Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1567. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reasons for the delays in publishing progress reports on the National Student Accommodation Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13307/24]
View answerThe first National Student Accommodation Strategy was launched in July 2017. It runs until 2024, with a target of 21,000 additional PBSA beds to be delivered. Achievement of this target has been impacted by subsequent events including Brexit, Covid-19 and the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
As of February 2024, supply figures indicate that 14,599 purpose built student beds have been built since 2017. Of these, an additional 1,021 publicly funded beds were completed in 2023, 674 in UG, 80 in UL, 9 in TCD, 3 in MIC and 255 in UCC. In addition, 459 private beds were completed. The total level of stock stands at over 48,000.
Work is underway on site on an additional 2,090 bed spaces while planning permission has been obtained for a further 11,836 beds. It should be noted that this number could include projects where planning was granted but the project never progressed further than that or may be on hold. Planning applications in respect of a further 1,441 beds have been sought.
Housing for All was launched in September 2021 which called for the development of short-term state supports to activate construction of Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as well as development of a policy and methodology for potential long-term state support for the construction of PBSA to provide additionality for targeted cohorts.
As you are aware, I received Government approval for the long-term student accommodation policy and methodology in January. 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 rent-a-room scheme with local authority and medical card changes coming into effect.
This long-term policy will inform the revised student accommodation strategy which will be developed and published in 2024.
