Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
2608. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of purpose built student accommodation bed spaces available for students with disabilities, the number of students that requested such spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1522/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the guidelines on Residential Developments for 3rd Level Student, developments should design a minimum of one out of every fifty, or part thereof, of the total number of bedspaces for students with disabilities. These rooms shall be fully wheelchair accessible complete with ensuite bathroom facilities. These guidelines can be found here www.gov.ie/en/publication/12f64e-guidelines-on-residential-developments-for-3rd-level-students/.
The Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations (2022) and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document (TGD) M – Access and Use (2022), set out the minimum statutory requirements that a building must achieve in respect of access and use by disabled persons. Part M of the regulations applies to public buildings and the common areas of apartment blocks.
Part M aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. While the Part M requirements may be regarded as a statutory minimum level of provision, the accompanying technical guidance encourages building owners and designers to have regard to the design philosophy of universal design and to consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate. The TGDs are available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/78e67-technical-guidance-document-m-access-and-use/. The design of purpose built student accommodation shall take these requirements and guidance into account.
Since 2011, housing for disabled people has been addressed in a dedicated joint Strategy between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Department of Health. A new National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 was launched in January 2022. The vision of the strategy is to facilitate disabled people to live independently with the appropriate choices and control over where, how and with whom they live, promoting their inclusion in the community. The strategy is available to read at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d76-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027/.
Regarding the allocation of these beds, please be advised that Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Technological Universities Act 2018 and the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006. Under this legislation the institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes, including the allocation of student accommodation. It is not within the remit of the Minister or the Department to intervene in these internal affairs.
