Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
808. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding increasing the quantity of student accommodation available for undergraduate students in Ireland. [54260/22]
View answerAccommodation shortages in the private rental market is impacting significantly on students. Fundamentally, the challenge is one of supply. As a country, we need to dramatically increase the supply of all types of housing and accommodation, including student accommodation. A considerable body of work has been undertaken since the Cabinet Committee on Housing identified last July that support for increased supply of student accommodation is a priority in improving pressures within the rental market and supporting students to access education.
I brought a proposal on student accommodation to the Cabinet Committee on Housing in October and received support to progress a new policy that bridges the challenging gap between the viability of delivering purpose-built student accommodation and subsequent rental affordability for students.
Supported by the agreement from the Cabinet Committee on Housing, I intend to bring a memorandum to Government in November with proposals to support the construction of student accommodation on identified public sites in return for affordable rates for priority groups, together with an outline of planned wider policy development.
This will involve the State for the first time assisting with the cost of building student accommodation in return for affordability commitments on rent. To advance this work I have established a dedicated Student Accommodation Unit which the purpose of examining and drafting a policy for Student Housing and Accommodation as a matter of urgency. This unit will lead the examination of and development of a range of policy options and supports to ensure that adequate accommodation will be provided to students especially those who are struggling to afford rent.
Housing For All contains an action to stimulating supply of affordable student accommodation in addition it also contains a commitment to support technological universities (TUs) to develop purpose-built student accommodation where such a requirement exists.
