Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)

Some of my colleagues referenced the No Room for Learning report from the students’ union at the Technological University of the Shannon, titled such because there are many demands around accommodation.

I am sure their findings are reflected across the country in all the different colleges. Many students are commuting and not by choice. Many are working part time and up to 30 hours a week. Their studies are being adversely affected by this and they are dropping out in some cases because of tiredness either from the commuting or the working. An increased number of students are choosing courses based on location rather than what they want to do. My own son said to me there is no point in him looking to go to Dublin to study because he will not be able to get accommodation. That is not correct. It should not be the case. It is something very serious that we need to address.

The standard and quality of student accommodation has come up as well. It can be quite poor. Who is responsible for inspections for accommodation? Is it the local authority, as with the ordinary private rental market? I ask that with regards to college-based accommodation and in the private market as well. Planning given for student accommodation was mentioned and how change of use should not be allowed but that has happened before where student accommodation has been built, exorbitant rents were charged, nobody takes up the accommodation, and then they claim there is no demand so they need a change of use. Are there protections in place to prevent that happening now?