Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 July 2020
178. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide relief to third-level students that may lose deposits on student accommodation as a result of a switch to remote learning for the academic year 2020/2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19242/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 22nd July the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science published a three-pillar series of guides for returning to on-site learning in 2020/2021 which will provide guidance and support for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in their planning for the new academic year. However ultimately HEIs are autonomous institutions and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. Decisions on the balance between online and on-site learning will be made by each institution, in line with public health advice, and arrangements will vary between institutions and between courses. The HEIs will communicate the arrangements for the new academic year to students as soon as these arrangements have been finalised. Questions on arrangements for a specific institution or course should be directed to the institution in question.
Student accommodation license terms including cost, duration, refund and cancellation policies should be set out in the license agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. While I would hope that accommodation providers would show flexibility to students in the current times, agreements between students and accommodation providers are a private matter, and neither I nor my Department have any remit to issue instructions in relation to the private rental market.
