Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
216. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on student accommodation in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34710/26]
View answerThe new National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035 sets out a pathway to make higher education more accessible by addressing two critical challenges, accommodation supply and viability and accommodation affordability.
The Higher Education Institutions Student Accommodation Programme (HSAP) has been launched and the programme board established. HEI's are gathering the required information to form their Preliminary Business Cases which are due for completion throughout 2026. Initial Market soundings in relation the HSAP will shortly conclude. The programme will be run on a phased basis, Galway is in the first phase together with Dublin and Cork.
Each Higher Education Institution is required to prepare its own student accommodation strategy aligned with the national Strategy, and to report annually on progress and outcomes.
The homeowner room-rental campaign ran again in advance of academic year 2025/26. As of April 2026, over 4,700 rent a room beds were advertised nationwide, including 137 beds in Galway.
The University of Galway opened 674 new student beds at Dunlin Village for the 2023–2024 academic year.
Since 2017, 16,266 PBSA beds have been completed nationwide, bringing total stock to over 49,200. As of April 2026, commencement notices have issued for 2,935 student beds and 14,233 student beds have planning permission.
As of the end of April, 898 privately owned student beds in Galway have planning permission granted. Commencement notices have also issued for 922 Private beds which includes 345 beds under development on Queen Street through private sector investment supported by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund.
