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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 6

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

317 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether rents and accommodation costs for students have more than doubled in the last few years; and if he will review and increase third level grants in view of these circumstances. [5184/00]

It is generally accepted that students are experiencing difficulties in finding good affordable accommodation. This difficulty is a subset of the general housing shortage which has been growing in recent years and is particularly acute in Dublin.

In recognition of the difficulties being encountered by students and following consultation with third level colleges, the Government has introduced special tax incentives to encourage the provision of student rented residential accommodation in the 1999 Finance Act. These incentives are intended to increase the availability of dedicated student housing and represent a targeted response to the underlying issue of an accommodation shortage, rather than an across the board increase in grant levels which, at a considerable cost, would have no direct impact on helping students to compete in the rented accommodation sector.

The availability of tax incentives in the past resulted in the provision of a significant number of student residences. As the tax relief will be available for expenditure up to 31 March 2003 the opportunity exists to create significant additional accommodation for third level students. As indicated in the programme for prosperity and fairness, the Government will be evaluating the impact of these tax incentives and will consider further action in the light of the results of the evaluation.

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