Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
233. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2025 to 2035 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67564/25]
View answerThe National Student Accommodation Strategy 2025–2035 is expected to be submitted to Government in the coming weeks, with publication anticipated very shortly afterwards. The Strategy sets out a vision to make higher education more accessible and sustainable by addressing accommodation affordability and viability.
By providing targeted financial supports to students and accelerating the development of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), the Strategy removes barriers that prevent students from pursuing their academic goals while strengthening Ireland’s knowledge economy. It aims to deliver additional student beds by 2035, using a combination of PBSA, Rent-a-Room schemes, and private-sector investment, without increasing reliance on the broader rental market.
The Strategy addresses delivery challenges by reforming rent laws, adjusting VAT, and introducing streamlined design standards under the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025, creating a stable, attractive environment for investment supported by investment through the National Development Plan.
Affordability is supported through strengthened financial assistance, including the Student Non-Adjacent Maintenance Grant, ensuring equitable access for students from disadvantaged or remote backgrounds. Progress will be measured through annual reporting by Higher Education Institutions, tracking PBSA completions, Rent-a-Room participation, and student support levels, while an Inter-Departmental Implementation Group will review overall delivery every three years to ensure the Strategy’s targets remain relevant and are met.
