Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)

I will have to look into that.

The Minister said he recently approved funding of €67 million but that funding was announced in April 2024. It is not new funding. There is no mention of DCU, which has gone to tender and already has plans in place. All it is waiting for is permission to go ahead. This fund of €100 million was announced back in 2024; it is not new funding. Is there going to be new funding for student accommodation? I accept that giving extra money for accommodation and travel is a good thing but these people do not want to have to travel. Long commutes are causing huge issues for their mental health and are interfering with their studies. They want to be able to live on campus.

Regarding UCD, the cost of on-campus accommodation there is an eye-watering €11,888, the dearest in the State. Something needs to be done about this.

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