Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Farrell for her kind wishes.

Last month, the Taoiseach and I announced the capital investment of €100 million from the national development plan windfall allocation for the delivery of student accommodation projects. This enables the activation of phase 1 of UCD's 493-bed project and the progression of the Maynooth 116-bed project to the construction stage and the DCU project of 405 beds through the tender stage. These projects are part of the short-term activation measures to stimulate supply of projects which had planning permission but had stalled.

The long-term policy approach was approved by my predecessor and the Government on 16 January 2024. This policy will inform the new student accommodation strategy which will be developed throughout 2024 and will include a series of stakeholder consultations. Interdepartmental and expert advisory groups are being established and will inform the responses. The policy approach includes measures for increasing supply of student accommodation, reducing cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance and promoting efficient use of existing stock and vacancy while supporting balanced regional development. It will continue to have a focus on the provision of digs accommodation.

The technological university feasibility study has established an account of available student accommodation supply and has projected future supply and demand on a national and regional level. Phase 2 of the study is under way to identify project proposals to meet the future demand for student accommodation. A number of delivery mechanisms are being examined as part of this process.

It is my intention to develop a programmatic approach to facilitate future student accommodation proposals. This work will provide a framework of delivery models and funding options that will be regionally tailored. The HEA will provide its next phase report to my Department by the end of May 2024. This approach, coupled with the study on standardised design for student accommodation, which is due for completion by the end of quarter 4, will help to shape the future delivery of accommodation for our students.

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