Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Am I to take it from what the Minister has said that it is his view that it is appropriate to have increases, as long they comply with the RPZ legislation? As I am sure the Minister is aware, there is huge stress on students, as well as mental health and well-being issues for students who cannot find affordable accommodation. There are ever-longer commutes. This has impacted students’ education. It is also impacting student choice because students increasingly feel that they can only apply to the college closest to them and do not have the range of choice of different third level education institutions around the country.

Some providers of student accommodation are circumventing the RPZ rules by not increasing the rent above the levels permitted under those rules but introducing additional charges which are not discretionary and which the students must pay. What are the Minister and the Government doing to address that and to stop the circumventing of the RPZ rules?

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