Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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293. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the activity that is being considered by his Department and the local authority to target vacant buildings in terms of providing additional student accommodation places in Waterford city given the student accommodation deficit in the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60074/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since taking up office, both my Department officials and I have engaged and continue to engage on an ongoing basis with the Minister and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the wider higher education sector and relevant stakeholders on student accommodation issues including within the context of the advancement of the Government's Housing for All policy. My Officials have also met a number of times with the TU's including SETU Waterford in relation to student accommodation provision. this engagement is ongoing.

I am pleased to confirm Government has approved my proposal this week to directly intervene in the delivery of student accommodation. Furthermore, the Government has also approved investment in preparing Technological Universities to build student accommodation, which will include assessment of regional needs and vacant stock. This work will commence in early 2023 and will include engagement with local authorities.

In addition, my officials are engaging closely with DHLGH to ensure a collaborative approach to the provision of new and additional accommodation. Supporting the development of student accommodation responses in key areas will enable TU’s to further develop facilities for students. Government’s Housing For All policy contains a commitment to support TUs to develop student accommodation where such a requirement exists, through access to appropriate financing. In this context it is now anticipated that any borrowing framework for TUs would in the first instance prioritise the provision of student accommodation in line with commitments in the Government's Housing for All plan.

Government support has been obtained to commence an examination for the development of a TU borrowing framework for the purposes of student accommodation. Both my Department and I are of the view that enabling appropriate access to finance is one of the significant requirements for the delivery by higher education institutions of student accommodation. My Department and the HEA are liaising with the TUs to support them to assess their student accommodation needs and develop strategic approaches to additional accommodation delivery. In relation to vacant properties, my Department is examining expanding its remit to allow for third level institutions repurpose vacant properties.