Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
374. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the work of his Department towards enabling the delivery of student accommodation. [70846/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn advance of the new Student Accommodation Strategy, my immediate priority has been to increase the supply of purpose-built student accommodation and ensure affordability for students from priority groups. Under the Short-Term Activation Programme, the initial target was to deliver circa 1,000 additional student beds. Following due diligence and value-for-money assessments, the revised total now stands at 967 beds that have either been delivered or are progressing.
Maynooth University has successfully completed its 116-bed project. University College Dublin is advancing its 493-bed development, with approval to proceed to construction given in September 2025. Trinity College Dublin’s 358-bed project is also progressing this year. These developments will provide additional capacity in the short term. The Dublin City University 405-bed project will not be progressed at this time, reflecting cost and value-for-money considerations.
In parallel, the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme, or TSSAP, is supporting technological universities to expand student accommodation. Phase 1, completed in 2025, generated 53 strategic proposals for future developments, while Phase 2, starting in early 2026, will develop preliminary business cases, including financial and operational models. This will ensure that future projects are strategically aligned, financially viable, and responsive to local demand.
The Student Accommodation Strategy 2025–2035 will prioritise increasing supply and improving affordability for students facing the greatest financial challenges.
The Strategy will provide a clear framework to expand provision nationwide and ensure student housing is sustainable, accessible, and responsive to need over the next decade. It will separately address affordability through supports such as Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) and targeted bursaries, and viability through private investment and state support to deliver high-quality, purpose-built accommodation at scale.
