Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2023
123. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how many third-level institutions have plans to provide/increase student accommodation on their campus; and the lead-in time for same. [40602/23]
View answerIn recognising the challenges facing our higher education students in accessing affordable supply of accommodation Government approved a new policy led by my Department, to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new and additional student accommodation. This landmark policy response will, for the first time, see the State providing financial support in the construction of student accommodation, and underpins the policy commitments set out in Housing for All.
Within our Short-term Activation Programme, the Government has approved a total of up to €61m in capital and current funding to unlock the development of circa 1,000 beds, with delivery beginning in 2024. These developments have planning permission but had stalled due to increased construction costs. My officials are also examining additional proposals for potential developments within the HEI sector.
There are an additional 938 beds available in publicly funded Higher Education Institutions for current academic year with 255 in UCC, 674 in UG and TCD expect an additional 8 beds to open in the coming weeks. This brings the total of publicly owned beds to over 15,200. There are also over 2,000 privately funded beds due for completion this autumn.
Since 2017, almost 13,000 purpose built student beds have been built. Work is underway on an additional 7,165 beds, with planning permission obtained for a further 10,872 beds while 2,019 beds are awaiting a planning decision. The total stock of purpose built student accommodation equates to almost 47,000 beds.
In addition, investment of €1m was also announced to support the Technological Universities in conducting activation feasibility assessments to ascertain student accommodation needs across their various campus locations. This will include data led projections of student numbers and engagement with local authorities to examine potential vacant stock.
Department officials and I continue to engage with the sector in relation to the feasibility study. In June I announced the commencement of phase one of this study as part of the Governments’ commitment to support TUs in the development of student accommodation strategies. To date my officials and the HEA have engaged with all publicly funded institutions to examine current proposals and to develop plans assessing regional needs for accommodation. I am very encouraged by the commitment and dedication being demonstrated by our higher education sector in this process.
My Department and I are working with relevant Government Departments and Agencies to explore the development of a specific borrowing framework for the Technological University (TU) sector. The outcomes of the TU feasibility study will inform this ongoing engagement. It is anticipated that any borrowing framework would in the first instance prioritise the provision of student accommodation in line with commitments in the Government's Housing for All plan.
