Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is actually a very interesting piece of information and I thank the Minister. On digs accommodation, it is very welcome that the scheme has been broadened, especially as I consider the likes of University of Galway and the Atlantic Technological University, ATU. The changing of the eligibility requirements to avail of using the rent-a-room scheme is very welcome, especially in and around the ATU, which in the area I live.

The issue is digs accommodation. Of course, they are not the ideal. When people go to college, generally they want to have the experience of living with their friends, and to do all of those things we were able to do at that age when housing was a different situation.

The other issue is the regulation of digs accommodation. We have all heard the horror stories about students who have not been able to cook, those who have not been able to lock their rooms, those who have been told at a moment's notice of room inspections and so on. When does the Minister expect regulation of digs accommodation to come in?

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