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Student Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 September 2021

Thursday, 23 September 2021

Ceisteanna (305)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

305. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the most recent meeting of the Working Group on Student Accommodation; the details of the immediate supports planned to tackle the student accommodation crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45926/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Interdepartmental Working Group on Student Accommodation last met on 30th June. The key issues discussed were the progress made on actions outlined in the National Student Accommodation Strategy, and a discussion of the planned Residential Tenancies (No.2) Act and its impact on student accommodation.

The Act was subsequently passed on July 9th. It restricts 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.

Housing For All, the Government's recently announced plan for housing, contains a commitment to support technological universities to develop purpose-built student accommodation where such a requirement exists, through access to appropriate financing, and a specific action in relation to legislating to allow for Technological Universities to borrow from the Housing Finance Agency. My officials and I will continue to work with colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advance this.

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