Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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216. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding affordable student housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27877/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Student Accommodation Strategy (NSAS) was published in July of 2017 and was delivered as part of the Government’s housing strategy Rebuilding Ireland. The National Student Accommodation Strategy is an important element of the overall housing strategy, in ensuring that increased levels of student accommodation are available to meet the needs of our growing student cohort.

As of the end of May this year 2,990 bed spaces have been completed since the launch of Rebuilding Ireland.  Countrywide, there are 7,017 bedspaces being built, 2,354 of which will be available for the coming academic year, with over 2,800 the following year.

The potential pipeline of accommodation is also encouraging.  7,017 bed spaces have been granted planning permission. We should therefore meet, if not exceed, the Rebuilding Ireland targets of 7,000 purpose built bed spaces by the end of 2019 and 21,000 bed spaces by 2024.

My Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government are working with The Union of Students Ireland to support the #HomesforStudy campaign which promotes the provision of ‘digs’ accommodation for students as an alternative to both purpose built student accommodation and the general rental market, and have provided funding to the USI for this purpose. The 2018 #HomesforStudy campaign was launched today the 25^thof June.