Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2022
157. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that a large number of students have lost out on securing on-site campus accommodation in the University of Limerick for the next academic year (details supplied); if accommodation is being held back to house Ukrainians who are entering Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18575/22]
View answerI am aware of the difficulties faced by students across the country including at the University of Limerick in relation to obtaining affordable accommodation and my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are working closely together to address relevant issues where possible.
The final allocation of accommodation by each higher education institution is a matter for that institution. While I can confirm that student accommodation is being offered to displaced Ukrainian people for the summer period generally, this is solely a temporary solution to situation at a time when students are not present on campus, and that this will not impact on the supply for students for the forthcoming academic year.
Fundamentally the underlying issue is one of the supply of housing generally and that there is a need to increase the supply of all types of accommodation including student accommodation. That is why Government launched Housing for All led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage which sets out a series of actions which will be delivered to address the housing crisis backed by a transformative budget of €20 billion.
My Department understands that there were 970 new higher education institution-owned purpose built student accommodation bed spaces completed in the past two years, with work underway on site on a further 929. As of December 2021, there were approximately 14,500 PBSA bed-spaces owned by higher education institutions. The Irish University Association reports a further 3,500 beds either under construction or in planning.
I have also written recently to all universities, technological universities and institutes of technology asking them to identify any potential local solutions, including the repurposing of existing buildings, which could contribute to increased supply ahead of the next academic year.
