Cathy Bennett
Ceist:203. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his proposals to ensure adequate provision of accommodation for students. [34825/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 May 2026
Ceisteanna (203)
Freagraí scríofa
Last month I published the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026–2035 The Strategy is available on the government’s website and sets out a pathway to make higher education more accessible by addressing two critical challenges: accommodation supply and viability, and affordability.
Current projections indicate emerging demand for approximately 42,000 additional student accommodation beds over the next decade, underscoring the scale of the challenge and opportunity.
To address supply and viability, the Strategy sets out a balanced approach including:
• A commitment to long-term State-backed measures to activate supply, in partnership with the private sector.
• Support for the development of accommodation on public campuses and on private sites near campuses, subject to State Aid clearance.
• The development of a framework to support technological universities to enter nomination agreements with the private sector.
• Expansion of the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme to include traditional universities.
• Enhanced supply of student beds through promotion of Rent-a-Room accommodation.
Engagement has already taken place with the Technological Sector, with proposals to be progressed on a phased basis this year, beginning in major cities and expanding nationwide.
Viability is further supported through reduced VAT on apartment sales, including PBSA, and new rent reset rules providing a three-year protection window reflecting student circumstances.
Since 2017, 16,266 PBSA beds have been completed nationwide, bringing total stock to over 49,200. As of end April 2026, commencement notices had issued for 2,935 beds, with planning permission granted for a further 14,449 beds. Planning applications have been made for an additional 1,246 beds.
As of April 2026, over 4,700 Rent-a-Room student beds were advertised through higher education institutions nationwide.