Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
241. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the outcomes of the various student accommodation programmes he has initiated, including the student accommodation strategy, to date, and how these investments are improving affordability and regional balance in higher-education provision. [67828/25]
View answerIn advance of the new Student Accommodation Strategy, our immediate priority has been to increase the supply of purpose-built student accommodation and ensure affordability for students from priority groups. Under the Short-Term Activation Programme, the initial target was to deliver over 1,000 additional student beds. Following due diligence and value-for-money assessments, the revised total now stands at 967 beds that have either been delivered or are progressing.
Maynooth University has successfully completed its 116-bed project. University College Dublin is advancing its 493-bed development, with approval to proceed to construction given in September 2025. Trinity College Dublin’s project is progressing towards tender stage this year. These developments will provide additional capacity in the short term. The Dublin City University 405-bed project will not be progressed at this time, reflecting cost and value-for-money considerations.
In parallel, the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme, or TSSAP, is supporting technological universities to expand student accommodation. Phase 1, completed in 2025, generated 53 strategic proposals for future developments, while Phase 2 will develop preliminary business cases, including financial and operational models. This will ensure that future projects are strategically aligned, financially viable, and responsive to local demand.
I will publish the new Student Accommodation Strategy 2025–2035 shortly. It will prioritise increasing supply and enhancing affordability for students facing the greatest financial challenges.
