Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To be clear, when we take policy decisions, we announce them and tell people about them. It is a good and important thing that we tell our stakeholders and bosses, namely, the people of Ireland what the Government has decided. Let us be clear. The Government decided this week, on my recommendation, to adopt a new approach to student accommodation. The Government has decided that we will use taxpayers' hard-earned money to help to build student accommodation. In terms of hope, that will mean 521 more beds going to construction this year at DCU and Maynooth University. It will mean enabling me to advance and bring to conclusion conversations with UCD, Trinity, DCU, UL and NUI Galway about more they can do. That is hope. It is extra accommodation and beds that can be delivered in projects that have planning permission.

The Deputy asked a fair question about the technological universities. The next phase is not about gathering data. We have done that through 22,801 students. All the universities have engaged in the process. The next bit is about asking them to send forward their proposals to inform my engagement with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the capital review. I would like to see those proposals back by the end of this quarter.

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