Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 538: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the student accommodation taskforce will be set up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18552/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Student accommodation provided on college campuses is primarily the responsibility of the Department of Education and Science and the Third Level Colleges themselves. Insofar as tax incentives for the provision of student accommodation are concerned, these are a matter for the Department of Finance.

With regard to accommodation provided for students in the broader housing market, my Department's role is as part of its overall responsibility for the regulation of the private rental sector. An accommodation taskforce for students does not come within my Department's remit. However, following a meeting with student representatives in October 2007, I am proposing, with my colleague the Minister for Education and Science, to co-fund a study with that Department on the availability of student accommodation in the Dublin Region. I have asked the Private Residential Tenancies Board to undertake this study which will commence shortly.

A steering group has been established to oversee progress on the study and the first meeting of the group will take place this month. Officials from my Department, the Department of Education and Science and representatives from both the Union of Students in Ireland and the Private Residential Tenancies Board will participate in the group.