Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

65. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will engage with educational institutions, representatives of students and student accommodation providers as colleges and universities return in view of the unique challenges which students and providers face due to Covid-19. [22628/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am conscious of the pressures challenges faced by students regarding student accommodation this year due to financial pressures and the blended learning format of the 2020/21 academic year. Throughout the last number of months my Department has been engaging with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. My Department, in consultation with these key stakeholders will continue to monitor the situation relating to student accommodation closely.

My Department chairs an Interdepartmental Working Group on Student Accommodation. This group contains representatives from Higher Education Institutions, the Union of Students in Ireland and a number of government departments. It is intended to convene a meeting of this group shortly to discuss the accommodation issues faced by students due to COVID-19.