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

We are developing a new student accommodation strategy to identify accommodation needs and responses in campus locations, in line with the long-term student accommodation policy adopted earlier this year. The strategy will encompass all demand. However, there is a key emphasis on providing State support for the most disadvantaged students who cannot participate in the market and who require and receive assistance to attend higher education. The strategy will include measures to increase the supply of State-supported student accommodation, reduce the cost of delivery through standardised design guidance and promote efficient use of existing building stock through refurbishment and examination of vacancy. These measures will support balanced regional development through the technological university feasibility study, and the promotion of sustainable transport links and digs accommodation.

The allocation of €6 million in annual funding in budget 2025 will support the activation of up to 1,200 student accommodation beds in regional locations. This leasing programme is being developed as a key deliverable from the TU feasibility study informed by the existing planning pipeline. The long-term student accommodation policy has also identified digs accommodation as an additional source of student accommodation. As of 30 September, there are 462 beds available through digs accommodation in Galway.

The initial accommodation proposal received from the University of Galway under the short-term activation initiative was withdrawn by the vendor, and this was notified to the HEA by the university.

My Department does not hold details on proposed or ongoing private purpose-built student accommodation developments other than what is available to the public via the planning system. The most recent building information data supplied, which is from August 2024, indicates that work is under way on site on an additional 403 bed spaces and that planning permission has been obtained for a further 1,669 beds in the Galway city area.

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