Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
159. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Atlantic Technological University, Sligo has been approved for purpose-built student accommodation funded by his Department; if he will outline the process of a Higher Education Institution receiving approval to build student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45638/23]
View answerIn recognition of the need to increase the supply of student accommodation, my Department is developing policy responses to stimulate the development of new and additional student accommodation for public higher education institutions. 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.
Investment of €1m in 2023/2024 is being provided through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to assist our Technological Universities (TUs) including the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) 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. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) are finalising work programme one of this study which included an initial survey and extensive data gathering exercise, to provide the basis for supply and demand analysis and projections for student accommodation in key regional areas.
The supplementary work programme of this study will commence imminently to design and assess a framework for student accommodation for the TU sector. I would like to thank the TU sector for their engagement to date and recognise the importance of their continued co-operation in ensuring the success of this response framework.
The output of the TU Feasibility Study will inform our long term policy for student accommodation which I intend to bring to Government in Q4, 2023.
The Housing Finance Agency Act 1981, as amended, facilitates lending by the Housing Finance Agency (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 TU sector as one of a range of possible mechanisms to address increased supply of student accommodation.
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.
