Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 October 2025
405. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide the details of students accessing emergency accommodation at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year and the previous three academic years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56090/25]
View answerStudents in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply directly to their HEI for support under the Student Assistance Fund.
Latest figures show that almost €13 million was distributed to students from the Student Assistance Fund to assist with accommodation related costs in the 2023/24 academic year.
In relation to distribution of emergency accommodation in HEIs, I must advise that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997. HEIs are academically independent and are entitled to regulate its own academic affairs and administrative processes including decisions in respect of emergency accommodation.
In advance for the 2024/ 2025 academic year, an additional €440,000 was approved to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) specifically for any student who may find themselves in difficulty arising from their housing situation.
This increased funding to the SAF is intended for assisting students in funding emergency accommodation. However, there will also be discretion to provide funding as per the SAF guidelines for other emergency needs such as transport costs where emergency accommodation is not available to the student.
In addition, all higher education institutions continue to support their students to find accommodation through, for example, the encouragement of room rental or ‘student digs’ in family homes. As of 3rd October, our higher education institutions have indicated there are over 5,200 beds available in digs accommodation nationally.
