Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
342. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average capital investment required per institution-owned student bed delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28823/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the difficulties faced by students in relation to obtaining affordable accommodation.
There are fundamental underlying issues with housing supply more generally and 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.
The precise information that you request is not held by the Department, but the information below is provided.
To date, university-owned student accommodation has largely been financed by institution borrowing. The recent Current market conditions have changed.
The student accommodation sector is impacted by the same factors impacting the broader housing market and construction costs are acting as a deterrent to institutions in proceeding with new developments.
Department officials are engaging with counterparts in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and through the Cabinet Committee on Housing to explore potential options and approaches on the delivery of an increased supply of affordable student accommodation.
