Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
122. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions he has taken to maximise the availability of accommodation for third-level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51336/22]
View answerMy Department officials and I have engaged and continue to engage on an ongoing basis with the Minister and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the wider higher education sector and relevant stakeholders on student accommodation issues including within the context of the advancement of the Government's Housing for All policy.
I have also engaged over the course of the year with higher education institutions in relation to identifying local solutions in the immediate term.
I will be bringing a paper outlining proposals to increase the supply of student accommodation before the Cabinet Committee on Housing shortly, including proposals relating to a new model whereby for the first time the State would assist directly in bridging the gap between development costs and rental affordability in relation to the provision of additional student accommodation. This could involve the State assisting with the cost of building student accommodation in return for affordability commitments on rent. My Department is also ready to work with any of the new technological universities to support them to borrow to build student accommodation.
I have established a dedicated Student Accommodation Unit which will bring forward this new Student Accommodation policy as a matter of urgency.
