Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
103. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to expand the availability of accommodation for students at South East Technological University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45582/23]
View answerMy Department and I are actively working to address the supply of affordable student accommodation through the development of a number of Government supported policy responses as outlined under Housing for All.
As the Deputy is aware, SETU Waterford campus is the only on-campus provision of purpose built student accommodation in the Technological University (TU) sector, providing 426 beds. To date students in TUs have relied almost completely on private rental market for accommodation.
Latest data from the Higher Education Authority shows there are 221 beds granted planning permission with a further 38 beds awaiting decision for in the SETU region. As of the 13th October there are 19 beds available in digs accommodation in the region.
Investment of €1 million in 2023/2024 is being provided through the HEA to assist our TUs, including SETU to undertake a needs assessment for student accommodation in key regional areas. This will include data led projections of demand for accommodation and a framework to respond to needs in each area. Department officials and I have had continuous engagement with the sector in relation to the feasibility study. Feasibility studies in respect of SETU Carlow and SETU Waterford, which were conducted independently by SETU are being reviewed in the context of the overall TU Feasibility Study.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is currently undertaking this study as part of the Governments’ commitment to support TUs in the development of student accommodation strategies. Work programme one of this study is nearing completion (supply and demand analysis) and the final report is due by the end of October. Work programme two and three will commence imminently to design and assess a frame work for student accommodation for the TU sector. I would like to thank the TU sector for their work to date and recognise the importance of their continued co-operation in ensuring the success of this response framework. The output of this will inform long term policy for student accommodation. I intend to bring this long term policy approach to Government in Q4, 2023.
The Housing Finance Agency Act 1981, as amended, facilitates lending by the HFA to institutions of higher education, including TUs. 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 as one of a range of possible mechanisms to address increased supply of student accommodation.
