Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2025
713. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the implications of a recent decision (details supplied); if the cost of construction is the barrier to the delivery of affordable student accommodation; the steps the Government is taking to support the construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65785/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Short-Term Activation Programme, 609 beds have been delivered or are progressing following value-for-money assessments. These include Maynooth University’s completed 116-bed project, UCD’s 493 bed project now approved for construction, a further 358 bed project at Trinity College Dublin is progressing through the development cycle. The proposed 405-bed project at DCU project will not proceed at this time due to cost and value for money considerations.
The Short-Term Activation Programme was never designed to resolve all of the wider challenges within the student accommodation sector. Because of the programme’s cost-per-bed model, and our focus on achieving strong value for money, some projects simply did not proceed.
The Short Term Activation Programme made real progress, however it did not fully address the broader affordability issues faced by the general student population. Nor did it expand support for housing options outside of purpose-built student accommodation.
The National Student Accommodation Strategy 2025–2035, is a more comprehensive and long-term approach to the issue. Through this Strategy, we will increase supply using a mix of public PBSA, private PBSA, and rent a room. We are also putting in place targeted financial supports that will be available to students regardless of the type of accommodation they live in to assist with affordability.
We are taking further steps to encourage greater private sector involvement, to strengthen the capacity of our higher education institutions to manage accommodation, and to improve affordability through coordinated government action and dedicated student supports.
And importantly, a structured monitoring framework will track progress and delivery across multiyear milestones. This is a long-term commitment, and we will continue to review and adapt our approach as the Strategy develops.
I will publish new National Student Accommodation Strategy in coming weeks.
