Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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1339. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 19 May 2022, the number of on-campus student accommodation places or places in accommodation owned by institutes of higher education that have been added to the system in the past year; the steps being taken to increase the number of on-campus, institution-owned accommodation places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27114/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The difficulties faced by students in accessing affordable student accommodation is an issue which Government and I are actively pursuing. This issue is heightened by the shortage of accommodation in the wider private rental market. Government is committed to addressing supply of affordable student accommodation attending publicly funded higher education institutions in Ireland.

Through "Housing for All", the Government has approved a policy and funding for State supported purpose built student accommodation so as to ensure increased supply of student accommodation. At the heart of the new policy is a commitment to deliver student accommodation to those most in need, and to provide it at affordable rates.

This policy has resulted in the State directly supporting the construction of over 1,100 new student accommodation units in the short term. In addition, my officials are continuing to assess a number of other projects with planning permission for delivery of additional supply.

The table below outlines the number of beds currently available per HEI, in addition to outlining the number we are progressing through the short term activation programme and also the additionality to be available for the 2023/24 academic year. As reported on in May 2022 there were 929 bed spaces with work underway. 255 of these for delivery in UCC have been completed, with the remaining 674 in UG progressing for delivery for the upcoming academic year.

* includes nomination agreements for 639 beds

Supply figures sourced from HEA data as of April 2023 indicate that since 2016 12,929 purpose built student beds have been built in a combination of privately and HEI owned. Total Level of stock is 46,794.

Government has approved funding of €1m to support the Technological Universities in the development of student accommodation strategies and feasibility studies and to determine demand and supply levels on a regional and national basis.

Department officials are also examining the development of a specific Capital Devolved Grant to provide assistance for the development of or refurbishment of suitable properties for use as student accommodation.