Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
581. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the date his new Student Accommodation Strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4071/24]
View answerThe first National Student Accommodation Strategy was launched in July 2017 and runs to the end of 2024. I recently received Government approval for the long-term student accommodation policy and methodology. The aim of this policy is to increase the supply of student accommodation and to examine alternative solutions that will remove accommodation as a barrier to higher education. Through this policy;
• The Government will fund the delivery of purpose built student accommodation;
• A call for proposals for accommodation projects for Technological Universities will open;
• Vacant properties will be repurposed into housing for students, including properties on college owned lands;
• Standardised design will reduce the cost of construction and increase the pace of delivery;
• Improved public transport will be explored for students;
• Continued support of the digs scheme with local authority and medical card changes coming into effect.
This long-term policy will inform the future student accommodation strategy which will be developed throughout 2024.
