Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1447. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional criteria for grants for publicly-built student accommodation apply for land owned by universities compared to technological universities or ITs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36889/23]
View answerAt present there are no grants available to the HEI sector, including the TUs for the development of purpose built student accommodation. I am actively working to address the supply of student accommodation. Increasing costs of construction and financing are impacting on viability, and as a result a number of Universities had to pause their projects. In responding to these challenges, in November 2022, Government approved development of both short and medium term policy responses to activate supply.
These landmark policy responses will see the State providing financial support for the construction of student accommodation so as to ensure increased availability and promote greater access in particular for student groups in line with the National Access Plan, and underpin the policy commitments set out in Housing for All.
I have already established a dedicated student accommodation unit in my Department to develop and implement this policy alongside the Higher Education Authority. Since taking up office, my 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 other key stakeholders on student accommodation issues.
As part of the medium term response my Department are exploring a variety of options to bring on stream additional units. The long-term data driven, evidence based strategy is currently being developed to provide solutions to the student accommodation crisis. This will include an assessment of a range of options to deliver additional supply of affordable accommodation for our students. I intend to bring an update to Government on this strategy in Q3 2023.
