Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 May 2024
11. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is putting in place to alleviate the student accommodation crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23173/24]
View answerThe challenge facing students in accessing appropriate student accommodation is an issue which Government and I are actively addressing under Housing for All.
I am progressing a new policy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation.
Last month the Taoiseach and I announced the investment of €100m in additional National Development Plan funding under a short term activation initiative for delivery of over 1,000 additional student beds with the University sector, which had been stalled due to cost viability, . This allocation will activate Phase 1 of UCD’s project for delivery of 493 beds in addition to Maynooth University’s 116 bed project to construction and DCU’s 405 bed project through tender stage.
The long term student accommodation policy was approved by Government in January. This includes measures for increasing supply of student accommodation, reducing cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, and promoting efficient use of existing housing stock while supporting balanced regional development.
My officials and the HEA are working intensively on options proposals from the TU sector. This process includes engagement with local authorities on potential refurbishment projects and new build proposals. An initial assessment report is expected from the HEA by end May, outlining the next phase of the proposal development.
The government has also extended measures under the Rent a room scheme to increase supply for students, including an income disregard for SUSI and medical card eligibility and expansion for local authority tenants to participate in the scheme for students.
Since its establishment in April 2022, just over €32 million has been dispersed to ATU for various projects including the Devolved Capital Grant. In addition under TU Landscape and Development Fund, ATU has been allocated a total of €31.4m. Under the European Regional Development Fund a further €19.6m has been allocated to ATU as part of the TU Rise Programme to 2027.
