Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021
50. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the substantial increase in on-campus accommodation costs for higher education institutes for the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36801/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraLegislation was brought in in 2019 to ensure that students would have the same affordability measures as tenants within Rent Pressure Zones. I am aware of the increases in accommodation fees in some Higher Education Institutions for the 2021 academic year and I am disappointed that they have sought to increase prices for students during the midst of a public health and an economic crisis.
Affordability must be a key pillar in the student accommodation sector and my Department has been working with the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government on measures to ensure greater affordability of student accommodation. Legislation is being progressed which will restrict the up-front payments required to secure accommodation, including student accommodation, to no more than the equivalent of two months’ rent, and limit payments thereafter to on month’s rent at a time. At present this legislation is passing through the Oireachtas, and it is intended for it to be enacted in time for the beginning of the new academic year.
This legislation was discussed with stakeholders in the sector at most recent meeting of the Working Group on Student Accommodation, and affordability will continue to be one of the key topics of discussion in future meetings.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has also recently received Government approval for the reform and extension of the Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) model. Key provisions are set to be inserted into the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021, published on 17 June, to reform the rent increase restrictions in RPZs. As soon as possible after the enactment of the Residential Tenancies (No.2) Bill 2021, changes to the method of calculating permissible rent increases (if any) in RPZs, will be brought into effect. These changes will also apply to student specific accommodation in RPZs.
