Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It is very badly needed. SETU is a particular example in that it functions as the university for the south east. We do not have a second option. On the make-up of the 30% at below market rates, the term "cost rental" is thrown around to such a degree that it is difficult to understand what it actually means. I have heard it applied to purpose-built student accommodation. I do not know what cost rental means in that situation because the model is so different. We are talking about what are essentially nine-month tenancies and looking at what is to be done with these units over the summer. They will not be sitting empty over the summer. The whole model of tenancy in respect of purpose-built student accommodation is quite different. Is the term "cost rental" appropriate to use in these cases? Is that what we are talking about when we refer to the 30%? Does it apply more generally? How do we set this 30%? When we say 30% of rooms are offered at below market rates, how do we set the price below market rates?