private rental market. Accommodation shortages in the private rental market, which have been made worse by the effects of Covid, have impacted significantly on students this year.   

As a country, we need to dramatically increase the supply of all types of housing and accommodation, including student accommodation.   

My Department and I have been engaging with representatives from the higher education sector, including student representatives, on this issue. Together with these stakeholders and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, we are working to develop a stronger pipeline of affordable student accommodation.  

Last week I announced an enhanced Student Assistance Fund of €17 million for the coming academic year.  This Fund is a critical resource for students who are experiencing financial difficulties, whether they are ongoing or temporary in nature.  It is available to students to support them in meeting a wide range of costs including rent, food, childcare and essential travel.

I expect to receive the final report of the independent Student Grant Review in the next few months.  This will inform policy priorities and future considerations regarding the development of student supports. I have secured significant resources in Budget 2022 to commence the process of making improvements in the Student Grant Scheme.

In addition to securing resources to cater for additional demand in SUSI, it is a priority for me that we begin to make changes to the Student Grant Scheme to help deal with the increased costs of attending college. 

I also intend to continue to make progress in the implementation of the National Access Plan, which supports target groups who are otherwise under-represented in higher education, including though provision of bursaries. 

Third Level Education

Questions (181)

James Lawless

Question:

181. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions he is taking to ensure third-level educational institutions build and operate not-for-profit purpose-built student accommodation to alleviate the student housing crisis. [51433/21]

View answer

Written answers

I understand that this is a very difficult time for students seeking to secure accommodation. The Government recognises this as a critical issue. 

Fundamentally the challenge in one of supply and as a country, we need to increase the supply of all types of housing and accommodation, including student accommodation.   

That is why the Government has launched Housing for All, led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.  This sets out a series of actions which will be delivered to fix the housing crisis.  The plan is backed by the largest ever housing budget in the history of the State to transform our housing system, in excess of €20bn.

We have also been taking steps under the National Student Accommodation Strategy, published in 2017,  to support increased supply. Eight key targets and 27 actions are outlined in the strategy. The target for new purpose built student accommodation beds was for the provision of 7,000 bed spaces by end 2019 and a total of 21,000 additional purpose built student accommodation beds by 2024. 

The 2019 target was exceeded, with 8,300 bed spaces completed by the end of 2019.

As of Q2 2021, 10,700 bed spaces have been completed, work is underway on site on an additional 3,500, with planning permission granted on a further 11,300.

Actions under the strategy have also included ensuring that higher education institutions have access to low-cost financing.  Since 2017, the Housing Finance Agency has approved a total of €157 million in loans, to support the provision of more than 1,400 new student bed spaces across three universities.

During the Summer, together with Minister Donohoe and Minister O’Brien, I announced that €75 million of financing had been successfully sourced for the Council of Europe Bank for the building of student accommodation in universities.

Housing For All also contains a commitment to support technological universities to develop purpose-built student accommodation, through access to appropriate financing, and a specific action in relation to legislating to allow for Technological Universities to borrow from the Housing Finance Agency.  I will be working to progress this with colleagues across Government.   

My Department has been engaging with the higher education sector, together with the Department of Housing, to work through the range of issues identified by institutions to seek to develop a stronger pipeline of student accommodation. 

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