Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the Minister's earlier announcement in respect of legislation to ensure that students are not locked into 51-week leases. I also commend the USI on its serious campaigning on the matter. I was hoping to get a bit of clarification as to whether that will include digs accommodation. The USI's 2023 student digs survey included stark findings. Only 11% of students reported having access to a bathroom, fridge, iron, living room, oven, stove, television, washing machine and dryer. Some 59% lived in digs only because of the lack of alternatives and 57% of those students said that they would move out of digs if they could. Students availing of digs should not be left vulnerable without legal rights or safeguards and students can see themselves on the streets without notice. It is obviously a very serious concern overall.

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