James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. She mentioned the audiovisual room presentations and so forth. As I have told the House this morning, I am a new Minister and am reading into the brief. If Members know of groups or interested parties who wish to engage with me, they should feel free to direct them my way. I cannot guarantee I will meet everybody every time but I will do my best to meet with stakeholder groups and take their points on board.

As the Deputy will know, digs accommodation is a long-established and traditional source of student accommodation that remains popular. I will continue to encourage and support it. We need as many rooms and accommodation options as possible. I am committed to making sure that the student experience and quality of student life remain as high as possible. I am conscious of students having long commutes and how that can detract from college life. Ultimately, student accommodation is needed in all its forms. It is something I am sure we will return to in these debates and something I will be focusing on.

The Deputy's question is on the need to safeguard students in digs accommodation and how that might be done. In line with the Housing for All objectives to increase protections in the private rental accommodation sector, in 2023 my Department published a voluntary regulatory framework and sample licence agreement for use by students and homeowners. This identified the key issues to consider when entering a licence agreement for digs accommodation. Previously, it was somewhat ad hoc and more of a private contractual relationship. I hope that guidance has been helpful. That licence agreement should be of assistance to those entering into such arrangements. That framework and licence agreement are on the Government website. I can send them to the Deputy if she does not have them but they are certainly available online. They have also been shared with all higher education institutions to allow them to be included on their respective student accommodation websites. We are trying to get that message and that sample agreement document out there.

My Department also offers economic support for students experiencing financial difficulties. The student assistance fund can assist students in third level institutions who are experiencing exceptional financial need. That is available to students who are unable to meet costs associated with day-to-day participation, including the payment of rent and utility bills. We had a discussion about SUSI grants and different supports a few moments ago but these are additional supports for students in exceptional circumstances. I will engage further in my supplementary replies.

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