Student Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022

Thursday, 8 September 2022

Ceisteanna (1358)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

1358. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that higher education institutions which have on-campus accommodation refund in full deposits for accommodation paid by applicants who subsequently may not be able to take up the offer of accommodation due to a college placement elsewhere or failure to obtain a particular college placement at that time, and also taking into account the delayed leaving certificate results and offers of college places, given the increasing costs of living and rising accommodation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44170/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Higher education institutions (HEIs) legislated for under the Universities Act 1997 and the Technological Universities Act 2018 remain autonomous institutions responsible for their own day-to-day operations, including any relevant accommodation provision, management and administration. 

As such fees, deposits or administration fees charged for the booking of HEI provided accommodation and associated refund policies are matters for the individual HEI in question and neither I, as Minister, or my Department has a function or role in such matters. 

Furthermore, my Department understands that deposit and refund policies vary between relevant HEIs with at least one institution requiring no advance deposit or booking fee, a number of institutions offer full refunds including if students are not offered a course of study at the particular institution and several offer partial refunds within specific timeframes with a small number charging non-refundable application fees, deposits or administration charges of between €50 –€100.

I would encourage all HEIs to use their best efforts to ensure maximum flexibility in favour of prospective students in operating their relevant charging and refund policies for student accommodation given the pertaining circumstances and particular timings at play in relation to the forthcoming academic year.