Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
1031. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of a huge crisis in student accommodation in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13567/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of and actively addressing the difficulties faced by students in accessing affordable student accommodation. Fundamentally the challenge of affordable student accommodation is one of supply of housing more generally, and the impact of the global economy on the cost of construction.
To assist with the shortage of accommodation for our students, on 29 November 2022, I secured Government approval to develop both short and medium term policy responses to activate supply of affordable student accommodation.
These landmark policy responses will, for the first time, see the state providing financial support for the construction of student accommodation, and underpins the policy commitments set out in Housing for All and the National Access Plan. They will ensure increased availability of and promote greater access to student accommodation, in particular for disadvantaged students.
To date our Government has approved funding support to develop nearly 1,100 additional state supported accommodation for students across a number of universities. These developments have or will imminently have planning permission but have stalled as a result of increased construction costs.
In parallel, longer term policy development is being advanced to examine a broader range of methods to increase supply of student accommodation. Support of €1m is being provided to our Technological Universities (TUs) to conduct a needs assessment and to identify appropriate regional activation responses. The funding will provide consultancy support to undertake a cohesive and regional focused feasibility study for each TU.
I am aware of the accommodation referred to in Cork by the Deputy. This is a privately owned and operated accommodation unit, which is under going planned refurbishment. I am conscious that this will in the short term reduce availability at this development for students.
I can confirm that UCC has recently opened applications for the new PBSA at the Crow’s Nest site for the 2023/2024 academic year. This development is located at the junction of Victoria Cross and Carrigrohane Road and consists of 255 new beds. These beds are in addition to the 1361 beds currently on campus in UCC. UCC are also actively engaging with my officials to examine options for the provision of additional supply of student accommodation in Cork city.
While there is no on-campus purpose built student accommodation within the Munster Technological University currently, there are private developments under construction in the vicinity. In addition the feasibility study being undertaken will identify key accommodation needs and
Table 1 attached provides an overview of all PBSA developments on site of with planning permission in Cork.
My officials and I are reviewing a range measures to stimulate supply of accommodation for our students, including the identification and reuse of vacant premises which may be particularly suitable for regional locations. We are also examining the expansion of the Capital Devolved Grant to provide assistance for the development or refurbishment of student accommodation.
All higher education institutions continue to support their students to find accommodation in the private rental sector through, for example, the encouragement of room rental or ‘student digs’ in family homes. A homeowner can rent a room, retain their social welfare entitlements where applicable, and earn up to €14,000 in rental income before having to pay tax.
