Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
100. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if University of Limerick has acquired floors at a location (details supplied) for the purposes of developing student accommodation and-or academic facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49820/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the University was granted planning permission to convert the top four floors of the building which you have referred to into a 96-bed student accommodation block. This has not progressed to date.
I have recently published the new Student Accommodation Strategy. As part of expanding supply the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme has been expanded to include Traditional Universities such as University of Limerick. The new programme known as the Higher Education Institution Student Accommodation Programme is being rolled out supported by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA). This programme will enable Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to have access to increased PBSA beds by supporting private developers to build PBSA on or near campus through a combination of nomination agreements, licensed sites and site servicing.
The programme is being rolled out in phases starting with Dublin, Galway & Cork and Limerick will be included in the next phase.
University of Limerick are currently developing their new five-year Strategic Plan and are consulting with all stakeholders to inform the plan for the further development of the University. The University expects to launch its new Strategic Plan later this year.
As it stands University of Limerick currently has 2,934 student beds. Planning has been granted for 2,225 beds and commencement notices have issued for 511 beds. As at the end of June, 2026 our Higher Education Institutions’ in Limerick advertised 364 digs accommodations beds.
