Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
2077. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39207/23]
View answerI am aware of the impact of accommodation shortages on our third level students and I am actively working to address the supply of student accommodation supported by the Government approval which I received last year to develop a number of policy responses for student accommodation.
I have established a dedicated student accommodation unit in my Department to develop and implement this policy alongside the Higher Education Authority (HEA). 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 (DHLGH) and the wider higher education sector, and other key stakeholders on student accommodation issues.
To date, the Government has approved a total of up to €61m in capital and current funding to unlock the development of over 1,000 beds, with delivery beginning in 2024. These developments have planning permission but have stalled as a result of increased construction costs. My officials are also examining additional proposals for potential developments within the HEI sector.
In the meantime, there will be an additional 938 beds available in publicly funded Higher Education Institutions for the upcoming academic year. There were also over 2,000 privately funded beds completed this year that are due for delivery this autumn.
My Department is also supporting increased usage of "digs" accommodation through the Rent-a-Room Scheme. The Government has introduced changes to the scheme; which provides a tax exemption for homeowners to earn up to €14,000 per annum in rental income. Income generated through the scheme may now be disregarded for the purposes of social welfare eligibility and also when calculating the qualifying financial threshold for medical cards and when examining reckonable income for support under the SUSI grant scheme. My Department recommends contacting the HEIs Accommodation officer or Students Union for accommodation supports at a local level.
Work is ongoing with the DHLGH to allow Local Authority tenants to access the scheme. The DHLGH is working along with the City and County Management Association (CCMA) to develop operating principles for the scheme which will ensure a consistent and equitable approach across the local authorities. However it should be noted that the day to day management of housing stock is a matter for each local authority.
This summer, I launched a national media campaign to promote awareness of and participation in the scheme, targeted both at homeowners and students. This campaign is run in tandem with localised campaigns run by the higher education institutions.
In line with the updated Housing for All commitment to “Develop policy and methodology for potential long-term state support for the construction of PBSA to provide additionality for targeted cohorts”, the Department is developing the long–term policy in consultation with relevant Government Departments and stakeholders, and I intent to present this policy to Government in Q4, 2023.
With respect to the student referred to, I would encourage them to contact their HEI for details of accommodation providers including private supply of student accommodation and digs suppliers in the area.
