Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I do. I have had many conversations with university presidents where I have pointed out that student accommodation needs to be a core part of their offering because it affects their ability to attract or retain students, students’ mental health and well-being and their overall education experience. I am not saying it is widespread, but there is an idea that “we are a university; we do education and you do housing”. No, student accommodation is a core part of the university experience and the students' well-being and is part of the universities’ contribution to the national effort to maximise housing supply. That message has landed well with universities. My message to them is that they should not tell me there is a student accommodation problem without coming forward with what the universities can do on their lands. We will not simply say that it is a great plan but will support them with money from the people of this country to help make those projects a reality.

Deputy O’Sullivan asked about regulation. It is something I am considering. I am engaging with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage but it is a careful balance. I do not want to overly regulate somebody’s spare room or put off someone renting out a room if it becomes overly burdensome but it is something I am looking at.

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