Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1543. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science as to whether the cross-departmental project group to be formed to establish appropriate standards in the delivery of affordable, purpose built student accommodation, to be chaired by his Department, as announced on 17 August 2023 has met, its membership and chair, its progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11642/24]
View answerMy Department is developing of new long term student accommodation policy responses including through standardised design specification templates and costing models to be developed in consultation with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH). The Cost of Construction Study which was published by Minister O’Brien in May 2023, recommends the development of a standardised design specification for purpose built student accommodation.
The objective of the PBSA Standardised Design & Specification Project is to examine international best practice and flexibility of design to inform appropriate standards in the delivery of affordable accommodation. The project will also take into consideration other recommendations from the Cost of Construction Report including but not limited to the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Housing for All sets out the requirement for a significant increase in the use of MMC in public construction projects.
The Standardised Design & Specification project will be key to establishing best practice and value for money for the State and improving affordability of additional supply of student accommodation.
The Standardised Design Oversight Group will oversee and monitor the progress of the PBSA Standardised Design & Specification project. The group is chaired by the Student Accommodation Unit in my Department. Members include officials from my Department's professional and technical team, the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The work of the study will be led by an expert consultant which will be appointed by a public tender process.
The members of the group have had continuous engagement regarding the development of tender documents and a Terms of Reference has been developed for the group.
The request for tenders is due to be published the week commencing the 18th of March. A meeting of the group will be scheduled upon finalisation of this process.
