Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
749. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress of supporting higher education institutions in developing on campus student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53522/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the first time, the State is investing in student accommodation to help address the sector’s viability and housing shortage. Under my Department's Short-Term Activation Programme (STAP) €100 million in capital funding has been approved to support stalled university accommodation projects.
I officially opened Maynooth University’s 116-bed project on the 8th of September, with these beds available to students for the current academic year.
On the 5th of September, I announced the allocation of €67 million in state funding under the STAP to enable University College Dublin to enter contract for the delivery of 493 new student accommodation beds.
The Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme (TSSAP) is progressing in tandem with the STAP, the purpose of which is to assess Higher Education Institution proposals for student accommodation projects on, or near, each of their main campus locations.
Stage 1 of the TSSAP involved the submission of strategic assessment documents. Higher Education Institutions submitted proposals exploring a range delivery models including purpose-built student accommodation both on and off campus, leasing, joint ventures, and repurposing of vacant or derelict properties.
The second phase involves the development and assessment of the initial preliminary business cases (PBC) comprising of a PBC narrative, financial model, economic model and a multi-criteria analysis model.
The TSSAP will align with all criteria outlined within the Infrastructure Guidelines Process with regards evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects. Projects for progression under Stage 2 will align with this process, ensuring that locations are chosen based on strategic fit, feasibility, and alignment with national policy objectives.
In addition, my Department is developing the new student accommodation strategy which is due for completion in Q4 this year. The strategy will aim to enable viability measures to increase the supply of student accommodation and to provide measures to address affordability for students facing the greatest socioeconomic challenges.
