Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022
505. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work that has been undertaken to improve the availability and affordability of student accommodation. [6106/22]
View answerI am very conscious of the challenges faced by students in relation to student accommodation, and my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are working closely together to address these issues. This remains very much a priority for my Department.
The Government has taken measures to address affordability and rent increases. Rent increases in student accommodation are capped under the Rent Pressure Zones. Legislation passed this year restricts the amount that students can be required to pay up front for their accommodation, ending the practice whereby students were required to pay a lump sum up front each term, often in the range of €2,500 to €3,500.
However, fundamentally this challenge is one of supply and 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. I am also working with Minister O'Brien in exploring new policy on student accommodation.
