Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Through budget 2025, we secured €6 million of annual recurrent funding to support the activation of up to 1,200 student accommodation beds in regional campus locations. A leasing programme is being developed as a key deliverable arising from the recent TU student accommodation study. At least 30% of the beds delivered through this programme will be provided at below market rate to a target cohort of students.

In addition, €1 million in annual funding has been secured to provide staffing resources in the sector to build a dedicated capacity for examining and addressing campus needs with regard to student accommodation and supports for students in accessing accommodation. A further €500,000 will be invested in developing campus action plans to identify and address accommodation and sustainable transport needs for the colleges and students in accessing their education. This builds on the investment of €100 million in State support for the first time to deliver student accommodation through the national development plan under our Department’s short-term activation programme. This funding enabled activation of the student accommodation project for UCD for the delivery of 493 beds. It is planned that construction will commence on this project in 2025, subject to successful completion of due diligence assessments and the tender process. The funding also enabled progression of projects at Maynooth University and DCU. I am pleased that the Maynooth project is currently at construction stage with expected delivery of 116 beds in September 2025. DCU’s project is progressing through the tender process and, subject to successful completion of this process, is expected on site in quarter 1 of 2025.

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