Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
136. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the supply of affordable on campus accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25247/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the difficulties faced by students in relation to obtaining affordable accommodation.
Fundamentally the underlying issue is one of the supply of housing generally and that there is a need to increase the supply of all types of accommodation including student accommodation. That is why Government launched Housing for All led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage which sets out a series of actions which will be delivered to address the housing crisis backed by a transformative budget of €20 billion.
There are no easy answers to increasing supply in the immediate term. Current construction costs are acting as a deterrent to institutions in proceeding with new developments. My Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are continuing to consider the potential of a number of interventions to support increased supply within affordable rental levels.
I have also written recently to all universities, technological universities and institutes of technology asking them to identify any potential local solutions, including the repurposing of existing buildings, which could contribute to increased supply ahead of the next academic year.
My Department understands that there were 970 new higher education institution-owned purpose built student accommodation bed spaces completed in the past two years, with work underway on site on a further 929. As of December 2021, there were approximately 14,500 PBSA bed-spaces owned by higher education institutions. The Irish University Association reports a further 3,500 beds either under construction or in planning.
On affordability, restrictions have also been put in place to limit the amount that students can be required to pay up front for their accommodation, ending the practice whereby students were required to pay a lump sum up front each term. The total amount that anyone is required to pay to a landlord by way of a deposit or an advance rent payment to secure a tenancy to no more than the equivalent of 2 months’ rent- that is one month’s rent, and one month’s deposit. In addition, student accommodation is subject to Rent Pressure Zone caps and students now have recourse to the Residential Tenancies Board in terms of dispute resolution.
