Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious of the challenges faced by students regarding student accommodation this year due to both financial pressures and the blended learning format of the 2020-21 academic year, which Deputy Conway-Walsh rightly mentioned. Responding to these issues is a significant matter of concern for me and my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, and we are examining how accommodation providers can be encouraged to show greater flexibility to students during this challenging time.

The Deputy acknowledged that the university sector is engaging with these issues. Following the decision to minimise on-site teaching, five of the seven universities have confirmed that students who do not wish to proceed with their booking in university-owned student accommodation can cancel it without charge, while those who opt to leave their accommodation will receive refunds. I am awaiting confirmation of the policies of the remaining two, Trinity College and Dublin City University, DCU, but have made it very clear in meetings with the representative bodies of universities and institutes of technology, in the presence of student representatives, that the Government's position is that university-owned accommodation refunds should be provided. I am aware that DCU has adopted a flexible model whereby students can book and pay for accommodation for a number of days and nights rather than a full semester, which seems to be an intelligent way to do it. I also understand that at DCU, in cases where students paid a deposit but chose not to take up the accommodation, they will have the deposit refunded in full. I will continue to liaise with the sector through the Irish Universities Association to encourage the availability of fair solutions for students in university-owned student accommodation.

For students in the private rental market, I am urging providers to be flexible in finding solutions given the circumstances that students find themselves in. There are, however, no powers directly available to me under the current legal framework for private accommodation. Refund or cancellation policies in student accommodation should be set out in the licence agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year and, in the first instance, students should engage with their accommodation provider to try to reach an arrangement. I have asked my Department to continue to engage with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government to monitor and report to me on developments and further actions that could be taken.

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