Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
110. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035, the number of the 42,000 student accommodation beds projected by 2035 that are anticipated to be delivered in Cork; and the years in which those beds are expected to come on stream;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50293/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with the Presidents of both UCC and MTU and visited both campuses and I am very aware of how the supply and affordability of accommodation is impacting students in Cork and indeed across the country.
Since 2017, there have been 3,684 beds completed in Cork. University College Cork currently has 1,534 student accommodation beds and recent figures show that University College Cork and Munster Technological University are advertising 1,026 rent a room digs beds.
I published the National Student Accommodation Strategy in March which aims to support the viability of Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) projects and increase the supply of student accommodation for full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions. It will address affordability separately by providing for targeted financial supports for those students who need it the most.
A key initiative of the Strategy is the Higher Education Institutions Student Accommodation Programme. The NDFA and the HEA are supporting my department in the development of this programme. This initiative will enable Higher Education Institutions including University College Cork and Munster Technological University to access additional PBSA capacity by facilitating private sector development on or adjacent to campus sites through a combination of nomination agreements, site licensing arrangements, and site servicing.
The Strategy also aims to enhance the supply of student beds through promotion of Rent-a-Room accommodation.In respect of Rent-A-Room/Digs Accommodation research is ongoing, the results of which will inform policy and feed into an advertising campaign during the summer with the aim of promoting an immediate increase in advertised beds.
I can confirm to the Deputy that Cork, Galway and Dublin are included in phase one of the new Higher Education Institution programme. The number of beds that will be delivered in Cork and the specific years in which they will come on stream, will depend on individual project proposals and institutional plans, which are currently being developed. As outlined, collaboration between institutions and the private sector will be of vital importance to increasing additionality.
