Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
95. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline his interactions with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in 2023 regarding the shortage of student accommodation. [1919/24]
View answerThe strategic alignment of policy between my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), is imperative in realising the commitments we have set out in Housing for All and in addressing supply of accommodation specifically to meet the needs of our higher education students and mitigate pressures on rental accommodation.
Engagement has been ongoing throughout 2023 between officials from both Departments and at Ministerial level on a range of measures that underpin this policy approach and on related housing matters. Indeed, Minister O’Brien will be present for the launch of the new Accommodation Policy tomorrow in DCU.
Minister O’Brien and I also brought a joint proposal to Government to develop design standards for new Purpose Built Student Accommodation.
DHLGH officials have worked to support my officials from the outset on this project and will be key members of the working group as the project progresses throughout 2024.
My officials continue to engage with DHLGH in relation to the refurbishment of vacant property, which forms an important strand of the student accommodation longer term policy. Local Authorities are currently gathering data on vacant properties in their functional areas. This data can be used to report on vacancy levels and to identify prospective properties for refurbishment.
My Department Officials participated on the DHLGH’s Cost Rental Viability Measure working group, which met monthly. This close engagement has assisted in alignment of approaches to development of state supported accommodation schemes.
My Department is actively engaged with DHLGH regarding the Rent a Room scheme income disregards for social housing tenants to enable them to participate in the scheme. My Department also meets regularly with the Residential Tenancies Board regarding rental protections and the provision of information and research to inform policy.
This engagement will continue with the aim of progressing policy priorities for the Department.
