Written answers

Tuesday, 8 March 2022

Department of Education and Skills

Student Accommodation

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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110. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the current plans for student accommodation are providing affordable accommodation for third-level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12875/22]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am very conscious of the challenges faced by students in relation to student accommodation, and my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are working closely together on these issues.

Fundamentally the underlying issue is one of supply and there is a need to increase the supply of all types of accommodation including student accommodation. That is why Government launched Housing for All led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage which sets out a series of actions which will be delivered to address the housing crisis backed by a transformative budget of €20 billion. 

Current construction costs are acting as a deterrent to institutions in proceeding with new developments. My Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are continuing to consider options that may be open to us to support increased supply within affordable rental levels.

I have also written to all universities, technological universities and institutes of technology asking them to identify any potential local solutions which could contribute to increased supply ahead of the next academic year. This may involve the repurposing of existing buildings.

On affordability, restrictions have also been put in place to limit the amount that students can be required to pay up front for their accommodation, ending the practice whereby students were required to pay a lump sum up front each term. The total amount that anyone is required to pay to a landlord by way of a deposit or an advance rent payment to secure a tenancy to no more than the equivalent of 2 months’ rent - that is one month’s rent, and one month’s deposit. In addition, student accommodation is subject to Rent Pressure Zone caps.

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