Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Far be it from me to confirm the diary of the Minister, Deputy Harris, but I am sure he will accede to a request to meet Deputy Murnane O'Connor on this issue. As she is aware, the student accommodation problem is part of the crisis currently being experienced in the overall housing market. The increasing cost of construction and financing are compounding the challenges in supply faced by all the higher education institutes in accommodating their growing student population.

In responding to these challenges, the Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, have the support of the Government and they have developed a number of initiatives, which I have just outlined. For technological universities to thrive and to ensure balanced regional development, there is a need to have more student accommodation in the regions. The technological universities are ready for the challenge and this funding will start them on their path.

The Ministers and their officials welcome the SETU initiative in conducting a feasibility study, in particular the development of an accommodation plan to include 700 new beds in Carlow and another 700 in Waterford. The assessment will be progressed with the Department and the HEA in the coming months, in conjunction with the overall TU feasibility process for student accommodation.

The Department is working with the relevant Departments to explore the development of a specific borrowing framework for TUs. The Department will consider the identification and reuse of vacant premises which may be particularly suitable for regional locations. Officials met with the County and City Management Association on 24 May to explore the use of vacant properties as an option for the supply of student accommodation.

The rent-a-room scheme has been expanded to include local authority tenancies, and the income earned from the scheme will not be included in assessing medical card eligibility. Work is ongoing across all relevant Departments to progress the implementation of these and other changes. I am pretty sure if the Deputy looks for a meeting with the Minister, Deputy Harris, or the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, it will happen.

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