Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
152. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of student accommodation units that are now under construction and owned by third level institutions; the details of location of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49818/26]
View answerI thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. There are over 49,200 purpose-built student accommodation beds nationally. About two-thirds in private ownership, while our higher education institutions provide more than 15,600 beds. The following chart shows the location of institution owned accommodation.
Publicly owned PBSA beds 2025/26
|
Institution |
Total Available Beds |
|
SETU Waterford |
426 |
|
University of Galway |
1,882 |
|
DCU |
1,443 |
|
UCC |
1,534 |
|
TCD |
1,834 |
|
UL |
2,934 |
|
Maynooth University* |
1,262 |
|
UCD |
4,187 |
|
MIC |
146 |
|
Totals |
15,648 |
* 116 Short Term Activation Programme (STAP) beds included in 1,262
The first Short-Term Activation Programme (STAP) project was completed at Maynooth University, delivering 116 new beds for the 2025/26 academic year. At University College Dublin, a major 493 bed development is now on site and Trinity College Dublin’s 358 bed development at Dartry is progressing to gate 2.
As of the end of May 2026 nationwide, commencement notice have issued for 3,504 Student beds while a further 13,979 beds have planning permission granted. Additionally, planning permission has been applied for another 1,782 student beds.
