asked the Minister for Education the attitude of his Department to the provision of hostel accommodation for students on and off the campus at the NIHE and Thomond College, Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Limerick College.
97.
In accordance with the policy of successive Governments my Department do not wish to get involved in the provisions of student hostel accommodation in third level institutions. The view is that any available finances should go towards providing much needed additional places in third level education rather than using funds on hostel accommodation. The Department would be prepared to consider on its merits a proposal from NIHE and TCE for the provision of self-financing student hostel accommodation on or off the plassey campus, providing that it catered for the needs of the students of both institutions and was supported by both of them. The Department would, however, prefer to see accommodation for the students in NIHE and ICE provided by private interests off the Plassey campus with the general support of both institutions and in co-operation with them.