Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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The position on old-fashioned digs is welcome. There is a tax initiative on it worth up to €14,000. It is the same as for renting a room. I am not too sure how it is working out in the areas around the colleges. I hope, based on Dr. O'Reardon's response, that there is a take-up. That would be welcome in terms of using a lot of empty space, especially that owned by those whose families may have moved out and who may have two or three spare bedrooms that can be used.

I want to focus specifically on the issue of new accommodation. Dr. O'Reardon mentioned the effort to ascertain where accommodation is needed. Students where I am living are encountering huge problems in Galway and Waterford and with the three main universities in Dublin, namely, DCU, Trinity and UCD. There is a problem everywhere and there is demand everywhere. While the other initiatives are welcome, we have to fund. I would like to see a bigger fund. We have €506 million, which is welcome. According to Government figures, that would provide 3,665 units. These would make a big impact in the areas around universities.

A number of things are happening in tandem with what I have described. We do have some vacant office space. Although I cannot say for certain, there may be opportunities to rework some vacant spaces, using the capital funding. What I am trying to get at from a public accounts point of view is the question of how we can, if we have the money, get the biggest return from it. Are there opportunities? New builds are fine but they are expensive and can be hard to get up and running, but if it has be done, it has to be done. What work is being done on remodelling or repurposing vacant office space close to universities? What work is being done to obtain expressions of interest in the development of this accommodation? The Government supplies the money. We have argued with Governments on this subject and over the shortage of accommodation. There is money available now. If there is more, bring it on. The more, the better. What exactly has the Department been doing since the announcements? Delivery is critical to increasing participation and sustaining participation for middle- and low-income households, particularly from my neck of the woods and other places, including the Border and midlands region, where you do not have a university on your doorstep or within commuting distance.