Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 October 2025
15. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions his Department is undertaking to increase access to student accommodation in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54815/25]
View answerI will publish a new long term student accommodation strategy (2025-2035) later this year, which aims to increase the supply of student accommodation beds.
It will include viability measures to support the development of new accommodation without any additional recourse to the private rental market and affordability supports for priority groups identified under the National Access Plan.
I published the Design Guide for State Sponsored Student Accommodation in June 2025 to support efficient delivery of high-quality, student-focused housing that offers long-term value to the State.
The Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme is progressing and ATU Galway is participating in this programme.
Separately, the University of Galway opened 674 new beds at Dunlin Village for the 2023/2024 academic year, and on Queen Street over 300 new beds are in development by the private sector supported by Ireland Strategic Investment Fund.
To address bed shortages, in September I launched a campaign encouraging homeowners to rent rooms, resulting in a significant increase in listings by colleges.
For the week ending 3rd of October there were over 5,200 ‘digs’ beds advertised by higher education institutions nationwide, with 320 of these beds in Galway. In addition, I am advised that at least 1,122 digs beds have been filled during September countrywide.
On the supply side I have been advised that as of the end of September there were 1,782 privately owned student beds with planning permission in Galway. Additionally, there were 913 private beds at an on-site stage of development in Galway.
