Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It will be no surprise to the Minister that my question relates to accommodation. I will focus on the issue of on-campus accommodation because it is unimaginable that students have been left wondering whether publicly funded institutions will give them refunds for accommodation they are prevented from using. Students secured accommodation based on assurances from the Government and institutes of higher education and, understandably, they believe they have been misled. Some colleges have indicated they will give refunds, which I welcome. I believe University College Cork, the National University of Ireland, Maynooth and the National University of Ireland Galway have stated they will, while others have indicated they will not. Will the Minister update us on which universities he has officially contacted in this regard and on what response he has received?

Since I submitted this question, we have been told we will move to level 5. What will level 5 mean for students and should they expect not to get refunds for accommodation fees? My understanding is that most students will now be prevented from using the accommodation they have paid for.

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