Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2026
203. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the Student Accommodation Implementation Plan which is referenced in the National Student Accommodation Strategy; the details of the implementation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69050/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035 was published in March 2026, establishing a framework to address student accommodation supply, viability and affordability. Work is underway to establish an Interdepartmental Implementation Group to provide oversight and coordination of the Strategy’s implementation. Upon establishment the group will be provided with a long-term implementation plan for consideration which will be aligned with the Strategy's table of actions.
Since publication of the Strategy the focus has been on implementation.
• The Higher Education Institution Student Accommodation Programme (HSAP) has been established, and a programme board has been put in place to oversee implementation
• The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is supporting detailed site assessments and progressing potential on-campus accommodation projects with institutions.
• The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) have supported market engagement with developers to inform programme planning.
• Recent research commissioned by my Department on participation in the Rent-a-Room Relief Scheme informed the "Rethink the Room" communications campaign which I launched ahead of this academic year. The campaign seeks to unlock additional digs accommodation, and more than 5,000 digs beds are now advertised through higher education institutions nationwide.
• Higher education institutions have been requested to prepare institution-specific student accommodation strategies aligned with the Strategy.
• The Short-Term Activation Programme is progressing. 116 beds have already been delivered in Maynooth University. A 493-bed student accommodation development at University College Dublin (UCD) is currently under construction. In addition, I recently approved a 358-bed project at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) to progress to tender stage.
• In the six months since I launched the Strategy, 419 additional private student beds have been delivered. The Higher Education Authority's building information data for August 2026 reports that 2,821 student beds, across both public and private developments, are currently under construction nationwide, with a further 333 beds having recently commenced.
• In respect of affordability my Department published a paper outlining options to reduce the cost of education for students. I will be considering all levers within my control in the context of the upcoming estimates process.
