Mr. Michael Roche:

I will start with the tiered system of accommodation in the university. When the first phase of the village, which is a type of accommodation offered within the university, was completed, it was financed through private equity. During the fitting out of the building, the university began to offer rooms at silver, gold and platinum levels. Platinum was penthouse level, so if a student was assigned to a higher floor, he or she was charged more. The point that I have continually made is that in May, a design guide for State-sponsored student accommodation was released which did not specifically mention banning tiered systems of accommodation like those we currently have in the university. As the second phase of the village begins, with nearly €70 million of taxpayer's money, we have no guarantee that there is not going to be a penthouse financed by the taxpayer within that accommodation. Frankly, it is farcical.

The situation within UCD is quite difficult. We have the most accommodation but we also have the most expensive accommodation, and the condition of it can be quite problematic. We have students coming to us - and I made it a feature of my campaign - who have issues with black mould in their accommodation in the university. We have also seen rodents, both mice and rats, around the accommodation. I have a video of a personal friend of mine and me trying to sweep a mouse out of the house. If committee members would find that enlightening, I can send it on to them. It is a deteriorating situation within the university. We have no guarantees regarding the second phase of the village, despite the €70 million in taxpayer funding.

Regarding the cost, it is a partnership between the university and the Government. The university is paying roughly half and the Government is paying the other half, but €250,000 per bedroom on land one already owns is simply ridiculous in my estimation.