Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
126. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on progress that is being made at Limerick’s third level campuses to provide additional student accommodation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1991/24]
View answerThe University of Limerick (UL) is the only HEI in Limerick with on-campus accommodation of 2,934 beds. Mary Immaculate College (MIC), who are academically linked to UL provide an additional 136 Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) beds.
For the current academic year an additional 83 PBSA beds have been delivered in Limerick. The latest data available from Building Information Ireland indicates that within Limerick, 658 PBSA beds have been granted planning permission, with a further 96 beds applied for by UL awaiting planning decision.
To date, I have secured Government approval in principle for up to €61m in capital and current funding to unlock the development of circa 1,000 beds, across four universities. A proposal from UL to deliver 202 new beds is currently undergoing due diligence assessment in line with the Public Spending Code.
On Tuesday I secured Government support for the Student Accommodation Long Term Policy which I will launch tomorrow in DCU. This policy approach sets out a range of measures to increase the supply of accommodation.
To inform this policy, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) appointed consultants to undertake a TU Feasibility Study. Phase one assessed supply and demand across the higher education and technological university sectors. Phase two will design a framework and delivery mechanisms for student accommodation in the TU sector, including TUS.
My Department is also supporting measures to increase the availability of “digs” accommodation which can provide a suitable solution for some students. As of 30th December 2023, HEIs estimated that there were approximately 203 available rooms for students across UL, TUS, and MIC.
