Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 October 2023
298. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the development of the long-term policy approach to support the construction of student accommodation; the expected timeline for the publication of the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45735/23]
View answerThe difficulties faced by students in accessing affordable student accommodation is an issue of which I am actively pursuing. Government approval to develop a short and long term policy response was received in November 2022. This policy will address the supply of affordable student accommodation for priority group students attending publicly funded higher education institutions in Ireland.
This landmark policy response will, for the first time, see the state providing financial support for the construction of student accommodation, and underpins the policy commitments set out in Housing for All. This policy will ensure increased availability and promote greater access in particular for student groups in line with the National Access Plan. At the heart of the new policy is a commitment to deliver student accommodation to those most in need, and to provide it at affordable rates.
To date, 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 have stalled as a result of increased construction costs. My officials are also examining additional proposals for potential developments within the Higher Education Institute (HEI) sector.
Support of €1m is also being provided to our Technological Universities (TUs) undertake a needs assessment response framework for the provision of student accommodation in key areas. My Department is also examining the mechanisms available including a TU Borrowing Framework in conjunction with other Government Departments, as part of the range of student accommodation initiatives underway.
Last month, Minister O’Brien and I announced plans to develop a design standard for Purpose Built Student Accommodation. The Cost of Construction Study which was published by Minister O’Brien in May of this year, recommends the development of a standardised specification for purpose built student accommodation. The objective of the PBSA Standardised Design & Specification Project is to examine international best practice and flexibility of design to inform appropriate standards in the delivery of affordable accommodation.
The long term strategy is being actively developed in consultation with the relevant Departments, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and through stakeholder engagement. It will also be informed by ongoing analysis across Europe and internationally for best practice for the delivery and management of student accommodation. I intend to bring this long term policy approach to Government in Q4, 2023.
There are an additional 938 beds available in publicly funded Higher Education Institutions for the current academic year. 674 in UG, 255 in UCC and 9 in TCD. In addition, over 1,500 privately funded beds are due for completion this autumn.
Since the beginning of 2016, 14,079 purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) beds have been built with 1,739 built in Galway. Work is underway on site on an additional 7,023 bed spaces. Planning permission has been obtained for a further 11,008 with 2,014 of these beds planned for Galway. A further 1,712 have applied for planning permission. The total level of PBSA stock is over 48,000 as of Q3 2023.
