Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do indeed. I am delighted to praise the University of Galway, which the Senator mentioned a number of times. When others felt the need to mothball student accommodation projects, Galway ploughed on. Fair enough, the students union has views on how it could be done better, but great credit is due to the management team and governing authority for ploughing on and delivering 674 more beds this year. We are working closely with them on a project to deliver 200 more beds.

I welcome the Senator’s comments on the rent-a-room or digs scheme. The survey of 22,801 students found that approximately 19% – almost one in five – of those living away from home were living in digs under the rent-a-room scheme. It is working for many people.