Mr. Eamonn Dunican:

Initially, we are going at it as a two-pronged attack. There will be short-term activation measures and as Mr. Moynes said in his opening address, there was €100 million in capital in the recent NDP windfall. That has gone to support over 1,000 beds. We have Maynooth on site with 116 beds, we have UCD hoping to go to tender with more than 490 beds and we expect that before the end of the year and then there is DCU, which is being retendered, with another 405 beds. Our departmental support in that space is contingent on 30% of the beds remaining below market value. We are on a tightrope in this space, as state aid rules prevent us providing funding. The agreement we have got is that 30% of beds must be retained for disadvantaged students below market rates. Ours is a support role to the institutions and that is what it will have to be.

Those are the short-term activation measures. We also have a TU feasibility study out there supported by €7.5 million in budget 2025, with €6 million of that going towards options for leasing, refurbishment, vacancy and purchase if there is suitable accommodation close to or near the campus. Phase one of that feasibility study kicked off last year, looking at that demand and supply and then options came back in to the HEA - the HEA is leading out on this for the Department - around the types of options. There is a challenge within the regions. Dublin is better served. For the regions this is a struggle. Therefore, what are the options available? Leasing will probably be a big element. As I said, €6 million of recurrent funding was guaranteed in the most recent budget. Phase two of that study is developing.