Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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425. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the discussions her officials have had with private third-level accommodation providers regarding a refund of fees due to the Covid-19 closure of colleges; the discussions her officials have had with the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that such providers refusing refunds are not eligible for Covid-19 supports from the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14132/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is working with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. I understand based on the information available to me that students in university-owned accommodation will receive pro-rata refunds if they have vacated their accommodation. While I would wish to see this principle applied in the case of students who were residing in privately owned student accommodation, it is not within my remit to direct any accommodation provider to offer a refund.

Refund or cancellation policies in student accommodation should be set out in the license agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. In the first instance students should engage with their accommodation provider to see if an arrangement can be reached in regard to a refund.

If this is not possible, under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 students have access to the Dispute Resolution Services of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

The eligibility criteria for businesses seeking to access to Covid-19 supports are a matter for the Department(s) administering those supports, and my Department has no role in deciding those criteria.