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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 64 together.

I am committed to progressing a new policy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation. In April, the Taoiseach and I announced capital investment of €100 million from the national development plan windfall allocation for delivery of student accommodation projects. This enables the activation of 1,014 beds in UCD, DCU and Maynooth. Our long-term policy was approved by the Government on 16 January 2024. The approach includes measures for increasing supply of student accommodation through State support, reducing cost of delivery through standardised design guidance, and promoting efficient use of existing stock and vacancy while supporting balanced regional development.

The policy will continue to focus on the provision of digs accommodation. It is important to recognise the role and provision of supply from the private sector in key campus locations, as I said previously to Deputy Farrell. We have extended measures under the rent a room scheme to increase supply for students, including an income disregard for SUSI and medical card eligibility, and expansion for local authority tenants to participate in the scheme for students. The Minister for housing and his officials are expediting legal changes to restrict 51-week lease agreements for students who do not require them.

Current supply figures indicate that 14,599 new beds have been built since 2017. Of these, nearly 1,500 were completed in 2023. Work is under way on site on an additional 2,090 bed spaces, while planning permission has been obtained for a further 10,986 beds. Planning applications in respect of a further 2,016 beds have been sought. As of 31 May, our higher education institutions have indicated that there are approximately 2,221 beds available in digs accommodation nationally.

See this speech in context