Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
413. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science her plans to address the high cost of student accommodation and improve access to affordable housing for third-level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14929/25]
View answerI am conscious that the cost of accommodation can be a challenge for many students and could make the reality of higher education beyond the reach of some. Increasing the supply of student accommodation is a priority for this Government and I. Student reliance on the private market has an impact on overall housing supply; an increase in the provision of student specific accommodation has the added benefit of freeing up beds in the private rental housing market.
A new Student Accommodation Strategy is in development following Government approval of the long-term Policy in January 2024. The Strategy aims to increase supply of state supported student accommodation, reduce the cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, promote efficient use of existing building stock through refurbishment and an examination of vacancy, while supporting balanced regional development through a Technological University (TU) Feasibility Study.
The intention of a TU Feasibility Study is to develop a programmatic approach to facilitate future Technological University student accommodation proposals. The results of this programme will determine what opportunities are available to meet the future demand for student accommodation through either new-build PBSA, leasing, acquisition, refurbishing or redevelopment of existing sites. A number of accommodation delivery mechanisms are being examined.
The Standardised Design Study will be key to establishing best practice and value for money for the State, ensuring affordability of additional supply for students. The TU Feasibility Study is progressing in tandem with the Standardised Design Study for student accommodation, to enable a viable design model for state supported student accommodation based on regional needs and feasibility assessments.
The outcomes of these studies will provide a framework of delivery models and funding options to inform the new Strategy and it is intended that the Strategy will be delivered in Q2 2025.
In advance of the new Strategy, the Government approved a capital investment of €100m from the National Development Plan enable the progression of new purpose-built student accommodation beds through the Department’s Short-Term Activation Plan.
Under this measure funding is provided to higher education institutions to activate projects with planning permission that had stalled due to cost viability challenges. Delivery will commence from the 2025/26 academic year.
A percentage of the new beds will be ringfenced for target group students at below market rates. The target group are those considered most disadvantaged by the SUSI, NAP and DARE schemes.
To assist with an immediate supply of accommodation, my department for the second year, ran a promotional campaign to encourage homeowners to rent a spare room to a student. This traditional form of accommodation can provide a suitable and affordable option for some.
Currently, there are over 3,900 digs beds advertised by our higher education institutions. The 2024 rent-a-room campaign resulted in an increase of approximately 1,800 digs beds advertised by our HEIs. This is an additional 2,500 beds when compared to the same period in 2023.
