Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
71. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the detail the plans to provide affordable student accommodation across the country to address the accommodation crisis. [14647/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the new Student Accommodation Strategy, which is in development, my focus will be on increasing the supply of student accommodation to benefit both students, and to free up private rental homes.
I will focus on a combination of digs accommodation, an examination of vacant property, and the development and leasing of purpose-built student accommodation.
I will also examine sustainable transport alternatives to accommodation close to campus.
The objectives of the Strategy are to:
• increase the supply of state supported student accommodation
• reduce the cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance
• promote efficient use of existing building stock through refurbishment and an examination of vacancy
• support balanced regional development through the Technological University (TU) Student Accommodation Programme
• promote digs accommodation
The outcome of the Standardised Design Study and the Technological University Student Accommodation Programme will provide a framework of delivery models and funding options to inform the new Strategy.
The reports from these studies are expected early this year and it is my intention to deliver the Strategy in Q2 2025.
