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

Again, the business case for all these purpose-built student accommodation units allows for their usage over those number of months. It is a period of three or four months. It is actually more in some cases because one must take into account the Christmas period as well. Such accommodation is used by other students coming into the country from the higher education sector and other people who avail of our education facilities. Yes, in some cases Airbnb is used, but that is what they are there for. This is monitored through the planning system and controlled. The developers make applications through An Bord Pleanála and the local authorities and they must detail their full plans for those premises. It is not the same as providing housing for other families or for single people. This is specifically student accommodation, not permanent homes. Students' needs are a little different from everyone else's needs. The Deputy says we should build more homes for others. We are doing that as well. This is one section, one category. We are trying to approach this in many different ways and, again, the figures will show this is freeing up rental properties that are more suitable for others. There is no doubt about that. Naturally, given the changes made recently in the budget by the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, we are trying to direct investment to other areas of residential accommodation and make that more affordable and more attractive. Many of the issues the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, deals with seek to encourage investment into other forms of accommodation for single men and other people who need that as well. There is activity there too, but this is specifically about student accommodation. It is a key area we have identified and we must provide more student accommodation.

12 o’clock

First, they want it, but we also want to have it to free up other properties. On the issues around the communities, in most cases, in any of the new accommodation that is being built, there are good reports about student interaction with the communities. They have been asked to do it and that interaction with communities is being addressed in any of the planning applications.

See this speech in context