Vol. 554 No. 5
543 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the fact that the level of on-campus accommodation for students attending university here is well below the EU average; if he has considered supplying support to the universities in order to improve the quantity and quality of such accommodation; and his plans to alleviate the annual crisis in student accommodation. [15817/02]
In recognition of the difficulties students can experience in obtaining accommodation and following consultation with third level colleges, a special tax incentive was introduced to encourage the provision of dedicated student residential accommodation in section 50 of the Finance Act, 1999.
In the Finance Act, 2002, the qualifying period of the scheme was extended to 30 September 2005 where an application for planning permission is received by a planning authority by 30 September 2003. Therefore, the opportunity exists to create significant additional accommodation for third level students.
The rent-a-room relief scheme was introduced in the Finance Act, 2001. It allows homeowners to rent out a room in their homes and have rental income up to €7,620 a year tax free. The scheme encourages householders to rent rooms to students.
My Department does not provide direct financial assistance for the provision of student accommodation.
