Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
101. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has undergone any research that explores the impact of accommodation (lack of) on student retention rate. [1923/24]
View answerWhere students withdraw from third level education they do so for a variety of reasons, and changes in the progression rate are rarely influenced by a single factor alone.
As part of the Long Term Student Accommodation Policy formulation, a Student Survey was conducted, which had 22,801 responses from current students. This student survey data obtained which will be regularly updated will inform the development of policy and strategies.
Since November 2022, I have secured Government approval in principle for up to €61 million in funding to unlock the development of up to 1,000 new and additional student accommodation beds across four universities. Projects at both Maynooth University, and Dublin City University are already at tender stage for delivery of 521 beds.
This week, I secured Government approval to progress a Long-Term Student Accommodation policy under Housing for All. This policy aims to increase the supply of student accommodation and reduce students’ reliance on private rental accommodation, and ultimately to reduce the barrier that accommodation is presenting in accessing higher education.
The policy targets the development of Purpose Built Student Accommodation, digs accommodation and refurbishment of vacant units. It will also address the cost of construction through development of standardised design templates for student accommodation. Examination of transport links and viable commuting options is also an integral element of the response.
The policy will inform the development of the new Student Accommodation Strategy and associated schemes, which will be further developed throughout 2024 in consultation with Government colleagues and stakeholders.
