Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is a very fair question. I was looking back at figures while the Deputy was asking the question. We have approved €59 million worth of taxpayer investment in student accommodation projects, just since last December - certainly we did some before Christmas and some after Christmas. This has allowed projects to move forward in Dublin City University, Maynooth University, University of Galway and University of Limerick. The next ones we are now looking at are another three potential projects: one each in UCD, Trinity College, and UCC. I hope to bring further proposals to Cabinet very shortly over the summer months. As the Deputy will be aware, UCD has planning permission to develop up to 1,254 beds. Trinity College has planning permission for 358 beds at Dartry. UCC has planning permission for 243 beds. These are the next three projects I am working on intensively.

It is not a funding issue. We have provided €59 million. We also must make sure, working with the Office of the Attorney General, that we comply with state aid rules.

See this speech in context