Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The principle is that we are all in this together. Many, but not all, providers of student accommodation have done the right thing during this pandemic. It is clear that many others have opted out of doing that. The problem is that they are opting in to the supports. Some supports are structured in terms of companies that have people working for them in accommodation, and are being subsidised by up to €410 by taxpayers who are the mothers and fathers of those students that have been shafted by providers. Many providers are able to defer paying their taxes by a number of months because of issues with Revenue.

I agree with Deputy Naughten. We have to make it very clear, in words and otherwise, that this is not acceptable. If we are all in this together, then students who had to fork out a fortune for student accommodation that is not being used must be refunded. Some of the accommodation has been sublet. We need to examine how we can tell providers that, if we are all in this together, they will not get support payments if they will not play the game with students.

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