Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are trying to tackle the housing shortage in many different ways, of which purpose-built student accommodation is a very successful one. The demands of students are slightly different from those of families, who need accommodation all year round. We have had some success in this regard. Purpose-built student accommodation will free up other properties in the rental sector. The planning guidelines were changed and clarified in respect of the use of such accommodation for the three or four months during which it is not in use by students in order to make these projects viable. This is why we see increased delivery of student accommodation. It is more viable to do this now. However, there are also very strict conditions as to what these properties can be used for those three or four months of the year. In the majority of cases they are used by international students coming to avail of facilities over the summer months. In fairness, I think much of the new student accommodation is blending in very well with the communities, and rightly so. This will free up properties. We are achieving what the Deputy wants to achieve. The effect is that the housing lists are coming down. We will see this year's figures in a few weeks' time, and I expect they will show this. However, that is not enough. We must keep going, and part of that is an increased supply of direct-build student accommodation. To be clear, it is not just private developers; there is a greater increase now in the higher education institutes delivering their own plans and proposals. Before An Bord Pleanála today are applications for more than 3,500 units directly by the education players themselves.

See this speech in context